Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 31, Number 348, 23 January 1907 — Page 7

Page Seven . Is? The Mystery of Agatha Webb, By Anna Katharine Green. Autho Of The XMTesvortb Case," "Lost IXaa'a lAne," "Hand and r-ij," Tis.. rti

The Richmond Palladium, Wednesday, January 23, 190 7.

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"Do youwonder that I endeavored to keep this secret, bought at sucb a price and sealed by the death of her I thought ray mother and of her who - really was? Gentlemen, Mr. Suther land really lored his wife and honored her memory. To tell him, as I shall hare to within the hour, that the child he placed In his arms 25 years ago was an alien and that all his love, bis care, his disappointment and his suf ferings had been lavished on the son of a neighbor, required greater courage than to face doubt Jn the faces of my fellow townsmen or anything, in short, but absolute arraignment on the charge of murder. Henee my silence, hence my indecision, till this woman here" he pointed a scornful finger at Amabel now shrinking in her chair "drove me to It by secretly threatening me with a testimony which would have made me the murderer of my mother and the lasting disgrace of a good man who alone has been without blame from the beginning to the end of this desperate affair. She was about to speak when I forestalled her." That afternoon before the Inquest broke up the 'jury brought In their verdict. It was: "Death by means of a wound Inflicted upon herself in a moment of terror and misapprehension." 'It was all his fellow townsmen could do for Frederick. . CHAPTER XXIV. FATHER AKD SOX. But Frederick's day of trial was not yet over. 'There was a closed door to open, a father to see (as in his heart he still called Mr. Sutherland). Then there were friends to face, and foes, under conditions he, better than any one else, knew were in some regards made worse rather than better by the admissions and revelations of this eventful lay Agnes, for - Instance. How could he meet her pure gaze? But It was his father he must first confront, his father to whom he would have to repeat in private the tale which robbed the best of men of a past and took from him a son, almost a wife, without leaving him one memo-j ry calculated to console him. Frederick was so absorbed in this anticipation that he scarcely noticed the two or three- timid hands stretched out in enoi i;.nt toward him and was movwhich his father had disappeared so many hours before, when be was recalled to the Interests of the moment by a single word, uttered not very far from him. It was simply. "Well?" Cut It was uttered by Knapp and repeated by Mr. Courtney. Frederick shuddered and was hurry-

ing on when he found himself stopped ceived by the jury there were many of by a piteous figure that, with appealing his fellow townsmen who were ready eyes and timid gestures, stepped up be- to show dissatisfaction at his being alfore him. It was Amabel. ! lowed to return In freedom to that "Forgive!" she murmured, looking tome where he had still every prospect like a pleading saint. "I did not know, of being called the young master. I never dreamed you were so much of Doubt, that seed of ramlfyfag growth, a man. Frederick; that you bore sucb a had been planted in more than one heart, cherished such griefs, was so breast, and while it failed as yet to worthy of love and a woman's adralra- break out Into any open, manifestation tlon. If I had" there were evidences enough In the Her expression was eloquent, more very restraint risible In such groups of eloquent than he had ever seen it, for people as they passed that suspiciou

n naa real reeling in it, but be put ber coldly by. "When my father's white hairs become black again, and' the "story or my ha rue Is forgotten in this never forgetting world, then come-back and I will forgive you." And be was passing on when another touch' detained him. He turned, this lime In some impatience, only to meet I be frank eyes of Sweetwater. As he knew very little of this young man ave that he was the amateur detective who had by some folly of his own been rarrwd o.T on the Helper and who was roLaW.v the only man saved from its wm-k !; was about to greet him with foaie ..r.nonplace phrase of congratulation when. Sweetwater interrupted him with the following words: "I only wanted to say that it may be rasler for you to approach your father with the revelations you are about to make if you knew that in his present frame of mind he Is much more likely to be relieved by such proofs of innocence as yon can give him than overwhelmed by such as show the lack of kinship between yoa. For two weeks Mr. Sutherland has been- bending under the belief of your personal criminality in this matter of Mrs. Webb's death. This was his secret, which was shared by me." "By you?" "Yes, by me. I am more clos. .lied to this affair than you can .'.y Imagine Some day I may be a;ue to explain myself, but not now. Only remember what I have said about your father pardon me, Mr. Sutherland and act accordingly. Perhaps It was to tell you this I was forced back here r gainst my will and best interest by the strongest series of events that ever happened to a man. But." he added, with a sidelong look at the group of men still hovering about the coroner's lable. "I had rather think it was for ome more Important office stilL But Ihls the future will show, the future which I seem to see lowering In the faces over there." . And. waiting for no reply, he melted Into the crowd. - Frederick passed at once to his father. No one Interrupted Frederick after he had shut that door behind him. but the Urge crowd that In the halls and on the steps of the building awaited bis reappearance showed that the public Interest was still warm in a matter affecting so deeply the heart and Interests of their best citizen. When, therefore, that long closed door finally opened and Frederick was seen esrortlng Mr. Sutherland on his arm, the tide of feeling which had not yet inbsided since Agatha's letters were read vented Itself In one great sob of relief, for Mr. Sutherland's face was palmer thau when they had last seen t and his step more assured, and he HmBl C 02ft Alaaeif 1aa an riad-i

CopjjigM, 1900, by Anna Katharine Green.

erica's arm. as tr to impress upon an who saw them that the ties of years cannot be shaken off so easily and that he still looked upon Frederick as his con. But he was not contented with this dumb show, eloquent as It was. As the crowd parted and these two Imposing figures took their way down the steps to the carriage which had been seut for them Mr. Sutherland cast one deep and long glance about him on faces he knew and faces he did not know, on those who were near and those who were far, and, raising his voice, which did not tremble as much as might have been expected, said deliberately: "My son accompanies me to his home. If he should afterward be wanted, he "My ton accompantet me to hi home. " will be found at his own fireside. Good day, my friends. I thank you for the good will you bare this day shown us both." Then he entered the carriage. The solemn way in which Frederick bared his head in acknowledgment of this public recognition of the hold be still retained on this one faithful heart : struck awe Into the hearts of all who saw it. So that the carriage rolled , off in silence, closing one of the most thrilling and Impressive scene ever witnessed In that time wern village. CII AFTER XXV. FREDERICK ARRESTED. But. alas, all tides have their ebb as well as flow, and before Mr. Sutherland and Frederick were well out of the main street the latter became aware that notwithstanding the respect with which his explanations bad been rehad not been suppressed or his innocence established by the overfavorable Terdict of the coroner's Jury. To"MrI SufherlandT sfiffeilng "now from the reaction following all great efforts, much, if not all, of this quiet but significant display of public feeling passed unnoticed. But to Frederick, alive to the least look, the least sign that his story had not been accepted unquestioned, this passage through tho town was the occasion of the most poignant suffering. For not only did these marks of public suspicion bespeak possible arraignment in the future, but through them It became evident that even if he escaped open condemnation in the courts be could never hope for complete rein statement before the world, nor, what was to him a still deepor source of despair, anticipate a day when Agnes love and domestic happiness should make amends to him for the grief and errors of his more than wayward youth. lie could never marry so pure a being while the shadow of crime separated him from the mass of human beings, ller belief in his innocence and the exact truth of his story (and he was k confident she did believe him) could make no difference In this conclusion. While he was regarded openly or in dark corners or beside the humblest fireside as a possible criminal neither Mr. Sutherland nor ber father nor his own heart even would allow him to offer her anything but a friend's gratitude or win from her anything but a neighbor's sympathy, yet in bidding goodby to larger hopes and more Important desires he parted with the better part of his heart and the only solace remaining In this world for the boundless griefs and tragic experiences of his still young life. He had learned to love through suffering, only to realize that the very nature of his suffering forbade him to indulge In love. And this seemed, even in this hour of public Justification, a final Judgment. He had told his story and been for the moment believed, but what was there in his life, what was there in the facts as witnessed by others, what was there in his mother's letters and the revelation of their secret relationship to cor roborate his assertions or to prove that ber band and not his had held the weapon when the life blood gushed from ber devoted breast? Nothing, nothing; only his word to stand against all human probabilities and natural Inference, only his word and the generous nature of the great hearted woman who had thus perished. Though a dozen of his fellow dtiiens had by their verdict professed their belief la bis word and given Lira the benefit of a doubt involving bis life as well as bia honor, he as well as they knew that neither the police nor the general public were given to sentimentality and that the question of his guilt still lav cp?n mut raio till hia lxij I

aay. ror rroin the nature of things no

proof of the truth was probable. Batsy being dead, only God and his own heart could know that the facts of that awful half hour were as be bad told them. Had God In his Justice removed In this striking way his only witness as a punishment for his sins and his mad indulgence in acts so little short of crime as to partake of its guilt and merit its obloquy ? He was asking himself this question as he bent to fasten the gate. His father had passed in. The carriage had driven off. and the road was almost solitary, but not quite. As he leaned his arm over the gate and turned to take a final glance down the hillside he saw with what feelings no one will ever know the light figure of Agnes advancing on the arm of her father. He would have drawn back, but a better impulse Intervened, and he stood his ground. Mr. Halliday, who walked very close to Agnes, cast ber an admonitory glance, which Frederick was not slow in Interpreting, then stopped reluctantly, perhaps because he saw her falter, perhaps because be knew that an Interview between these two was unavoidable and had best be quickly over. Frederick found his voice first. "Agnes." said he. "I am glad of this opportunity for expressing my gratitude. You have acted like a friend and have earned my eternal consideration, even if we never speak again." There was a momentary silence. Her heart, which had drooped under his greeting, rose again. 'Her eyes, humid with feeling, sought his face. "Why do you speak like that?" said she. "Why shouldn't we meet? Does not every one recognize your innocence, and will not the whole world soon see. as I have, that you have left the old life behind and have only to be your new self to win every one's regard r "Agnes," returned Frederick, smiling sadly as he observed the sudden alarm visible In ber father's face at these enthusiastic words, "you know me perhaps better than "others do and are prepared to believe my words and my more than unhappy story. But there are few Agnesea In the world. People in general will not acquit me, and If there was only one person who doubted" Mr, Halliday began to look' relieved "I would fail to give any promise of the new life you hope to se me lead If I allowed the shadow undvr which I undoubtedly rest to fall In the remotest way across yours. You and I have been friends and will continue such, but we will hold little intercourse in future, bard as 1 find it to say so. Does not Mr. Halliday consider this right? As your father he must." . Agnes' eyes, leaving Frederick's for a moment, sought her father's. Alas, there was no mistaking their language. Sighing deeply, she again hung ber bead. "Too much care for people's opinion." she murmured, "and too little for what is best and noblest in. us. "I do not recognize the necessity of a farewell between us any more than I recognize that any one who saw and beard you today can believe In your guilt." "But there are ro man- who did no riaf"atld see me. ' ntsrTes"" here he turned a little and pointed to the garden in his rear, for the past week a man I need not state who or under what authority he acts has been to hiding under that arbor watching my every movement and almost counting my sighs. Yesterday he left for a short space, but today he is back. What does that argue, dear friend? Innocence completely recognized does not call for such guardianship." i The slight frame of the young girl bending so innocently toward him shuddered involuntarily at this, and her eyes, frightened and flashing, swept over the arbor before returning to his face. "If there Is a watcher there and if such a fact proves you ta be in danger of arrest for a crime you never com mitted, then it behooves your friends to show where they stand In this mat ter and by lending th2ir sympathy give you courage and power to meet the trials before you." "Not when they are young girls,1 murmured Frederick, and, casting a glance at Mr. Halliday. he stepped softly back. Agnes fiu shed and yielded to her fa ther's gentle pressure. "Goodby, my friend." she said, the quiver In her tones sinking deep Into Frederick's- heart. "Some day it will be good morrow," and her head, turned back over her shoulder, took on a, beau tiful radiance that fixed itself forever In the hungry heart of him who watched it disappear. When, she was quite gone, a man. not the one whom Frederick had described as lying in hiding In the arbor, but a different one in fact, no other than our old friend the constable advanced around the corner of the house and presented a paper to him. It was the warrant 'for his arrest on a charge of murder. CHAPTER XXYI. SAVED. Frederick's arrest had been conducted so quietly that no hint of the matter reached theillage before the next morning Then the whole town broke fntr uproar, and business was not only suspended, but the streets and docks overflowed with gesticulating- men and excited women, carrying on in every corner and aeross innumerable doorstepsthe endless debate which such an action on the part f the police necessarily opened. But the most agitated face, though the stillest tongue, was not to be seen In. town, that morning, bat in a little cottage on. an. arid hill slope overlookIns the sea. Here Sweetwater sat and commuued with his great monitor, the ocean, and only from his flashing" eye aud tb fixw.fcet.oCbis, Up vuld th !

A

Eel iliviiier vi Jsweetwater see uat tuo crisis of her son's life was rapidly approaching and that on the outcome of this long brooding rested not only his own self satisfaction, but the Interests of the man most dear to- them. Suddenly from that far horizon upon which Sweetwater's eye rested with a look that was almost a demand came an answer that flushed him with a hope as great as it was unexpected. Bounding to his feet, he confronted his mother with eager eyes and outstretched hand. "Give me money; all the money we have in the house. I have an idea that Here Sweetwater sat and communed with hin great monitor. may be worth all .1 can'ever make or can ever hope to have. If It succeeds, we save Frederick Sutherland; if it fails, I have only to meet another of Knapp's scornful looks. But it won't fail. The inspiration came from the sea. and the sea, you know, is my second mother." What this inspiration was be did not say. but It carried him presently into town and landed him in the telegraph office. The scene later in the day, when Frederick entered the village under the guardianship of the police, was indescribable. Mr. Sutherland had insisted upon accompanying him, and when that well loved figure and white head were recognized the throng which had rapidly collected in the thoroughfare leading to the depot succumbed to the feelings occasioned by this devotion and fell Into a wondering silence. Frederick had never looked better. There is something in the extremity of fate which brings out a man's best characteristics, and this man, having much that was good In him.' showed it at that moment as never before In his short but overeventful life. A the carriage stopped before the- courthouse on its way to the train a glimpse was giv en of bis handsome head to those who had followed him closest, and as there became visible for the first time in hi3 face, so altered under bis troubles, a likeness to their beautiful and com manding Agatha a murmur broke out around him that was half a wail and half a groan and which affected him so that he turned from his father, whose hand he was secretly holding, and. taking the whole scene in with one Cash of his eye. was about to speak, when a sudden hubbnb brokf ont in. the dlrct:tm 'ef 't5e feTegrspn C-ZTce; and a mat was seen rushing down the street holding a paper high over his head. It was Sweetwater. , , "News!" he cried. "Newsf A cablegram from the Azores! A Swedish sailor" . But here a man with more authority than the amateur detective pushed his way to the carriage and took off his hat to Mr. Sutherland. . "I beg your pardcn, said he. "but the prisoner will n&t leave town, today, lai-. Dcrtaat' evidence has Just reached us."

"CHEEKY 'MOME

It is the common expression you hear applied to the house that is well supplied with plants during the winter months. They lend an air of comfort to the home and remind one of the balmy days of the warmer months. A fern is especially an attractive plant for indoors during the winter. Practically everyone in Richmond possesses either a Sword fern or a Boston fern, and have enjoyed having them about. Knowing the great popularity of ferns, therefore, the Palladium obtained the exclusive right to offer in connection with the paper three of the Whitmanii ferns to each sibscriber. The Whitmanii fern is a variation of the Sword and Boston ferns and completely outshines them in beauty besides being as hardyThe Whitman!! fern is an ideal indoor plant and has only to be seen to be wanted. If the solicitors have not yet visited you let tne Palladium office know and a sample Whitmanii fern will be sent to you as quickly as possible, together with the terms under which you may obtain it.

Air. utneriunu saw that it was in Frederick's favor and fainted on his son's neck. As the people beheld his head fall forward and observed the look with which Frederick received him in his arms they broke into a great -shout. "News!" they shrieked. "Newst Frederick Sutherland is innocent! See, the old man has fainted from joyT' And caps went up and tears fell before a mother's son . of them knew what grounds they had for their enthusiasm. Later they found they were good and substantial ones. Sweetwater had remembered the group of sailors who had passed by the corner of Agatha's house just as Batsy fell forward on the window sill and cabling to the captain of the vessel at the first port at which they were likely to put In was fortunate enough to receive in reply a communication from one of the men who remembered the words she shouted. They were in Swedish, and none of bis mates had understood them, but he recalled them well. They were: "HJelpi Hjelp! Frun nailer pa alb doda sig. lion har en knif. Iljelp! UJelpf In English: . "Help! Help My mistress kills heraelf ! She has a knife! Help! Help!" The impossible had occurred. Batsy was- not dead, or at least her testimony still remained and had come at Sweetwater's beck from the other side of the sea to save ber mistress' son. Sweetwater was a made man. And Frederick? In a week he was the idol of the town. In a year but let Agnes' contented face and happy smile show what he was then. Sweet Agnes, who first despised, then encouraged, then loved him. and who next to Agatha commanded the open worship of his heart. Agatha is first, must be first, as any one can see who beholds him on a certain anniversary of each year bury his face in the long grass which covers the saddest " and most passionate heart that ever yielded to the pressure of life's deepest tragedy. THE EXD. TVot tSuovafe Evidence. Not many years ago a prominent citizen of Haverhill was arrested for the unlawful sale of liquor. Pn being searched a half flask of brandy was found. That being the only evidence, the Judge charged the jury. They had been out but five minutes when they returned, and the foreman queried: "Tour honor, how do we know the flask contains brandy? I would like to take the flask into the Jury room." He was given the flask, and soon the Jury returned. "Have you agreed?" the foreman was asked. "We have," be answered. "We find the defendant not guilty." And, exhibiting the now empty flask, he added, "There ws not enough evidence to go around." The defendant u discharged. Boston Herald. The Two Wisdom. I ask my pa some questions. Like what makes people grrow and wher the wind has gone to The times. It doesn't blow? Pa. smokes and reads his paper And bums and says, Er oft!" Aad then ha makes this answer; WeB you're too yovng to know." Pa asks me 'bout the fairies And wher-1 saw en hid , And how I knew a.tftgrea Bad irrtte toys- Inside? I look at pa. In pity . , That he mould be so slow. And their I raa&a tbis answer: . W;:. jrsu'r too 5d to inawT McTjwrulburyh WSson ia Judf.

FACTS IN FEW LINES

The fashionable age now for marriage Is from twenty-seven to thirtytwo for women, from thirty to fortyfive for men. The reduction works at Canso, Nova Scotia, handled 1.300 tons of dogfish last year and produced therefrom 9.000 gallons of fish oil. besides 200 tons of fish scrap. which makes a good fertiliser. Mr. Beville Stanter of Peplow Hall, Shropshire, England, who bought the Hawkins collection of British birds recently, sold the Sheffield specimen of the great auk which it contained fot $ 2,000.' The colonial secretary of the Bahamas states la bis report of the islands for 1905-05 that no complaint of error or delay has been received by the telegraph department for fourteen years. The cultivation of rubber is now be ing taught In the schools of west Africa. Every village Is obliged to plant a certain, number of acres In rubber trees. In the Kongo state 12.500,000 rubber trees have been planted. A farmer at Win burg. Orange River Colony, alleges that in his district alone 24.000 sheep are. stolen annually by the natives. On this basis he calcn lates that 300,000 sheep are stolen throughout the colony every year. The first secretary of the Chinese le gation In St Petersburg remarked the other day that the Chinese government has a stronger hold on its people than the Russian baa oo its own and that the Chinese people are less cultivated and more oppressed. The oldest Christian structure In Ireland Is a remarkable, building, evidently very ancient, but wonderfully well preserved, at Dingle, in County Kerry. It is known- as the oratory of Gallerus" and has stood practically uninjured for more than 1.000 years. Jerusalem now has a summer, resort at Rama lab. which is situated several hundred feet higher and commands a view of the Mediterranean. A new hotel has been bnilt there for Europeans by an Arab. Most of the work of construction was done by women, whose wages are 11 cents a day. The public will be surprised to learn that the Englishman apparently hasnt absolute freedom in the choice of the name of bis own child. An unfortunate father, registering his baby girl, told the registrar the name- was Coralie, and be was astonished when be met a refusal on the ground that there is no such name as Coralie. He was compelled to choose another name. The youngest lawyer that ever apr peared before the supreme court of the United States the other day argued in favor of the constitutionality of the North Carolina statute prohibiting the running of bucket shops" in that ftate. He was Walter Clark. Jr.. son of Chief Justice Clark of the supreme court of North Carolina, and be has Just passed his twenty-first birthday. L. C. Bateman of Auburn. Me., has Just come into possession of an extremely rare and valuable curio for bis cabinet. It is an idol from the ruins of Copan. in Central America. It was presented to niin 'by Charles Nason of Sabatis. the well known gunmaker. Mr. Nasoo for many years was located in Costa Rica and other points :n Central v- mnv-husinir coffee. Use artificial gas tor light and heat. 10-tf See how what you nave reard look in print and get a dollar for ctoing it win ton oawa "ttaT srUa. 1

NOTICE, Sale of Electric Light Plant. Notice is hereby Riven that the board of commissioners of Wayne County, state of Indiana, will on Saturday, March 23. 107, offer for sa! at public auction at the court house door In the city of Richmond, the court house electric light plant, complete consisting of the following: One 50 11. P. Russel engine. One dynamo, 30 K. W. 125 vuIUgo. Switchboard, etc. Capacity of 600 lights. Said sale to commence at 10 o'clock a. nw of said day and date. Terms made known on day ?f sale. C. E. WILEY. JOHN F. DYNES, THOS. E. CLARK, Commissioners of Wayne County. 230-6

NOTICE TO BIDDERS' Letting of Bridge Contracts. Notice is hereby given that the Board of County Commissioners of Wayne county. State of Indiana will recJive bids at the office of the Auditor of said County until It o'clock A. M. of Tuesday, February 12th, 1907 for the construction of the following named bridges: Strickler Bridge in Jefferson Township.', Hunt Bridge In Dalton Township. Allen Bridge In Jefferson Township. - . . , Fair Ground Bridge in Jefferson Township. New Oarden Bridge In New Garden Townahip. . ; James Gray Bridge iti Jackson Township. - Jessup Ford Bridge in Boston Township. Frame Bridge In Franklin Township. . . . . Doddridge Bridge in Washington Township, Farther notice is hereby given that plans and specifications for the above named bridges are on .file In the office of the County Auditor ol Wayne County. C. E. WILEY, JOHN F. DYNES. THOS. E. CLARK, Commissioners of Wayne Co. 16 & 23. In China when a werid'ng- Is about to take place the calendar is consulted, and if the signs are not good the wedding is postponed. Sometimes it is necessary to postpone the date several times, and when the signs are auspicious it generally turn out well. The ceremony ceaists In drinking together jt crip of samshoo in the nuptial cham ber. The Coeoesmt Tre-. A large cocoa nut tree yields as many as 100 nuts a year. Natives dm tfi nuts for dishes as well as for food. Very narrow nostrils are unsightly; aL-o they are dangerous, as they are likely to discourage their owner from breathing correctly that is, through the nose. The r-eogn'aed surgical way of treating tlr?in ts to wear In each nostril for a short time daily a small piece of sponge. .-- " : Lesnrmesxe OsMfjMkSo rapid has been thfc cfeamge m the English. language that f the ; English of today bears no' more resemblance to the English of 1.000 years ago than It does to German. The common starfish has five poTnfa sometimes six. Specimens with mote