The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1860-02-02

| iuS Sue pIsbois Ucilcu around MS waist
In those times such sights were not un
usual, and in the absence of public reg
ulations, none esteemed it their duty t,
interfere with the despcrad,, so that he
was left to wander in unrestraincd free
dom. At last, tired out with whoopine
and bowling, he sought the still darkness
of the home which, humble as it was. he
could only detile by his presence, and as
nothing more was heard of him, it was
presumed he sunk into the deep sleep OF
drunkenness.
Next morning, which dawned a bright
and sunny day Of spring, while the ma
jority Of the villagers were partaking Of
their early breakfast, there rang out
sharp and quick on the still air, two shots
in rapid succession. 1t was not an un
common sound, but in less than a mo-
ment, how, none could have told, tht
rumor spread that they had let out a hu
man life, and in an equally Incompetent
sible manner, numerous footsteps turned
toward Ross house, where every one
knew he lay dead
Among the first to arrive, found
Ross fallen in heap at the bedside, as
though he had staggered to it after be-
ing shot, and at the same instant saw
some one pick up pistol lyin. in the
middle Of the floor, and heard them ex-
claim in surprise, "Percivals pistol, by
the powers
| A glance showed me it was one of @
very fine pair | had often handled at his
room, and which bore his name on sill
yer plate on the handle.
| felt overcome by agitation, for
knowing what | did, | did not doubt the
truth of the thought which seemed t.
rise to all, that Pcrcival was the murder.
er. Fearful Of committing myself, OF
compromising him, | walked into the
next room to endeavor to regain my com,
posure.
The shutters were still closed, and the
room in com parative shadow
Walking hasty turn or two, my car
caught a sobbing moan, and with quick
ened attention my eye became conscious
of the movement of white object
crouched in the darkest corner.
To spring to it required but an instant,
and then ! raised in my arms raving,
gibbering maniac, the dreadful wreck OF
oil that had once constituted woman of
the finest type.
"Dead at last" she said, with a hor-
rible laugh that froze my blood. Dead
at last-kiiled, killed." wrcathing her
slender fingers fastastically through the
heavy locks of her black hair.
"Did you know that he struck his own
death sisnal?' she asked, quickly, with
the sharp, penetrating look which is SC
often seen in insanity. "Did you know
that he was warned p - .--- .---
:" Poor thing, you rave" | half mur,
INJURED. as | gently attempted to lay he,
on a rude couch standing at one side O!
the room.
Who said l loved Pcrcival?' she
questioned, showing me roughly aside
and struggling to rise. "Let me see
let me see,' sinking her brow in the
palm of her hand meditatively "Twas
not my own heart, for l trampled it in
the dust, if it dared but whisper as
much. Some one some onc-but he S
dead, he's dead-kiled, killed." And
that was the burden of every thought -
" Do ycu know where he struck his
death knell? Herc-here! And tear
ing the white wrapper from the swan
like neck and breast, which rivaled its
whiteness, she disclosed dark, purplish
red spot, evidently the result Of blt W
There was the cause, but who did the
decd?