Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-12-28

which met his eyes. There was blood
on the curtain, on the window, on the
Coloners chair which stood near it,
and on the ceiling. Across the desk
where the Colonel had placed it, lay
the broadsword, stained with blood.
Something on the carpet, under the
window, attracted the eye of Jones.
He stopped to pick it up and started
back with suppressed cry. 1t was
human hand!
The Colonel picked it up and held
it by the lifeless fingers. 1t was still
warm and dripping blood. 1t had
been cut off just at the wrist.
Suddenly the Colonel turned pale.
Wrapping the member in his handker-
chief, he seized the light and rushed
up stairs.
"'For heavens sake, he cried, with
strange agitation. tell me if you know
this 1t is no time to stand upon GER
emony. Lookp
"And totally regardless of the ef-
feet the horrid sight might have on his
wife, the Colonel in his agitation threw
aside the folds of his handkerchief,
and revealed the hand.
Mrs. FL. started back with horror.
But in an instant turning deadly pale,
she bent eagerly forward, gazed a mo-
ment at the hand, and with a shrek
fell lifeless to the floor.
"The Colonel rushed out and met
Jones on the stairs.
"'Raise no alarm, he said, in a
husky, rapid tone. Go and saddle
my horse and bring him to the door.
Quickr
As soon as Jones had disappeared,
the Colonel went out to see if he could
discover traces of the robber. There
was nothing left but blood which had
gushed out in the grass like rain
The robber was gone.
Mounting his horse and again
charging Jones to alarm no one, the
Colonel rode to the hotel
"After laundering at the door for
some minutes, he succeeded in bring
ing a waiter who admitted him, star
ing in stupid wonder to see young
Morgan's father arrive at such a time,
and with so CHASTITY face.
." Is Morgan II. within !? demanded
the Colonel.
| think he is; | saw him there in
the evening was the reply. Shall
| 90 up and see? ?
"ShOw me to his room, said the
Colonel, striding into the hall.
" The waiter preceded him up the
stairs. Hearing a suppressed groan,
he looked around. The Colone!'s
hand was pressed upon his brow, and
his eye was fixed upon dark spot on
the floor. 1t was a drop of blood!
What is that :? asked the waiter.
"Go on! 90 on : mutteIed the Col
onel, in so savage and husky a voice,
that it had about the same effect as a
sharp bayonet in sending the waiter
/ forward.
They, reached the door of Nor
gan'S room. The Colonel wrung the
door with his iron hand, but the latch
did not yield. Then with his fist he
Numbered on the panel.
"No sound came from within.
He is not in, suggested the waiter.
with a rapid movement the Col
onel held the lamp to the keyhole.-
The point Of the key was visible
The door was locked from the inside.
Leave me, commanded the Colo
mel, turning to the waiter.
Then placing his mouth near the
door, he said, Morgan! l am alone
let me in. 1t is your father that speaks.
"At that moment sharp concus-
sion like the report of a pistol sound.
ed within the room. Then some hea-
Wy body fell to the floor.
"The Colonel staggered against the
bannister, and the waiter who was
watching from below ran up, crying
murder, thinking he was shot.
Hush said the Colonel, in a calm
voice, standing erect and pale as death
before the waiter. Go for an ak or
bar; the door must be broken open.
"In a few moments the lock was
forced and the Colonel, followed by
the landlord and others, rushed into
the room. There was a human body
extended on the floor, which was GOV,
cred with blood.
Horror calculated the waiter
He has cut off his right hand =
And blown out his brains = added
the landlord.
"The Colonel looked at the ghastly
distorted face. 1t was that Of his on
ly son. He was corpsel
"This is the story promised you,
continued my friend. There is still
more to say. Everybody thought the
calamity would kill Mrs. H., but yor
see her now a feeble, sorrow stricken
woman, who never leaves her own
room. except to visit the grave of the
suicide.
"The Colonel is a different man
Since the tragedy he has never beer
seen to smile. He stands like a with
cred oak, dry and stiff, yet strong il
his decay"
We rode to the burying ground
We would have entered and looked a
the tombstone of the erring youth, bu
| shrank from disturbing the contem
plation of the mourners.
Mrs. Fl. was over the marble slab
and shedding tears which ran dowr
her thin face like rain. The Colone
stood near by, erect; his arms folded
on his chest, and his cold gray eye!
: fixed on the grave with look OF
speechless grief. We left them alone
with the dead.
ASKING DIRECTIoNs.-"Can you di
rect me to the-Hotel ?" inquired
a gentleman with carpet-bag of {
burly Hibernian standing on the step
of the railway station.
Faith" was the reply, otis just
that can do that same. You see, yol
jist go up this strate till you come t.
Thady O'Mulligan's shop. Then yo1
"But l don't know where Thad
! O'Mulligan's shop isl
i:l,l