Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-01-07

husband, had already arisen and struck
light As the Colonel took 1t from her
hand she saw the blood on his arm, and
uttdf,d cry of horror.
1T is nothing said the Colonel. "A rob-
Der was climbing in at the window, and
have scratched him.
He entered the study, followed by Jones,
who shuddered at the scene which met his
oy~N There was blood on the curtain, on
tbSTindow, ON the Colonel's chair, which
stood uear 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 win
dow, attracted the eye of Jones. Hestopped
to pick 1t up, and started back with sup
pressed cry. 1t was human hand.
The Colonel picked it up, and held it by
tho. lifeless fingers. 1t was still warm, and
drfping blood. 1t had been cut off just at
the y ist
Suddenly the Colonel turned pale. Wrap
ping he member in his handkerchief, he
seized the light, and rushed up stairs.
'Fot heavens sake, he cried, with strange
.ag..as -. tell me " you know tAisi It is
astard upon ceremony. Lookf
| lless df the effect lhe
fcTfd sight might have on his wife, the
Colonel, in his agitation, threw aside the
fol ds of his handkerchief, and revealed the
hand.
Mrs. II. started back with horror. But
in an instant, turning deadly pale, she bent
forward gazed u moment at the hand, and
with a shrek fell lifelcss to the floor.
The Colonel rushed out and met Jones
on the stairs.
Raise no alarm he said, in a husky,
rapid tone. 60 and saddle my horse and
bring him to the door. Quick
As soon as Jones had disappeared, the
Colonel went out to see if he could dscov-
or traces of the robber. There was moth
ing 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 Colcnel rode to
the hotel.
After laundering at the door some min
utes, he succeeded in bringing a waiter who
admitted him, staring in stupid wonder to
see young Morgans father arrive at such q
time, and with so ghastly face.
Is Morgan II. within?' demanded the
| Colonel.
4 think he is. l saw him there in the
evening" was the reply. Shall 1 go W
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 a.
round. The Colonels hand was pressed
upon his brow, and his eye was fixed upon
dark spot on the floor. 1t was drop o
blood!
What is that? asked the waiter.
go on go onr muttered the Colonel
in so savage and huskya voice that it hat
about the same effect as a sharp bayonet il
sending the waiter forward.
They reached the door of Morgans room
The Colonel wrung the door with his iror
hand, but the latch did not yield. Thei
with his fist he thundered on the panel.
No sound came from within.
lie is not in, suggested the waiter.
! hkET1S--,-ri.- - ,',--.,....... :,
thckey was visible. The door was locke,
from the inside.
Leave me- commanded the Colonel
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, a sharp concussion, lik
the report of pistol, sounded within tn
room. Then some heavy body fell to tn
floor.
The Colonel staggered against the ban
mister, and the waiter who was watchin
from below, ran up, crying murder, think
ing he was shot
'Hushv said the Colonel, in a calr
voice, standing erect, as pale as death, be
fore the waiter. go for an axe or ban
The door must be broken OPEN.
IL a few moments the lock was forced
and the Colonel, followed by the landlor
and others, rushed into the room. Ther
was human body extended on the foo
which was covered with blood.
Horrorr calculated the waiter. III
has cut Off his right hand!
And blown out his brains! ! added til
landlord.
The Colonel looked at the CHASTITY, dii
torled face. 1t was that of his only sol
He was corpse!
This is the story promised you,' col
tinued by friend. 'There is little more
say. Everybody thought the calamit
would kill Mrs. H.; but you see her nov
a feeble, sorrow stricken woman, wi
never leaves her own room, except to Wis
the grave of the suicide.
The Colonel is a different man. Sin'
the tragedy, he has never been seen
smile. He stands like withered oak, d'
and stiff, yet strong in his decay.I
We rode to the burying ground. W
would have entered and looked at Il
tombstone of the erring youth, but shrar
= from disturbing the contemplation of Il
: mourners.
Mrs. II. was over the marble slab, al
shedding tears which ran down her tn
face like rain. The Colonel stood near b
4 on ON his 1sS sGSs', Ssa,o apd %itl
9 look of spoechless grief We left the
: alone with the dead.
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