The Placer herald., 1870-11-12

| preston that am resolved to have the earth
dug up and the place examined
Arthur had stopped while she spoke and
although she noted that he turned very pale
she urged him on
But, Nora, it is weak and supersttious
to allow dream to disturb vou Let me
beg that YOU will return to the honse at once
and not give the matter another thought
NO, we will go on.
AS you will, said he coldly, at the same
time remembering that they had brought no
implements for digging though be had seen
light spade near the door, which he supposed
Nora had forgotten.
AS they neared the spring he noticed that
the bushes had been beaten down and path
formed by which they could proceed very
WELL
Others seem to have been here before us,
he said glancng at her enquiringly.
She hoped not, and quichened her pace.
A sudden turn in the path through the
bushes brought them directly to the tree,
where, to the surprise of both, they beheld
man standing, spade in hand as if about to
commence digging.
Arthur rushed forward asserting that he
was master of the place, and ordering him
to leave the spot at once.
The man touched his hat politely. 4 am
an officer sir in the discharge of my duty.
\ GU, believe, are Mr.. Arthur Dalton; and
if You attempt to leave this spot, shall ar
rest you ON suspicion of your uncle 5 murder
Upon what are your suspicious based,
stammered Arthur
Upon the testimony of one J John Moreton,
formerly in the employ of Mr.. Overing.
You will please stand aside sir and allow me
to proceed
Arthur covered his face with his hands
and leaned against tree.
Nora, in amazement at what had passed
stood perfectly still The ground seemed to
reel beneath her, but strong arm prevented
her from falling, while voice not difficult to
recognize whispered This is too much for
your strength. Let me take you to the
house
She only shook her head in answer, and
kept her place intently watching as the Off
Ger slowly dug up the earth at the foot of
the tree. But nothing was found until Nora
pointed out particular spot as the one in
dicatcd in her dream; when, after few
| NIoN'Nidl vi tditii liti btCl illlONu up, l..
small basket somewhat crushed and broken
was brought to the surface.
Methodically the man opened it and took
out, first the wristband of shirt, on which
was a dark stain, then a pocket handker-
chief with the same stain, and lastly a small
dagger, upon which was engraved the name
of Arthur Dalton.
A low whistle brought an assistant to his
side, and Arthur was conveyed i'll close
carriage that was in waiting; and Nora, faint
and sick, returned to the house with Oscar,
who to the mother and daughter made
known the following circumstances, which
shall be put in as few words as possible
Believing that he would always be sus-
pected of the murder of Mr.. Overing, if the
real criminal was not discovered, Oscar re-
solved to devote himself entirely to this OBJ
ject. He secretely questioned all the serv-
ants on the place, and learned from one who
occupied room with Moreton, that the
very night before his departure, the
manner of the old man had been strange
and uneasy, and from words muttered in
his sleep, he was led to believe that Moreton
knew or suspected who the murderer was.
Upon this clue Oscar acted, but for a year
the old man secluded himself so cunningly
and moved so frequently that it was almost
impossible TO trace him at all. Discouraged
at this he sought his old neighborhood, hear
ing that Moreton had communicated with
some of his fellow-servants. A nephew had
heard from him few weeks before, and in
consideration of large bribc disclosed his
place of residence. But an unconquerabe
desire to again behold Nora led Oscar to fol-
low her, and when he reached the place
where he had hoped to find Moreton the bird
had again flown, and it was months before
he found him.
lie managed so as to come upon him sud-
denly, and when alone and then sternly de-
manded all that he knew Of the murder of
Mr.. Overing. The old man declared that he
knew nothing about the matter, but in
frightened, uneasy way that led Oscar to
dsbelieve him, and finally between threats
of punishment and promises of reward he in
duced him to 90 before a magistrate and make
a plain statement Of facts.
The afternoon of the murder, Moreton had
taken a small blsket and gone into the woods
for the purpose of getting a wild vine that
Nora wished to have set in the garden, lie
had accomplished his object and was return
ing, when he saw through the trees Mr.
Overng walking down path that led thro'
the woods to the main road Wish
ing to speak to him, he turned in that drec-
ton, and saw Mr.. Dalton, who had gone to
the city in the morning, ride up the path
from the opposite direction. He dismounted
and entered into conversation with his uncle,
and their tones soon became loud, as if in dis
putc.
Tie was too far off to hear what was said,
but as he approached could occasionally dis
tnguish the word money; and when quite
near hear Mr.. Overng say; 4 know that
you want it to pay gambling debt, and |
tell you will not assist you. Upon which
Mr.. Dalton quickly drew dagger and stab
bed his uncle to the heart. Moreton stopped
for moment, Mortified at what he beheld,
then rushed! forward just as Arthur drew