Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-11-29
THE RIVAL CLAIMANTS.

VINO MT. WlISen WdSy whence ne
came, and what had been his antece-
dents, were points on which the good
people of Pokebury remained as unen-
lightened after he had dwelt ten years
among them, as they were at his first
coming.
His health had been for some time
failing, and one day was sent to write
his will. The instructions he gave me
were very brief. He wished his entire
estate to be vested in trustees, the an
nual income to be devoted to certain
specified charities; but in case his
brother. of whom he had lost sight for
many years, proved to be alive and
should be discovered, the above be-
quest was to become thenceforward
null, and the entire property to go to
the brother.
"This brotheI-have you any clew
that may lead to his discovery ?" 1
asked.
"None," he answered "and great
ly fear, for certain reasons, that even if
he be living he will never, voluntarily,
make himself known"
Few people purposely keep out of
the way of good fortune" I remarked.
He made no answer, but seemed to
be rejecting deeply.
81 wish to confde a secret to you,"
he said, at length. "May do so
safely ?"
"a lawyers OATH" I answered, "for-
bids him to betray his client. You may
speak with freedom and safety"
My words may place my brothers
life in your hands" he said "yet it
may still be possible to clear up hor.
rible suspicion which, for years, has
haunted me. I have read of so many
cases in which it came out that men
were innocent whose guilt seemed prov
ed to demonstration that I blame my
self for not sooner seeking aid in the
solution of a dreadful mystery, instead
of helplessly brooding over it,"
He paused, as if still hesitating to
disclose his secret. The indecision,
however, was but momentary.
"My brother Charles and myself"
he resumed, "were brought up in q
distant city by wealthy uncle, of
whom l was the favorite.
"Charles was younger than /, by
some years. He was a light-hearted,
affectionate boy, little wild and ex-
travagant, but not vicious-just the per-
son, on the whole, not to meet the ap-
probation of our strict old uncle.
"When the latter made his will, he
left the bulk of his fortune to me, ap.
pointing me also trustee of the very
moderate provision made for my
brother.
"Charles expressed no displeasure at
this. He placed too little value on
money, thought, or had too much con.
fdence in my generosity to care which
of us oVr uncle left his wealth to.
"Not long after the will was made,
returning home enc night, found the
front door unlocked. paid but little
attention to the circumstance, at
tributing it to the carelessness of the
servant.
On reaching my room, discovered
that had not with me valuable book
which had started with from public
libraryto which l was subscriber. I
had stopped tovisit friend on the way,
and conjectured that I might have left
the volume at his room. I determined
to act on the surmise, and return to my
friends at once.
"As passed out of the door, I met
Charles coming in. do not know if l
spoke to him in my haste. I found the
book where supposed it was, and had
nearly reached my uncles door again,
when I saw it open and my brother
rush out excitedly, and walk rapidly
away.
~ met the housekeeper in the hall
way. She seemed to be paralyzed with
fear.
"'I'm afraid something terrible has
happened she said, recovering her
voice with an effort
What is the matter?' I asked.
"'Oh, SIR she answered, Mr..
Charles ran out of his uncle's room Just
now, looking like ghosE and having
q bloody knife in his hand. He passed
me without speaking, and hurried
from the house before I could Say o
word !
II went at once to my uncles apart.
ment. A ghastly spectacle met my
sigat My uncle lay lifeless in his
blood The gas was burning brightly,
and every detail of the horrid scene was
appallingly distinct.
"My uncle had been stabbed through
the heart Els secretary stood open
and the floor was strewn with papers.
Like flash of lightning the ques
tion presented itself, Can my brother
have committed this deed?' His fight
the housekeeper's statement, his posi-
BILE resentment at our uncle's will
all seemed to point to one conclusion
much as I strove to close my minc
against it.
II called for help. The housekeepel
and servants came in answer to th,
alarm. The former fell fainting at tn,
sickening sight, and had to be carried
to her room, where, fortunately, she re
o mained for seasonin condition which
prevented her from relating what sht
had seen.
h The AUTHORITIES were notified ant
an inquest hels but nothing affordint
olew to the murderer was elicited.
was the only witness examined. Wha
wa the. q, housekeeper could reveal, wa
known only. to myself and her sh