The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-10-25
From the Frecport Bulle
MABEL WOODLEiGH;
The PIotter Fooled.
by ARNOLD Il. KOENEN.


it be so. Her uncle Clarence had been muir
dered in cold blood, and robbed of a large
sum of money He had been found dead in
his library, with ghastly wound in his
breast, showing that it had been inflicted by
a dagger. This was not all; n still greater
trouble weighed down the spirits of Mabel
Her uncle was crusty old man, who had no
love for any one, and who undertook the
guardianship Of Mabel merely out of duty,
because he was her next nearest relative; con
seoucntly, Mabel felt but little love for hun,
and it will therefore be seen that the latter
blow was a greater one than the iOrmcr)
Her lover and affanced husband was sus.
pected of the crime and the evidence was,
indeed strongly against him. lie had quar-.
relied with the old man when he was last seen
alive; and even had uttered so much as
threat, because he would not consent to his
marriage with Mabel
tiIsbui heart n.i5 aiiiiU5t ui0Ncn when she
heard the news; but, despite the evidence,
she believed HIM innocent.
80, Jane" she said, addressing her maid,
and speaking in tone of utter despair, my
heart is breaking when | think of it, that Ro.
land is the murderer of Uncle Clarence, |
cannot believe him guilty. But the evidence
against hlm is too strong, too overwhelming
TOO be disbclieved. O, what shall | do?
Heaven help me solve this mystery"
30, 3Iissus, do not 90 on in that way. You
make me feel bad-indeed you do. | don't
believe it, Just think-thc good AR Roland
kill uncle Clarence: Never! He is too
brave, too noble to even think of such thing"
exclaimed the good naturcd maid, trying TO
cheer up her dOwn.hcarted mistress.
How comforting your words arc. Would
to heaven they were true All, Jane, you do
not knOw-yOu cannot understand it. He will
stand no chance in a court of justice. Mol
one will believe him innocent, which know
he is"
II know that, Missus; but you see there
was only one man who says he saw Mr.. RO-
land stab the old man; and mightn't some
one, who had grudgc against Mr. Roland
have hired a man to swear that he saw Mr..
Roland do the crimc;" and Jane looked wise |
as she spoke.
Jane, you are talking nonsense cried her
mistress, rebukingly. IL should like to know
who would do such a cruel thing to him. |
am sure he has 10 enemy"
Now, Missus, know better" exclaimed
Jane "'cause | heard Mr. Roland and the
man that wanted to marry you quarrel about /
you"
What Has Roland quarrelcd with Capt
Langiord"
"Yes, Mssus.'
"Then he is Roland's enemy. He i, a mean
man, and would not hesitate to do anything"
cried Mabel, in despair CLARK, there is
some one coming" She added
at is Roland, Whata meeting this will be II
! dare not let him know | am aware Of his 5
crme," she cried paSsonatcy. G
The next moment the door leading from the Il
main hall into the room opened, and hand fl
some young man entered. His face was full $
Of happiness and his gay manner and dccid. I
cd appearance showed that he was n Jolly a
fellow. Surely, Il man who had committed c
crime could not appear in such free and fl
careless manner He walked straight up to
Mabel, and exclaimed ;
"My darling Mabel, it is very fortunate that q
| find you AT home Come, give me kiss
and he tried to embrace her but she shrank C
away Indignantly. cXclaiming: c
"Mr. Osborn, pray cease your strange de, a
monstrations!' h
"Why, Mabel he cried, in surprise, "what {.
Is the matter: What has caused this cold
ncss"' Il
"IIow dare you ask, sr?' demanded Mabel, Il
scarcely able to restrain herself from rushing G,
into his arms.
"Why, because | am your lover" d,
"Sir, you insult me with such language 4
Dare you call yourself my lover, when such y,
circumstances are against you?' H.
Mabel, What do you mean? What is that n.
scared look upon your face? see it also ~
upon the faces CT the people in the village. -
Speak, Mabel What means this" "
80, how can you ask me the question:" ~
sobbed Mabel. III
Here upon my Bonded knees, Mabel, | v
swear to you that do not know what YOU l.
mean! Speak, darling, for the sake of old u
times, when we were all to each other. What .
does this mean" y
W, do not ask me. What shall dOE o. H.
heaven and Mabel, beautiful Mabel, began -
wrlnglng her hands and crying bitterly. ~ -
TEL me, Mabel bcsccch you" and even "
he was on the point Of crying
Roland, cannot tell YOU" aud She flung
herself into his willing arms.
Jane, since your mistress cannot tell me d
YOU al least can Roland SAID, turning 40
Jane. IL
II will tell you, Master Roland, You are I,
accused Of numbering her uncle Clarence" Ii
Good God! Is it possble:' he cxclaim
ed, lettering back in amnzemcnt "Impos,i.
bic! never knew that he was dead until b
ibis moment" s.
YES, sir" replied Jane; "and Jim Scran- G
ION swcars he saw you do it." ii
"Gcs, Roland; hc swears that he saw you g
What can you say in defense Of the charge" c
said Mabel 10
Dearest Mabel itpains me to the utmos, c
10 know that you should think me guilty of %
such a crime. What could have been my OBJ I
ICCt in 50 dongE'
Because he refused to consent To my mar c
rage with you" replied Mabel Scranton '
~wcar- jhat this is the reason you committed !,
The decd" I
Heavens. There is a fearful plot aloat. y
swear before High Heaven that am limo II
cent ., Mabel, land he grasped her hands
and looked bcsecchingly at her-"you who il
loved me 50 much, and with whom PLAYED i'll
when but child, do you believe me Il
guilty: Can you think me capable of such +,
crime" I'm
Mabel paused moment for reflection:
then She said, in a voice quiycring with great h
emotion: Il
The evidence against you, Roland, is very II
strong; yet, despite this, SO help me Cod! /.
believe YOU arc innocent" II
%, God be praised. dearest Mabel" II
Jane stood for a moment regarding tie ten 81
der kisses which Roland showcrcd upon Ma.
- -. a.. "a