The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-01-20


himself, that worthy was not long in pro-
-louncing it a sudden death from disease
of the heart; and 1 was suffered, in view
of my representations as to the urgency
of my mission to Bristol, to proceed on
my journey. This is the bare outline of
my crime, the details would only weary
you, and my time is short. / succeeded
in leaving England and reaching Brazil.
where have amassed a fortune. That
fortune is within the box which lies be-
meath my hand"
He paused, for violent spasm seized
him, and it was not for some time that l
could recover him sufficiently to enable
him to proceed.
Raising himself in bed with difficulty,
he unlocked the box, and disclosed an
array of unset diamonds, whose brilliancy
fairly dazzled me.
"Hcre are s5O,000 worth of dia-
monds," continued Mr.. Grierson. az
have converted all my fortune into these
gems, and these l intend to intrust to
your care. Take this box at once to your
own cabin and return to me for your in
structions as to the disposal of the con-
tents"
l hesitated, but he was imperative.
"Not word. am dying fast and l
implore you to accede TO my last re-
quest"
l took the box, locked it, and left the
cabin.
As opened the door 1 ran up against
Pete.
"What the devil are you doing here?"
"Nothing, Massa."
l passed on along the main deck to-
ward my cabin forward, and on my way
l met Captain McFarlane.
"How is your patient, Doctor9'
"Dying, l fear. He can not last long"
Ipassed on, and depositing the box in
a place of safety, returned. Grierson was
rapidly sinking. and in a few broken
sentences he instructed me as to the dis
posal of his property. Ten thousand
pounds was to 60 to the bankers, Messrs.
Holt and Wardly, of Lombard street,
and the balance to the family of the
murdered man, whose name was given
me, and whose representative I pledged
my word to do my best to discover.
Finally, binding me over not to dis
close what 1 had just been told, except
to the parties named by him in his dying
request, Grierson relapsed into state Of
partial insensibility, from which l in
vain attempted to rouse him, and before
half an hour had elapsed the unhappy
man was no more.
Going on deck, l communicated the
news to the captain, who gave the neces-
sary directions as to the funeral, which
took place next day; and once more we
we're plunging our way through the blue
water as ifnothing bad happened.
was an altered man. The strange
commission with which l had been in
trusted weighed on my mind. Over and
over again in the stiffness of the night l
opened the box of diamonds, and gazed
at the brilliancy of the gems. What
proof was there that they were not mine /;
the box with its brass plate bearing the
owners name could be destroyed in a
moment, and then-oyer and over again
the devil whispered TO me, but, thank
God, l resisted the temptation. l would
fulfill the trust confded to me, and l
prayed fervently for strength to resist
the evil promptings of my baser self.
One day l sat alone, the box unlocked
on my table, gazing with an irrepressible
curiosity, which was unable to control,
on the jewels which scintillated with a
devilish luster before my dazed vision.
The door suddenly opened and Captain
McFarlane entered.
az beg your pardon, Doctor; didn't
know you were engaged" But before |
could close the box or reply his eye had
caught the simmer of the brilliants.
Halo! what's herew
With firm hand he closed the lid and
read the name upon the plate. Innocent
as was, involuntarily stung by the re-
membrance of what my thoughts had
been but moment before, quailed be-
fore his eye.
al know all now-that man was
poisoned consider yourself my pris'
Oner."
endeavored to explain. 1 told every.
thing as it had occurred, and appealed
to the captain to believe the story, OF at
least to awaitits reasonable confirmation
before acting on his rash conclusion. He
was incredulous. One concession | OBJ
tained, and that was that all should bt
i kept secret until our arrival in port
and that 1 should not be publicl!
branded as suspected murderer before
the crew.
A fortnight passed, weary fortnight
during which repeatedly endeavored t.
shake the conclusion at which Captain
McFarlane had so hastily arrived. Sud
denly, without a moments warning, tn
captain fell sick. He was suffering from
a low fever. l begged him to accept m.
service.
Never; you shall not poison me, toe.
Days passed, and the captain got wors
and worse; he babbled in his deliriun
of poison, of stolen jewels; and night ant
day l watched at his bedside, jealousl,
excluding everybody who might pei
chance overhear his rawlings and rise u
in judgment against ME.
One day the crisis came. A few hour
would determine all. If he died l wa
once more free man, free from the i'm
putation of a foul crime, free to carr
out my honest intention of fulfilling tn
dead mans wishes, but also free from tn
dread of exposure which to me would b
worse, as bare suspicion, than death il
sell.
If the captain could but sleep, his lif
would be saved. How easy to make tina
!, sleep his last-the devil was at my elbow
, the laudanum bottle in my hand. Blu
, at my sorest need the strength to resis
| was given to me. 1 poured out tn
| proper dose, and advanced toward th
: cot in which the captain lay. A strang
5 light was in his eyes. Rising suddenl.