Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-04-26

glance AT tne features, on winch tue pal
lor of death was settling, caused me tc
start suddenly. The dying man was
Mr.. Northup.
Overcoming the first shock, I ap.
preached and laid my hand on his breast
A faint tremor of the heart was follow.
ed by prolonged stiffness Life hat
passed away, and when l withdrew my
hand it was covered with the dead man.
blood
With all possible haste / summoned
assistance. The body was cared fol, land
in due time buried and then, in fulfill.
ment of the trust I had accepted open
ed the sealed packet.
Along with number of papers was a
scaled letter, addressed to myself;
"My real NAME" it began, It's John Dray-
ton. For many years have born the burden
of anothers crime-one to shield whose name
sacrificed my own.
1.-THE little girl known as Olive Verne is my
daughter. You will find enclosed the cerif-
cate of my marriage to her mother, and that
Of her own birth ard baptism wish her to
remain in ignorance OF our relationship, unless
my good name should one day be INDICATED
shall leave no will, but, of course, she is my
heir, and the accompanying papers will enable
you 10 gain possession, for her use, OF what
ever fortune may die possessing"
One morning, not long after, I re-
ceived visit from stranger.
"Mr. Knight" he inquired.
I bowed assent.
"You were the legal adviser of the
late Mr.. Northup, l believe" continued
the stranger, "and probably possess a
knowledge of the condition of his af-
fairs"
l answered with another bow.
Il am the half-brother of Edward
Northup, or rather of John Drayton,
for the latter was his true name. AS
he died childless, and l am his only liv-
ing relative, |, Of course, fall heir to his
estate"
From the first had an impression of
having seen the strangers face before. -
Now it flashed upon me when and where.
"You are mistaken in one thing" |
answered, fixing the strangers eye with
mine. John Drayton left a child, who
is the sole heir to his fortune"
81 deny p the man exclaimed.
II have indubitable proofs" I an
swered and proceeded to produce them
The stranger stood aghast and was
silent.
II accuse you Of your brothers MUIR
der y | said sternly. at vas whom
you encountered while fleeing from the
scene of your crime. Your face wore
the same expression then as now, and it
remains wildly impressed on my memo
ry."
The guilty wretch struck HE forehead
with his clenched fist.
Il have then" he cried in despairing
tones, "fruitlessly shed the blood of one
who bore through life the stigma of a
theft committed by myself, rather than
clear his name by divulging brothers
guilt. When last came to him for
money, be refused to give it, fearing it
would be squandered on my VICES. I'm
PEELED by avarice and passion. stabbed
him to the heart, believing there were
none to stand between me and the wealth
which | coveted"
He turned as it to go. but / stepped
between him and the door.
What is your purpose p he asked
"To hand you over to justice" re-
piled, summoning assistance from the
outer office.
AS the clerk entered, the man drew
back quickly, took pistol from his
pocket, and put it to his temple. A
loud report followed and the murderer
brains were scattered on the floor.
The story was told before the coroner,
and at last the name Of little Olives
father was vindicated.