The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-03-26

he was now scarcely recognizable. He
was dying from the effects of cancer.
IL know my days are numbered :" said
tho old doctor, after he had given me the
particulars of the case. "My disease is
utterly incurablo. But, have fearful
confession to make to you, one which ]
fear will drag me down to perditon, unless
l atone for 1t by endeavoring to make res
titutlon. Oh, james, how can summon
up resolution enough to tell you what a
guilty wretch am2
Perhaps | already know something of
the matter OF which you would speak," l
returned.
impossible No living soul save one
knows 1t. y, God, must reveal my own
shame? Must tell how guilty have
been I cannot-I cannot % And the
old man buried his head in the pillow.
l sincerely pltied HIM, and determined
that | would begin the subject myself.
| DOCTOR" said |, ''you had a compan-
ion IN the transaction to which you re-
fera'
81 had ! had! But how can YOU know
anything about it2 Can it be possible that
you could have suspected anything at the
| time7"
"1 know all; and to spare you the shame
OF confessing will repeat to you the par
tlc,'lars of the transaction which brings
remorse to your dying bed. Eighteen
years ago, Mr. Stephen Barton died, leav
ing an only son heir to his immense wealth.
hlr. Amos Barton was appointed his guar
dian. BY some means, know not what.
he persuaded you to assist him in his nefa
rlous designs. You administered prepa
ration which produced the effect of simu
lated death. Amos Barton procured a body
from the University Medical College in
New York. While Henry Barton Law
in an insensible condition his body was re-
moved from the cetfin, and substituted by
the one obtained from the city,"
"Great Heavens how did you find all
this QUIT had no idea that any mortal
man, save the other guilty party, knew any
thing of the NATTER"
here related the manner IN which had
ferreted out the truth, with which the
eader is already acquainted.
but what became of the boy, the right
ful heir Z" asked the doctor, eagerly.
II don't know. If you remember, at the
timo all this occurred, / left your house
and visited New York. Imade every DOS.
sible search, but without any success, except
obtaining information from where Amos
Barton obtained the substitute | debated
long time whether ought not to make
known what I had discovered to the au-
thorities. But knew Amos Barton's in
huencc, and feared should only bring
disgrace on myself. Besides which, 1 could
not bear the idea Of blackening your fair
ooh, thank you for your consideration.
did not deserve it. But do you think
The old man hcstated, as if he dared not
give utterance to his thought
Murdered HIM, you would say, l re-
joined. mo; this very day have dis
covered that he did not make way with
him."
And here related the conversation had
heard in the railway ear.
"God grant that he may still be alive"
said the old man, "and now, James, listen
to my dying words. Promise me you will
use every possible exertion to discover
young Barton and relnstate him into his
property"
Imade the promise, and q few hours af-
ter DR.. Lignon was dead.
After l returned to New York, debated
in my own mind as to tho means to be used
to discover If Henry Barton were still
alive; at the same time | set watch on
the. premises, 222 East Broadway, giving
orders for tho messenger to inform me
the moment ho caught sight of the man
who had been called Ralph.
I had been nome TWO days when my
messenger informed me that he had seen
Ralph just enter a restaurant in East Broad
way. | Immediately started for tho place.
and found the man seated in box, gazing
earnestly at young man about twenty
two years Of age, who was seated in the
box exactly opposite to him.
At last, satisfied with his scrutiny, he
left his box and advanced to the young
man.
"Young man," said ho, carelcssly, scat
ing himself by the young mans side, "may
l ask your name2"
"Aly name is Henry Graham. What do
you want with me 2"
''No, sir, your name Is Henry Murdoch,
and am your father"
"You my father! You know you lie.
DO you suppose that when had the sense
to discover such was not the case when l
was a child, You can impose upon me
now 2"
"Oh, it's all very well for you to deny it,
but can prove that you arc my son."
"Have done, and leave me, or rather
| will leave you," returned the young man,
rising from his seat, ''and listen to me, fell
| low-if you presume to address me again
| will invoke the protection of the law, and
should that not be sufficient to shield me
from your persecution / will take the law
into my own hands,"
So saying no left the place. Ralph
Murdcck followed HIM, and was not far
behind. The young man entered the st.
Nicholas hotel. In ten minutes sent up
my card, and was at once admitted into
his presence. In few words | explained
my business, and was perfectly satisfied
that stood in the presence of Henry Bar
ton. ..-
When Henry Barton had finished his
history, which is not essential for tho
purpose of our sketch, we entered into a
long conversation as 10 the best means to
provo his identity. The task was not an
easy one and saw but one way, and that
was to get Murdoch into our power and
make him confess the truth. 1t was to this
end that devoted all my energies.
The messenger that l had sci to watch
| tl,of n inu a ffY