The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-09-28

inson asked a gentleman near him the
name of the place, learned it was Rock
land, and therefor his destination, and
therefore got out.
Several men shouted the names of the
hotels they represented, and did it for
the benefit of the passengers who had left
the train, although one would have
thought that they intended to call to
some persons already at the hotels. and
long way off, by the noise they made.
Mr.. Robinson found man who had Q
hack. He distinctly heard the man men
ton the fact, and he ordered himself
taken to Mr.. Muckle's. When the hack
stopped and Mr.. Robinson got out, he
must have impressed the driver as being
q lunatic of some sort.
1 thought this was Rockland."
Tits"
well, want to go to Mr.. Muckle's."
"This ID the place."
"Where is Lakeville ?"
"Thirty miles from here, and your fare
is twenty-five cents"
Mr.. Robinson paid it, and the hack
man drove away.
1t was late to arrive for visit, but the
well trained servants at Mr.. Muckle's
had had their instructions, and it was
not many minutes before Mr.. Robinson
was settled in large and handsomely
furnished room.
A servant brought him note.
1.-The compliments of Mr.. Muckle, who
regrets that business which cannot be de.
layed, prevents his meeting Mr.. Robin
son tonight. Will Mr.. Robinson make
himself perfectly at home? The serv-
ants are directed to attend to his every
order.
"a cool welcome" said Richard Rob-
inson, to himself, but ate hearty sup
per, retired late and slept soundly-and
late, too.
"A cool welcome" was Richard Rob-
inson's first thought when he awoke in
the morning There was rushing to
and fro of hasty steps, doors were
opened and closed; there we're voices
hushed but eagar. It was cool recep-
ton; for, when the almost forgotten
guest left his room, he learned the fear
full truth. Mr.. Milton Muckle had been
found murdered in his bed that morn
ing.
The coroner's jury examined the wit
nesses separately. Mr.. Robinson was
examined as q mere matter of form. He
saw no one else in the room who had or
who would testify. He had his luggage
taken to the hotel, he had his dinner,
and then he walked briskly out into the
country for miles. 1t was all so horrible
to him; the man who had won fortune
which, though justly his, could have
been won only by patience and long hsr,l
work. It is true that this man had had
from the property all the fees for his
services winch the work warranted, but
the services was of kind which de-
handed more than money than pay for
| it, And this man was dead-dead by
the hand of amurderer-before he could
thank him. It was errible!-horrible!-
he could think of nothing else than the
awful fate of the man who had been his
| friend.
In the early evening he came back.
The verdict had been given. The land
lord said:
They've said it was Mr.. Muckle's
nephew. for one don't believe it. I've
known them both for years and years, and
know they are stubborn and obstinate.
Mr.. Muckle has been . stubborn man ;
his nephew . stubborn boy-he's
scarcely more than q boyyet. They had
hard words last night about q girl the
yodng man intended to marry. The
old man, who has NO other heir than
his nephew. said he would leave all his
money to some public charity unless the
young man gave il up, and the poor fell
low was in his uncle's power. He used
to be rich. Lost every cent in specu-
iation three months ago. and twenty five
thousand dollars borrowed from his un-
Gle with it. They almost came to blows
last night. The servants knew 1t and
testified to it, and the young man ad-
mitted it. He didn't leave the house
until after midnight. It looks bad.
They've arrested him and put him in
Jail. Every man in town but myself
believes the poor fellow guilty. / don't
1 believe man he discharged from his
employ did it."
(As our story il nearly done, let us say
at once that the landlord was right, and
the rest wore wrong. Ten years later .
death bed confession gave the truth.
Robinson lit his cigar and sat down on
the balcony ct the hotel. The moon
came up and the night was COOL and
bright and beautiful. His thoughts
vent 70 the de.d man, then back 70 him
self. "How sweet and bright life IT, be
thought; ''how I pity this man Who has
lost his."
A man rode by swiftly. and he bed :
maak opl Another one, and snotherl
The landlord came out on the balcony
hahind Robinaon.