Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-06-14
CHAPTER vi.

All Riverton was convulsed by the
news of lat dark deed. The wild con-
lectures af1Oat scarcely touched upon
the truth rs to what had led up TO this
| tragedy. Rodney had been perverting
the funds of the bank from their legiti-
mate use; he had defied the wise coun-
sells of the elder partner, and they had
quarreled, with this awful result. Such
was the theory which gained readiest
acceptance, and there was no contradic-
ton made.
He appeared before Magistrate at
an early hour of the morning and gave
himself up as the slayer of John Ten
dyke.
No one except himself knew Of
Mignon's presence upon the scene of
the tragedy, and he had taken care
that no shadow of blame could attach
to her. No one but himself knew all
the occurrences of that dark night.
People said that he had gone, red-hand-
ed, from that deed of guilt to his wife's
chamber, and all but murdered her by
SHOWING it. At any rate, when his own
household was aroused and a physician
sent for, Mignon was found in her own
bed imam unconscious state, from which
all efforts failed to arouse her. When
that deep stupor gave way at last, it
was to the mutterings.of delirium, and
the doctor himself carried the VS. to
Rodney France in his cell at the county
jail, that his wife was laboring under a
violent attack of fever. bas
81 have taken it upon myself to in
stall a nurse, and give orders for a time,'
he said, 'but if may suggest. would it
not be well to send for her friends?
She needs some one to stand by her at
this very trying season."
"You are right" Rodney answered,
after moments thought. IL will
write telegram to her father and in
trust it to your kindness to send. Poor
Mignon!n he sighed, to himself. He
is not the protector l would choose for
her if there was any one else. Il
The message was sent. and in due
time Mr.. Tredegar Almont made his APP
pearance upon the scene. and was adj;
mitted to an interview with his son-in-
law the day after his arrival.
,"You made mistake in not putting
in your defense at the hearing" helsaid,
as soon as the first greeting was over,
Its bad job-a deucedly bad job
at the best; but now that am here, we
Will be able to put better race TO IL
than it wears at present. y '4-.
"Why do you say that?F What do
YOU know about it?" asked Rodney, al
most tiercely. 7s
g Be tranquil, my friend, and I win
tell you," responded Almont, as uncon-
cerned as if the life of the man before
him were not the issue at stake. II
know what it appears you have not
chosen to divulge-that your arfner,
Tendyke, and my late partner, Varick,
were one and the same man. I can
reasonably suppose that the cause as
signed for this tragedy was not the true
cause; when that's made, known there
will be, inevitably, some reynlsion of
popular feeling in your favor. A letter
which. I received from my daughter.
some two weeks ago can be introduced
as effective evidence" -!
"a letterr' ~
F"She wrote, I believe, without your ]
cognizance. She knew that Varick was,
bent upon mischief. She had hopes of
'checkmating him by, bringing the law to
bear upon some of his past acts, but
Varick was always too slippery to give
the law any strong hold on him. II
didn't see that could do her any good,s
and so didn't charge myself with any
trouble in the affair" I
Let me see the letter. 81 4
{! Mr.. Almontwas mot Wholly satisfied. /
with his son-in-law's aspect, calm
though it was. 4
[TO BE CONTINUED. 4