The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-07-21
THE DISAPPOINTED HEIR.

glanced furtively about as though dis
trusting the very walls. The first, he
would have told you, was as unmistak-
ably villain of the higher class as the
latter was of the lower.
'sNow that the things DONE" said
Lal0r, in his coarse, brutal way, ''isn't
it about time l got something on ac-
count?"
"You must remember" replied the
other, II haven't received the money
yet. There are certain legal forms"
Legal fiddlesticks! Murder, con-
sidering the risk run, ought to be
cash job. Come, must have at least
hundred dollars, Dick-a mere trife.
you must own, to man just come into
such fortune"
'sYou forget the difficulties still re-
manning. AS yet it is only case of
mysterious disappearance. How am
1, let alone others, to be assured that
Mark Pennington is dead?"
Haven't you my word for it?''
broke out Lalor, bringing down his
fist; land by Jove no man shall dispute
that!''
II don't dispute it; but for Heavens
sake speak lower. only meant"
BESIDES" pursued Lalor, not heed
ing the apology, ''if You want proof.
there it is
Hanley inspected costly gold watch
which the other took from his pocket
and laid ON the table.
$50 you robbed as well as"
Murdered him." added Labor, sup
plying the word at which Hanley
banked. why, not make the most Of
bad job?"
"What did you do with the
Again Hanley hesitated.
1.-The body?" suggested Labor.
Threw it into the bay. The tide has
carried it far enough by this time.''
For some minutes Richard Hanley
was silent, seeming buried in reflection.
"Well," interrupted the coarser ruff
fan, ''what about the hundred I've
asked for?''
Il have no money at present" was
the answer, given quietly. Come here
tomorrow night, and I'll see what can
be done"
''See that you have it them" growled
Lalor. If you and l quarrel it won't
be well for one of us!''
When John Lalor had gone. carrying
with him the watch, Richard Han1ey's
face was a study. The look of mali
cious cunning it wore was simply dia-
bolical.
Il must get rid of that man." he
muttered, ''or submit to incessant
blackmailing."
That very night secret communities
ton set the police on John Lalor's
track. His character was such that it
needed but word to do this. He was
caught and searched, and on his per-
son was found watch bearing the
name and identified as the property Of
Mark Pennington, a young gentleman
of wealth, whose mysterious disappear
ance had excited much attention within
the past few days.
OF course Labor was held ON sus-
picion, which ripened into conviction
when it was announced shortly after
that Mark Pennington's body had been
found floating in the water, gashed
with wounds which left no doubt that
his death had been the result of foul
play.
BY the recent death of an unm arried
brother year or two his senior, Mr..
Pennington had fallen heir to q large
fortune. He might now have made
bold to avow his love for Sylvia Mel
roth, the rich merchants daughter; but
an estrangement had grown up between
them because Mark fancied that Richard
Hanleys attentions were preferred in
that quarter to his own. And with the
double purpose Of seeking relief from
the sorrow caused by his brothers.
death, and distraction from the pangs
of jealousy, he was ON the eve of de-
parting on foreign tour at the time of
his sudden disappearance.
Richard Hanley had the enfree to
society. for he was by no means ac-
counted such villain as we have in
troduced him to the reader 1t would.
rs already intimsted, have required an
expert in physiognomy to penetrate the
disguise OF his smooth, hypocritical
face. He was Mark Pennincton's
second cousin and nearest surviving
relative; and when the news of Marks
murder came out, many were the con-
gratulations showered on Mr.. Hanley
sapropos OF the great wealth to which
he would succeed by his kinsman's
death.
He became favorite, now, with Mr..
Melroth. to whom he opened his mind !
on the subject of Sylvia. But when
Mr.. Melroth preached the matter to his
daughter, she gave way to shower of
tears partly, no doubt through sor-
row for poor Mark memory, and partly
from indignation at Richard Hanleys |
assurance for she had always rs cor
daily liked the one As she had despised |
the other.
After many evasions and prevarica-
tons, John Lalor came out with story |
shred of doubt as to his guilt.
1t was that be had been instigated by
Richard Hanley to remove the only |