Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-07-09

smile Miss Atherton remaks:
''Of course you know best. i believe tho
Sheriff inquired for you at first"
Nei's infatuation for the blonde beauty is
considerably dampened by this, and when he
hears pai tIculars from his mother concern
ing Margery's arrest he is furious, and VOWS
that he will never rest until Margery Is clear
from suspicion. He loses no time In getting
to the jail, but imagery positively refuses TO
see him. All night he les awake trying to
account for the loss OF his revolver. He
doubts not for a moment that IL was lost by
himself and found by the murderer, and he
readily surmises that Margery assumed hav-
ing Il TO save him.
Ned beg ms his detective work by going to
poor Aunt Hepsy's house and questioning the
gossips he found there, hoping they may give
him clew 70 follow up. But all their prying
has brought nothing TO light. The house con-
tained only one room with two windows.
Evidently the ASSASSIN had entered by one or
them, as the door was found locked ana had
to be forced open.
Ned's next step is to go outside and look
under both the windows. Some bushes are
growing by one that was broken down and
trampled, but the recent rain has effaced all
tracks of feet. He is going away disappoint-
ed when he happens to spy mans boot-heel
that appears to be freshly torn from the
boot TO which 1t belongs, and afterward he
finds q few scratches on the wtndow-sill.
This is convincing proof In Ned's mind that
u Ddu COuuuLcu LuC DuL ut ithTS "
jury may not agree with him. Putting the
bit of leather and nails in his pocket he de-
termines to look sharp at the heels OF every
man ne meets.
The worst thing against Margery next to
her own acknowledgment of having lost the
revolver, is the fact OF Aunt Hepsy's tin box
being In her possession. Nobody wants to
believe her guilty, but before the day
OF the examination comes, SO many
little corroborative incidents are brought
al. - IA
strong against her. Ned has done his best;
but the old boot-heel is all the evidence he
has found in her favor, except her previous
good character.
Ned has haunted the jail like an unquiet
spirit, and can not understand why Margery
so persistently refuses to see him.
While he is distressed with grief and fear
for her, she thinks only of Aunt Hepsy's
.ssriDefasss nItenriuIl suc ,,rsnes s,s...s..
him from punishment but can not bear the
thought or seeing him.
The court house is literally packed with
curious and anxious people on the morning
of the examination A number of the village
loafcrs have climbed upon the window ledges
outside, and cling there as best they can.
Margery is brought in ty the Sheriff, and
seated in n chair facing the crowd. She
has changed much in the short time
that she has been prisoner. The
roses are gone from her cheeks, and there
is u lOOk III IHc tTOWu CJcS
that were wont TO shine with merriment.
Her little herry-staned hands hung Mt her
side limp and wasted. Even her saucy,
elhsh curls droop dejectedly about her wan
face. The Judge has not yet come In. Every
ono is whispering his opinions regarding
her guilty appearance, and gazing admir-
ingly upon Florence Atherton, who is pres
ent in faultless attire, as the principal witt
ness for the people.
Ned approached the courtroom with
heavy heart. Suddenly he stops and looks
fercey at the soles OF n pair of coarse boots
that face him, as the wearer, Barney Preen,
kncels on the window ledge. The cd boot
heel found under Aunt Hepsy's window Is
the boots that Barney wears Is new heel
made entirely of leather; tho other is like
the heel in Ned's pocket.
He pulls the fellow down with no gentle
hand, and shouts that he has found the
wretch who killed Aunt Hepsy Lee.
Barney Preen is so frightened that he goes
down on his knees like the cringinR coward
that he is, and confesses everything. He
went to Mrs. BUrtos,ie Kitchen ON the fatal
evening to beg plate of food, and found
the family at supper. Seeing Neds revolver
and handkerchief on the steps, he slyly stole
them and sneaked of without being seen by
any one. Then his vile, Unbalanced brain
conceived the idea of killing Aunt Hepsy
and getting the money he had heard she
had slowed away. For some time he had
longed for 1t, and had hung about the house
with the intention of breaking in, but had
scarcely dared to do so.
Favored by the storm and darkness, and
with revolver in his hand, he summoned
courage to accomplish the murder, but was
disappointed in the plumber. rearing detec-
ton, he was cunning enough to throw away
the weapon and the handkerchief with which
he wiped his hands that were stained in
blood while searching Aunt Hepsy's pillow.
or course Margery is at once honorably
discharged and everybody says he knew
Miss Florence GecY4 GeS YaS Sh inaoSenittte little crest.
fallen at the termination of the affair. She
always likes TO be on the popular side, and
had expected pleasing opportunity of show
ing oil her charms on the witness stand.
She shortly returned with her mother to
their city home and Ned soon receives pa
per announcing her marriage to a man to
who IN she has long been engaged.
Florence loved admiration, come from
whom II might, and IL had pleased her fancy
to indulge in little Irritation with the good
looking young farmer when her mother was
not by. The last afternoon that they were
together he had been so encouraged by her
condescension that he asked her to be his
wife at some future day when he could offer
her a suitable home. She coolly replied that
she was surprised that he should so far for
get himself as 10 suppose she would care to
grow into a withered old maid waiting for him
TO win fortune, when she might at any
time she chose become the wife of rich city
merchant He was trihe old, to be sure,
but he would allow her TO do as she pleased,
and have all the money she wished to spend.
Ned thought that.his heart was broken, and
he resolved TO go to Australia and drown his
misery digging gold. After few years he
would come back rolling in wealth like mod
ern Monte Cristo, and cause his cruel love
to regret her mercenary decision.
Some such thoughts as these filled his mind
as he rode TO Martinsburgh to make arrange
ments for his departure. Aunt Hepsy's MUIR
der dispelled the idea of emigration. He
able than the fair Florence, and becomes
quickly reconciled TO the disappointment that
at first seemed so bitter. Margery has been
his sister for years. He is glad now that she
is so only by adoption.