The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-11-13
nadlY through the dark nioht.

ScGlllcII
stunned to all save the sorrow in front,
the horror behind, the dying and the
dead
Not moment did he loose; neverthe-
less, he was hardly in time. One glance
ut the house on reaching it told him
that his father yet lived, and knocking,
he was admitted.
"Oh, lor, Mr.. Maurice" calculated
the old servant, in conservation, chow
i'll you look =
Il didn't get the telegram until late
last night, Edmonds, replied hisyoung
master, dropping upon hall chair,
land I've ridden on horseback nearly
all the way from Keswicl1. How is my
father? Am in time ?"
Yes, Mr.. Maurice but only just, I
fear. The doctor now is with him"
Rising. making an effort at self-con-
troll, he assembled the stairs. At the
door of his fathers room he met the
doctor.
ooh, you are come r' he whispered.
"And but just in time. ="
Without response, Maurice passed
into the darkened apartment, and
moved quickly towards the bed.
Maurice, my son !" was feebly
uttered.
"Oh, father!' cried the unhappy
young fellow, staggering forward, and
burying his head ON the pillow by his
fathers.
do not grieve, my boy. My course
is run, yours beginning. 1 leave you
rich. A bright future is before you.
May it be a happy one"
A few moments, and the doctor placed
his hand OH Maurices arm.
Come" he said, ct is oyer-,he is
free!"
Maurice Northcott truly grieved for
his father, but the deed that he himself
had done occupied his entire thought.
He found no rest night or day for the
fearful terror upon him.
Would the body be found would
he if it We're, be suspected? OF course;
he, and no other. Never could be got
from before him the sense in the gloam-
ing on that wild solitary hillside.
Once he sprang up in bed with fear
full cry. He had, for the first time, re-
collected that when he had thrown him
self on his knees by Arnold Wentworths
side, he had cast his pistol from him,
and forgotten it. That acoesId be a certltin
clue
From that moment he started and
trembled at every sound. He would
have fled hut could not until after his
fathers funeral.
Nevertheless he prepared for flight.
He would go to Spain or America
Laure could join him there With
safety, surely, could he leave the bust
ness and settlement of money matters
i'll the hands Of his fathers junior part
ner, Nicholas Hayes.
Each morning he eagerly scanned the
papers, but day after day there was
Finally, however, on the
very day of his fathers funeral, he
found it" Mysterious, discovery of
body in a beck, at Heatherside." An
inquest was to be held 1t was not
thought to be a suicide, and the police
believed that they had already clue to
the assassin.
Nerving himself he got through the
fearful day better than he could have
hoped. But it was great relief to him
when he saw the guests retire after tho
ceremony.
The last to so was Nicholas Hayes. He
was a man of middle height, spare, with
a pinkish complexion, light gray eyes,
fair eye-lashes, and sparse, reddish
straw hair. His age was about five-and-
thirty, his demanor unassuming, even
to meekness.
Reaching the door after the departed
guests, instead OF following them, clos
ing it, he returned, and leaning on =
chair, said quietly. "Mr. Northcott,
have you seen the discovery up at
Keswick !"
Maurice by an effort said, in a low
tone, s Yes; [ saw it this morning.
What of it ?"
81 would not force myself into your
confidence, Mr.. Northcott. Far from
it," said the junior partner. But IL
friend of mine returned from Keswic,,
yesterday. He WAS full of the matter.
Do you know Mr.. Northcott who is
suspected -
"Who ?" inquired Maurice, hastily.
yourself, L fear MIR. Northcott!"
responded Nicholas Hayes in whisper.
g l do not believe it; but L thought it
kindest to put you ON your guard"
But [ did do it, Hayes-I did do
it! !" Maurice almost sLrieked. - In
the struggle my pistol went off by
accident. L swear [ had no thought to
kill him-but how can prove it ? We