The Penn's Grove record., 1886-03-20

Il uEu 4 udl RdooSO bhCbA lpN oACROs
Lucy sprang after me and laid her
hand upon my arm.
as he-dead? Have-you found
him?" she asked eagerly, yet brokenly,
1--WE have not found him and it is
impossible he can live," l replied
hoarsely.
Her hand dropped off my arm and
she uttered a low cry.
l strobe on quickly until l stood before
the police station. Here l paused a
moment, just to catch a glimpse of the
sun lifting its head over the hills to the
east, and lighting up the sails of a
bark a few miles away IN the offing.
Now farewell hope and life and
everything that makes life dearI' l eX-
claimed, as l turned quickly and en-
tered the station.
Then in a few words l told my tale,
and gave myself up as the murderer of
Hugh Darcy. OF Lucy, or the aus
and myself, l said nothing.
My story seemed rather to bewilder
the serieant in charge; but presently
be sent one of his men to ask Mr.. Fitz-
gerald if he would be so good as to call
at the barracks on a very important
matter,
This is somewhat out of the usual
course, " he said to me, in explanation.
I'm the ordinary way l should take
you across to the house. But, as Mr..
Fitzgerald is your uncle, and the near
est magistrate, and as you might not
wish to be paradod backwards and for
wards before all the people, | thought
he might come here"
THANK you for your attention" l
replied in a resigned tone. but !
would rather you parade me before
all Ireland than before my uncle"
"0h, [ should have to take you be-
fore him anyhow The only question
is whether here or at the house,
'Oh, here-here, by all means!" !
answered.
Then laid my face on the table and
shut out the light witt ~ bonds
Presently L heard the footsteps of my
uncle i'll the passage outside, and the
next moment he entered the room.
started to my feet and stood before
him. lie took no no.ice of me, but
looked at the SERGEANT.
"What is the-the important matter
you wished to see about, s~erjeant?" he
asked neryously, while his face grew
pale as death. sis ii a charge of any
kind? And could it not have been
brought before me in the usual way?"
1T is a charge of murder, your wor-
ship" replid the sergeant. And. as
the prisoner''-my uncle shiYered at
the word-''is your nephew, | thought
you would prefer to take the charge
| here"
"I-I-why should YOU thing SOP"
asked my uncle trying to looh stern,
but failing in the attempt. "My OWN
daughter is nothing to me in the dis
charge of my duty. But-but what
did you say? Acharge of-of murderP
Surely not a charge of murder?"
YES, your worship; the prisoner
himself confesses to it," answered the
SERGEANT.
Good HeavenI" cried my uncle, as
he staggered across the floor and sank
into a chair.
There he sat for few moments his
hands covering his face. Then he dis
closed his white Mortified face again,
and, carefully avoiding a sight of me,
turned to the serjeant.
"Wtll, WELL" lie said, in a broken
voice that went to my heart, Ego on.
| am ready. Are there any witnesses?"
Yes, n of your own servants,
sir-Michael Flanagan, who, the prs
oner tells me, saw the deed"
zone of my own servants!" ex
claimed my uncle. "Saw the deedl
Well, well, bring him in.'
"Here he is, sir" replied the ser
jeant, as Michael entered and stood be-
fore my uncle, shaking In every limb,
as If about to be charged with the crime
himself.
"Well, Michael said my uncle
slowly, what is this You saw-this-"
Accident, sir, " replied Michael, as
if about to faint-''it was only an acct
dent sir. You see, sir, the grass was
wet an slippy, sir, an the poor young
gintleman, sir, he slipped, sir, an went
over, sir, into the say, you see."
son, Michael, don't think Of me-
speak the TRUTH" l cried. Uncle,
swear him." q
"ITold your tongue, Garrett Fits
gerall!' cried my uncle, attempting,
the tone of a judge dealing with Il re-
factory prisoner. $50 you say. Michael
it was an a%ccident?"
Yes, j -yes, your honor, an acct
dent as true as truth"
"That disposes of the charge of muir
der, l think, SERGEANT" said my uncle.
"But this is still a serious case, and
there must be further inquiry, further
strict inquiry"
1.-THE witness has not been sworn yet
your worship" replied the sergeant
grayely.
Swear him, swear hlm!" cried my
uncle desperately, while he looked
round as if he were the prisoner and
wished to escape. "Swear him, by all
meansl FIat justiid-jidt jLStitiG TUat
- Eli. ell, what's all that noise in
the street2 WHAT'S all that shouting
about2"
AS if in answer to him, Lucy rushed
INTO the room.
"OI, papa" she cried gsspingly, yet
joyfully, ''they We they've found himl
He's not deadl The barque in the bay
"a boat picked him up-and here he
comes!"
The next moment a crushing, shout
ing, cheering crowd surrounded the
pollce-station; and presently. borne by
four Aen, Hugh Darcy wa carried into
the room.
"Savedl Savedl" cried Lucy, as she
sprang towards me and threw her arms
about my neck.
When l stopped to kiss her she had
tainted.
y
Half an hour later we were on our
way to the house, Darcy borne on a
litter, but suffering 80 little pain that
he joked with us on the way. y months
good nursing, taken in turns by Lucy
and myself, together with the pure air
Of Lisnaree soon made him himself
again.
A month later, 'to prevent acci.
dents" as my uncle said, Lucy and /
stood together at the alter of the little
church in the village and swore to love
each other eyermore. by my side stood
Hugh Darcy as ''best man." and close
behind him was Michael, whose story
Of the accident" Is still the stock