The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-02-24


room, with the morning sunlight stream
ing in at the open window when she
came to knowledge OF external things.
She arose, stiff and bewildered, and
thrustiug aside the weeping woman
servant who sat beside the bed, staggered
out the half-opcE door.
Mr.. Quill was pacing the corridor, his
face vcrv pale. Ever and anon he turned
a shuidcring look in the direction OF the
closed room not far away. Daisy tottered
forward and dropped her trembling hand
upon his arm.
4 his Is drcadful-tOo dreadful" she
hoarsely breathe I.
lie was not 4 man much given 70 dis
plays OF sympathy, but as he looked into
her Young white hOrrOr-stricken face his
gray ewes filed with tears.
"Iou know all, poor child? The
worst %
IN returned his gaza, 4 sudden fear
freeHng tn bloc arounI h-r heaat.
"a!v husband Where is he ~
They have taken him away y-to the
county jail
10 need to ask upon what charge
Daisy gave a gasp and leaned heavily
ayaill~t the wall. Alter a momentary
struggle, she asked quite calmly
Nv hat IS the nature OF the evidences
against him."
"Cir.umstantial, OF course. It Is gem
orIlly understood that a will was drawn
mp Yesterday. Bcin, in your favor the
wIie ol the accused, 1t furnishes a motive
iur the deed One OF the servant -reach-
cI the scene Of the tragedy lust a. YOU
fell in fainting lit. He SAW Eustlce
turn away from the couch and after
ward picked up the fatal dagger from
the floor. i bore Eustace'5 name upon
the handle
My God O my God"
\ mist rose before her eyes again.
Il ] Il. -
lay for some moments with her face
burr ed il her hands.
Had it come 10 this, that Eustace
could dip his hands into human blood
merely 10 hasten the time when the
Brandt million should come under his
control? She felt Is if she were going
mad
~Oh, no, nor' she cried. springing TO
her feet again. impossible My hus-
band could never have committed 50
foul = crime
AIl the OH love and trust came back,
foo linz her soul The very bllckuess
Of the charge made her doubt its Justice
While she stood there, a messenger
entered with a folded strip Of paper that
contaiucl these words
Let the world think what it will; YOU
my darling wife, must never for one
moment doubt my innocence
That WAS all. Daisy burst into tears
and kissed over and over again her hus-
band name, which was signed 10 the
note.
Il never Will she said
Later there came a peal at the rusty
knocker an Richard Langley was shown
into the library where Daisy sat with Mr..
Quill and .vcr ] Of the corouers Jury.
His haggarl face S'ill showed the eff cts
OF the accident that hal beiallen him
that wild, temp -otuou- night. Bat his
dark eyes burned with a strange, intense
glitter.
Il set ont the instant / heard Of nv
great uncle $ tragic death he said alb
rUpt.E coming down the long room and
seating hims Ii in the midst OF the group
there assembled. 1T does not surprise
me that EustaCe has stopped TO a shock
ing crime OF course he expected TO
profit by il. As an interested party, /
have a right to inquire how Rudolph
Brandt : immense wealth has been LETT
"Certlinly' the lawyer replieI. "A
Will was duly executed yesterday in
favor OF my client IS granddaughter"
The newcomer glanced al Daisy. and
his white fa-e and burning eyes held her
gaze Ike a magnet.
"InAcel. Perhaps you VIII be good
enough 10 let me see it.
"Ot course"
The lawyer rose and unlocked the
ebony cabin t clskct at his elbow. After
iumbiinr a moment among the papers in
on OF the drawers ho uttered a cry OF
dismav.
Il placed the will in this cabinet last
night but it Is missing"
E&chlrIs low, chuckling laugh seemed
TO O.! the Iopm.
My Uuaa may have rcpoutcd. AMI
4'oIoTc tha document after you left
L..a. no l'a burnt paper Ia thu graf
Mr. Quill GRO 81 the room. turning
,'1la a. lac p.clci up a fragment that hal
yyrn !clt uu.onsumed.
Yes, na said huskily, 'the will has
been destroyed.
80, - Then sail ard, "the last one
believe. WAS drawn up five years ago.
"nA w2s ia my favor, Mr.. Quill"
/ The lawyer bit his ips.
- Will make thorough search and see
what can be iound,' he said.
-Ay, 10" remarked Richard, with his
sardonir smile.
Mr.. Quill began his srarch in the
.owcr drawer of the cabinet, and his face
.-i:'cd mp with satisfaction as he glanced
at tac date Of a document therein
My Late client hal a passion for will
making. lac said. This i one | drew
up at his d.ctution six months ago At
the time he had given up all hope Of
ever learning the tate of his daughters
lost chill i'
lie cleared his throat and began to
real aloud. II j. only necessary to say
Of this document that il cut Richard off
with a shilling, and gave everything TO
EGstaCc Dare.
LcharI sprang UP with an insane
laugh, and began 10 caper about the room
before the reading WAS concluded.
1t J. like a farce" he cried First
l'a#sv, then myself then Eustace But
| iAat wretch shall shall never have the
| h:n ..:us OF a single dollar. How / hate
h.m, May lac rot'in prison, and the rats
p.ek his b mos,
ai,y shu !lcrcd
''Ol ,oHrs" il Is all clear to YOU now"
| hc added ln an intense whisper rs he
! paused before her. "NOur husband
| murdered Tucle Prandt and DESTROYED
! ttc VIII IN your favor, that lac might in
! ncilt everything and cast YOU of. Tho
| whole scene rises before my mental
! vision. ! sec him stealing like a thief
! into The house. lie has a duplicate KEY
| 10 ilie cabinet ami las first act Is 10 de-
siroy the viii. lie finds dagger in the
! cabinet, and Clutchiug it in one hand,
! -ildos mp the staircase TO the room above
where the old man lies. One swift, de
tcrmiued blow-a cry OF murder echoes
upon the still night arr. | warned YOU
! AGAINST that wretch You remember >
! We VIII outwit the cunning devil vet
! When the hau-man's moose j. about his,
neck you shall be nay bride and we Will
! Share iifS fortune together. Ia, Ia. Ia
can h,lp laughing. We shall be rich.
ricli. rich. rolling in money, | have pa I
"A deer price lor il dipped my han Is in
! a.olt-"
lie stopped short, frightened express
son showing thOagh the pailOr oi his
taco. lie seemed TO vaguely realize thc
damaging admission he had made
Giancing slowly around the room, Ia