The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1888-12-19
A COQUETTES MISTAKE.


Walter Marlowe was travelling in Eu-
rope when the terrible news reached him
that his adopted father, Richard Roun-
dell, had been discovered murdered in
bed. Overcome at the loss of his dearest
friend, the young man hurried home. 1t
had been supposed around his native
town that Walter would be the heir of
the Rounded estate, and many believed
that the hope of some day sharing in this
fortune had induced Della Warford to
engage herself to him.
Marlowe was surprised when he called
on Miss Warford to be received with
studied GOODNESS. Later he suspected
the reason. She had learned that no
will executed by Mr.. Rounded had been
discovered, and his money therefore
must 20 to Bryce Galloway, distant
kinsman.
Everybody said il waa shame that
Walter should have been cut off with
out penny; but the rights of the heir
were indisputable, and he was compelled
to look around for employment.
He found 1t in the law office of Mr..
Bayne, staunch friend Of his fathers.
who admired the plucky way the young
man faced his adversely.
1t was not long till Bryce Galloway's
name was added to the list of Della
Warford's worshipers; and this time
the proud beauty was able to decide
without dallying. Mr. Galloway was
too good catch to be trifled with. 1t
is in such cases that delays are most
dangerous. Accordingly, when Mr..
Galloway popped the question" instead
of couple Of months being required
for the answer, it came in less than a
couple of minutes, and made Mr.. Gallo
way the happiest of men.
The scales had now fallen from Walter
Marlowe's eyes; and as he sat of even
ings, reading or conversing with pretty
Ada Bayne, whose warm and gentle
heart yielded him its kindliest sympa-
thy. he began to wonder how he could
ever have been so smitten with the self
asserting beauty of Della Warford.
The shadows of night were beginning
to fall as Bryce Galloway walked along
lonely path. seemingly buried in
thought. The character of his reflection
was not overpleasant If one might judge
from the expression of his face.
AT length the figure of man came
out Of the darkness into the path before
him, and the two, without speaking,
stepped aside to more secluded place.
''For what have you sought this meet
ing. Kasper Brock?" asked Bryce Gallo
way in sullen tone.
"Yc. might guess, one would suppose"
the other answered.
al prefer you should explain yourself"
In Nlao oy,t 81, t,, 90;
it seems necessary to keep it in your
rich kinsman and steal bis will, if one
existed, that his fortune might be
yours
Sand you received your pay?"
"But not enough!' growled Kasper
Brock.
1T was the sum agreed upon," replied
the other.
whats an agreement between such as
you and rue ?" was the jeering retort.
81 will give no more" replied Gallo.
way.
II will force you"
"How ?"
Listen; made you believe that !
found no will. That was false. There
Uas toiH and haze iti'
"Villainp Kissed Bryce Galloway
through his clinched teeth, springing
fiercely on his companion, whom he
dealt quick blow with his right hand
in which weapon cleaned in the dim
light. The man uttered O faint cry, and
fell heavily to the ground.
Then, STOPPING over his victim, Gallo
way made hasty but thorough search
of his person, after which he turned and
fled.
Next morning there was great COM
motion.
A mans dead body had been found,
the breast pierced by murderous wound.
The coroner was summoned, and every
body flocked to the inquest, Bryce Gal.
loway among the rest.
AT first there was no clue, either ia
the victim or the murderer. But the
former was soon identified by the village
innkeeper as stranger who had come To
his house the afternoon before, and had
gone out in the evening, without return.
ing, leaving behind small valise.
The valise was produced and opened.
Among its contents were two papers, one
bearing these words, freshly written:
1 go, by appointment, to meet Bryce Gallo
way, by whose procurement / murdered Rich
ard Rounded, whose will also stole. If do
not return, or am found dead, lay my death
to Bryce Galloway's door. With this paper
will be found the stolen will.
KAsPER BROCK.
Galloway's face became pale with ter.
ror. He turned as if to flee, but men
placed themselves in his way. Before q
hand could be laid upon him he drew
a pistol and placed it TO his breast
There was a sharp report and the guilty
man fell a corpse.
The will, which was in Mr.. Roundell's
own handwriting, left everything tc
Walter Marlowe. The witnesses were