Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-08-29


 spent itself, Uncle Loveday got me to bed, and there at last slept.
 It was ten o'clock in the morning when awoke, and saw my uncle sitting beside the bed. Another sun was bright in the heavens outside: the whole world looked so calm and Happy that my first impulse was to leap up and run as was my custom, to mothers roOm Then my eyes fell on Uncle Loveday and the whole dreadful truth came surging into my awaking brain. I sank back with a low moan upon the pillow.
 Uncle Loveday, who had been watching me- stepped to the bed and took my hand. Jasper boy, are you better !" After a short struggle with my grief pucked up heart to answer that was. That's brave boy. I asked, because I have yet to tell you something. I am a doctor YOU know, Jasper, and so you may take my word when say there is no good in what is called breaking news It is always best to have the pain over and done with; at least that's my experience. Now, my dear boy, though God knows you have sorrow enough there is still something to tell and if you are the boy take you for, it is best to let you know at once.'
 Dimly wondering what new blow fortune could deal me- sat up in bed and looked at my uncle hclplcssly.
 tJasper you think-do you not-that your father was drowned 7" "Of course, uncle.
 "He was not drowned" Not drowned "
 "No, Jasper, he was murdered" The words came slowly and solemnly, and l even with the first shock of surprise the whole l truth dawncd upon me. This, then, explained | the effect my name had wrought upon those | two strange men. This was the reason why, as we sat together upon Dead Mans Rock, the | eyes of John Ration had refused to meet mine this was the reason why his murderer had gripped me vciously upon Ready 1 Money Beach. These few words my unclcs began slowly to piece together the scattered puzzle of the last two days, so that l half | guessed the answer as l asked: Murdered How? ?"
 "He was stabbed to death." I knew it for 1 remembered the empty sheath that hung at RhodOani's waist and | heard again Railton's words, Captain, it was your knife" As certainly as if had fit i ted the weapon to its case, I knew that man l had prompted fathers murder. Even as l knew 1t my terror of him faded away, and a blind and helpless hate sprtng up in its stead /: 1 helpless now, but some day to be maSt"rtul and worthy of heed. Th;.: the man who called himself Georgio RhnLojani was guilty of one death, I knew from the witness of my | own eyes that he had two more lives upon ! his black accOunt-frr the hand that struck had also slain my mothtr-1 knew IS surely. And the devil has got his duo, my lads !" 1 No not yet there was still ono priceless soul for him to wait for.
 1 " He Was stabbed, repeated Uncle Iovrday, "stahbed to the heart. aHd from behind. l found this blade as 1 examined your poor fathers body. It was broken ofr close to the hilt and left in the wound, which can hardly have blcd at all. Death must have been immv- diate. It's strange business, Jasper, and a strange blade by the look of it,.
 I took the blade from his hand. It w3s about four inches in length, sharp, and curi- ously worked one side was quite lain, but the oth r was covered with intricate tr&c"rv, and down the center bordrrrd with delicate fruit and flowers, I spelled out the legend Reordati
 "What does that word mean?" I asked, as I handed back the stecl. My voice was so calm and steady that Unctn Lovtday glanced at mo for momont in -nmuzemcnt before he | answered:
 its not Latin. Jasper, but it's like Latin, and should think must mean Remember, or something of the sort
 "' Remember 1 repeated. l will, uncle. As surely as my father was murdered, I will remember when the time comes"
 They were strange words from boy. My uncle looked at me again, but doubtless think ing my brain turned with grief. said nothing.
 Have you told unybody?" I asked at length.
 II have seen nobody. There will be an inquest, of course but in this case an inquest eau do nothing. Murderer and murdered huvu both gone to their account. By the way, I suppose nothing has been seen of the man who gave evidence. It was an unlikely tale and this makes it more suspicious, Bless my soul " said my uncle, suddenly, [" to think it never struck mo before! Your father was to sail ill the BeIlo Fortune, and this man gave the ntpio of the shi as the James and Eliza beth"
 Ut was the Belle Fortune, and the man told d faiSrhOOd.
 "I suppose it must have been."
 "I know it w;iS."
 "Know? How do you know?"
 "Because the James and Elizabeth is lying at this moment ih Falmouth Harbour and her captain is down at the 'Lugger.'
 Thereupon told how had met with Cap tain Antonius Merryiew. Nay more, for my heart ached for confidence. 1 recounted the whole story of my meeting with John Raiton, and the struggle upon Dead Mans Rock. Every word told down to the dead mans legacy-the packet and the letter which I hid in the cow-house. As the tale proceeded my uncle's eyes grew wider and wider with | astonishment But held on calmly and reSO- | lutely to the end, nor after the first shock of wonderment did he doubt my sanity or truth fulness; but grew more and more gravely interested
 When had finished my narrative there was 2 long silence, Finally Uncle Loveday spoke
 "It's remarkable story-a very remarkable story," he said, slowly and thouehtfully. "In all my life have never heard so strange a tale, But the man must be caught. He can not have gone far, if, as you say, he was here at Lantrig only the night before last ex- poet they are on the lookout for him down at Polkimbra since they have heard the captains statement but all the same will send off Joe Roscorla, who Is below, to make sure Mean while, you might dress if you feel well enough. Run to the shed and get the packet we will read it over together when I have fin ished my pipe. It is a remarkable story" he repeated, as he slowly opened the door, "a most marvellous story. A most-remarkable tale"
 With this he went down stairs and left me to dress.
 I did so and ran down stairs to the cow shed. No one had been there. With eager fingers tore away the bricks from the crum- bling mortar and drew out my prize The -I.I~ --isA ..lsA A.