Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-01-10
CHAPTER XIV.

Win I06 18mO. y
CHAPTER XIV.
A GREAT CRIME
And i've days afterwards news WAS
flashed through the country that Abraham
Lincoln was assassinated by crazy actor,
whose mad deed branded his name with I'M
fanny, and nearly succeeded IN turning the
generous tide OF compassion for the suffer
ing South into torrent of vengeful rage,
which would have overwhelmed thousands
Of innocent lives.
Harry Winthrop and his troopers were
sent in hot haste to scour the purlieus OF
Richmond, for the murderer had fed, and
it was at first thought he had taken refuge
with sympathlzers in the ex-capital Of the
Confederacy. It was . police duty, for
which neither men nor officers had q fancy,
but it had to be done.
He was sitting one day at his quarters
examining an array OF papers which had
been just handed to him for inspection by
one of his Lieutenants. The documents
were prescriptions Of persons suspected OF
harboring Booth, and were under the es-
pecial charge of the young officer. Harry
glanced through them with istless air,
when suddenly one arrested his attention.
tsAh, Garston," he said, eagerly. "What
does this mean?"
As he spoke he handed his subaltern q
memorandum he had taken from the pile
of papers, marked: ''Lionel Frobisham.
served in Noseby's irregulars; Walter
Frobisham, Lieutenant in Confederate cav
airy, son of above; Kate Frobisham, daugh-
ter of Lionel. All reside at 1 North Cres-
cent. Bad case"
"Why, sir, have not yet had time to in
quire into the particulars of it, save so far
as the evidence Of the informer goes, but, II
he is to be relied on, these Frobishams seem
to be pretty tough lot.''
NJ no ffo svf0
GA fellow who came INTO the provost
marshal's Office while was there quite q
decent sort of chap. well-dressed and
gentlemanlv in appearance, but exceeding
ly flushed and excited"
"He gave his name, Of course?''
Eyes, have it here, for took the pre-
caution of making him sign the notes had
taken of his revelations. Here it is, sir;
| and there's the fellows autograph in full
Alphonse Lecroix.''
Harry was COO dumfounded to speak. He
took the paper from the Lieutenan:'s hand,
and read it through in silence.
1t was wild, rambling charge of treason
against the persons implicated, declaring
that of his own personal knowledge the
Frobishams, and especially the girl Kate,
had been in communication with Booth for
many weeks, and that he could prove that
they were the very center of conspiracy
to destroy the Government. Nay, he even
confessed that he had taken part in their
malicious designs, though, of course, only
with the intention of frustrating them.
tHave you conferred with any one con-
corning this matter?" Harry asked.
sNo, sir. I am just fresh from the inter-
view, and was about to consult you.'
"Then keep your own counsel and say
nothing to any one / will myself take
charge OF this case,'' Harry said, as he dis
missed his subordinate.
He was sorely perplexed. OF course he
knew that the charge of the treacherous
scoundrel was false, but IN these excited
times the veriest whisper of suspicion, no
matter from what source, might entail end
less misery On the innocent victims. Al
phonse Lecroix must be crushed once and
for all.
And why had the villain so suddenly
turned to rend the Frobishams. Pondering
over these matters, he called his orderly
and started at once for the Frobishams.
Hardly had he gone couple of blocks
than he saw Walter Frobisham hurrying
along the sidewalk; so, refining in his horse,
he beckoned the young man to his side.
"You don't let the grass grow under your
feet, Walter" he said, reprovingly. "Why,
believe you were going to pass without
recognizing me-"
Forgive me, Harry" was the response,
shut am in trouble. To tell you the truth,
I am hunting all over the city after AL
phonse Lecroix.''
All! Could it be possible that there
was something in the Frenchman's inco-
herent accusations after all? The young
| mans manner was certainly very sus-
picious.
eyes, may as well make clean breast
| of it. We have had the devil to pay at our
house; for, when carried Kate the news
of my interview with you and your strange
| revelations, she set the old folks at defiance
and cut Lecroix dead"
"Brave girl!''
eyes, I dare say she is; but not very
| polite. Her treatment drove the French
man to distraction, for he is man of strong
passions, and, what with whisky and what
| with disappointment, he is now little better
than a raving lunatic Why, this morning
| while I was away from home he terrified
Kate half out of her wits by swearing that
I'll II