The Iola register., 1889-05-24

| lion put yourself out, d0ctOr,' Sald tht
Captain, with an assumption of coolness ht
did not feel. 81 care nothing for this yarr
of yours, and can not wait to hear it."
He came to his feet.
''Sit down." ordered Lura, emphasizing
the order by covering him with her cooked
revolver. He sank back into his chair with
muttered imprecation against the ''tigel
cat"
1T was In California about two years
ago that my first scene opens," proceeded
the doctor. Two men among the gold
hills of that State became bosom friends
Lawrence Brandon and Karl Vandible
They first met IN San Francisco and went
to the mountains together. Karl Vandible
was an eccentric man past the meridian OF
life, one who had seen better days, he as
serted, and Brandon believed him. In time
Vandible made confidant of his young
friend, Brandon, and told him a strange
story of the past.
''Karl had been the black sheep in the
family of four boys. Two were dead, and
Karl, the youngest, had drIfted TO Cali
fornia in search of adventure even at the
| age of fifty-sx. He assured Brandon
that it was not really necessary for him to
fight hand to hand with the world, since
he had a brother who was a millionaire in
one of the States beyond the Mississippi.
That brother,' said Karl, always sympa-
thized with me, and defended me against
the assaults of others. l was proud, how
ever, and wouldn't accept his bounty. ]
haven't seen Morgan for ten years, but
know he must be a very old man now'
"Then Karl Vandible took from his
pocket letter which had lately come from
his aged brother beyond the mountains. /
will read part of it,
The nonchaiant expression on the Cap
tain's face changed to nervous agitation
as DIR. Cotton drew forth a wrinkled en-
velope, stained and frayed at the edges
from apparent rough usage.
"This is nothing to me-" growled the Cap
tain, again attempting to rise.
..Sit DOWN.
Again Starbright looked into the muzzle
of Lura's revolver and subsidized without
more words.
Opening the letter, DR.. Cotton proceeded: {:
".Come home, Karl. / am intending to
pass the remainder Of my days at Lone
Hollow. the old stone house where you once
staid for day and liked the hunting so well.
You shall one day own the place and every
thing that have In fact, l have made q
will in your favor, leaving everything to
you with the one condition that you allow
my granddaughter, Grace Penroy, an an
nuity of twenty thousand u year after she
comes Of age. l make the stipulation be-
cause love the girl, and she has been most
dutiful and kind to me. You are twenty
years my junior, and will have ample time
to enjoy my wealth after am gone Come,
Karl, l am becoming feeble; feeling my
years and infirmties more and more every
day, and wish to empty your company
little while before pass to the other, shore.
II You receive this am sure You will not
refuse to grant the prayer Of your last of
kim.
THAT is the substance of the letter read
to Lawrence Brandon by Karl Fandible,"
said Dr. Cotton. land it was that letter that
influenced Brandon to commit an awful
crime"
What is this to me!" demanded Captain
Starbright, curtly. II can not remain -"
'sBut You must remain" declared Lura,
with seeming malicious satisfaction. And
he did.
s.The reading of that letter set evil
thoughts at work in the brain of Lawrence
Brandon proceeded, the doctor. HE
suddenly conceived the Idea of winning the
Vandible million for himself. Karl ex-
pressed determination to return to the
States, and BrandosSe expressed desire to
accompany him. The two set out from the
mining camp together; but one of them
reached Sacramento-Lawreuce Brandon.
In the night time he stole up behind his
companion, dealt him a murderous blow
from behind, and then, after making sure
of his death, he hurled the body into a
gulch and fastened on his way. l will be
brief for time is speeding. Brandon came
to the States and finally ensconced himself
at Lone Hollow. He told of his friendship
fo- Karl, Morgan's brother, and of how he
had been with him when he died in lonely
cave on the gold range. Morgan was deep
ly grieved. For Karls sake he befrended
Brandon, who now bore the assumed name
of Starbright-"
''This is falser'
''Sit DOWN. commanded Lura, as the
villain attempted to rise. 81 won't speak
again, either. A bullet will be the next
compliment you'll. get!''
White now, with cold sweat standing out
in great drops, the pseudo Captain was
narrative.
Lawrence Brandon murdered his trust
ing friend and came East for the purpose Of
blow succeeded, all might even now be well
with this villain. Karl Vandible was not
killed, however. He lived and came East,
but the blow had affected his brain and he
as de mented.
"Instead of coming to Lone Hollow he
hid in a cave, once counterfelter'S resort, |
in Hangman's Gulch. Sometimes he had
moments of sanity, but they were of short
IJol l@l Il ~ 20 II
to meet Lawrence Brandon. He did meet
him finally, and recognized him. He fired |
with the intention of taking life. Somehow,
j. seems that Brandon, alias Starbright, !
lived to concoctf urther schemes of villainy, !
among them the poisoning of Grace Penroy,
that he might, through a forged will, seize
upon the million left by Morgan Vandible."
That will is not forgery
keep quiet" ordered Lura.
Il have come near TO the end of my |
story" proceeded DR.. Cotton, with the ut |
most gravity. Before you went to Cali |
fornia you had sought to win the hand of |
Miss joyce. She read your character and !
despised you. Afterward, when she learned |
that you were at Lone Hollow, she re- |
solved TO thwart your designs upon the
unsuspecting old man Vandible and upon |
Grace. although at that time she knew moth
ing of the crime you had committed among |
the gold hills of California.
disguised Fingal, the hunter. she has
been quite successful in thwarting your |
villainy. Your attempt upon her life on
two occasions failed signally. She discov-
cred your attempt to poison her cousin"
by heaven! this is too much" grated |
the Captain, white and trembling, at the |
same time coming to his feet. This plot
arranged between you and this shameless
girl will not succeed. In good faith came
here. l ,eds the friend of Karl Vandible.