Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-07-04

IAih - ~ auOtuer Witness
DR.. Cotton turned swiftly and flung wide
the door Two men crossed the threshold
captain Starbright glared wildly into the
lace OF the foremost man, then he uttered a
great cry OF agony and terror. The dead
mad indeed come back to earth to stand as a
witness against HIM.
Karl Vandibie alive,,'
Then the shattered spirit sank weakly,
and Captain Starbright fell heavily into his
chair, covering his face to shut out the view.
Before them stood the man we have
known as Don Benito. the maniac. Now
there was the light of reason glowing in his
eyes, yet he was thin and pale, and leaned
on the arm of his companion, an officer, for
support.
Il am not dead, Lawrence Brandon
said the wronged Californian. in solemn
voice "a blow from your hand clouded
my brain and sent me forth demented
wanderer upon the earth. A weight of
years has whelmed me, yet did not forget
nor forgive the man who struck that blow,
the man trusted and contided in only to be
murdered, almost, by his treachery.
"Your last attempt upon my life proved
as futile as the first, thanks to this brave
doctor and his equally brave helper, Lura
Joyce. Both were on hand to rescue me
mnious had cast me. The stone broke
loose at the outset. ! was unconscious for
some time, and these friends conveyed me
to Stonefield in a light vehicle. The shock
to my system was terrible. but it served the
good turn to restore my reason.
''From the hour of my regaining conscious
ness l knew every thing My head Is Yet
sore, and l am very weak, yet l managed
last night to astound you on the brink OF
the forest pool, where you had gone to con-
template your latest villainy. l had been to
the cave after something let there by nc.
and spying you moving toward the pool |
logged your steps and executed 4 little
tableau that frightened you 50 that you
swooned. From your pocket l distracted
this" holding up delicate vial, (which the
good doctor informs me is a subtle and
deadly poison. You have used it. My
brother Morgan died from its effects before
he signed the will, to which YOU afterward
affixed his name. Your race is run. Law
renee Brandon. Yoa have many murders
to answer for, all to gain a million that was
not for YOU
As the man paused Lura held aloft fold
ed document.
ssThe last will and testament of Morgan
Vandible, which leaves all has property 10
Karl, his beloved brother. This will has
been concealed, and is the only genuine
document in existence from the hand OF
Morgan Vandible. l congratulate you, Mr..
Nandible.'
Starbright dropped h S hands and glared
ut the paper in hopeless, despalrlng way.
His face was like death itself.
.'And now said Karl Eandible, Il have
the satisfaction of turning you over to the
custody Of an officer. Lawrence Brandon. y
Watt cried the culprit, husklly, as
Eandiole's companion advanced, displayin 9
pair of handouts. Then he came to his
feet and shrank back across the floor
toward the window.
"Seize him." cried Lura There's a
ladder at the window. He will escape
HALT. sirr'
II will not be taken allver' hoarsely
uttered the haggard villain. On the instant
he presented revolver, which he always
carried in case of emergency.
This movement deferred his seizure. and
then. crouching quickly, he glided through
the open window. Both the officer ard DIR.
Cotton dashed forward and peered out. The
escaping villain made a misstep, slipped
and, with wild cry, plunged headlong to
the ground below.
IL feel that l am not long for this
world, Karl"
The voice was faltering and low, and the
lips that uttered the words blue and
shrunken. Beside the couch sat two men,
DR.. Cotton and Karl Vandible. Outside the
first snow of tho season was sitting softly
down upon the gray roof at Lone Hollow.
One would scarcely recognize in the enact
ated man on the bed our old acquainta lance.
Captain Starbright.
Bodily and mental suffering had done its
work. The plunge from the upper story OF
the great house on that night just fort
night before had given the man shock
from which he could not recover, and he
was slowly and surely dying.
There is no help for you, Captain"
Hush! Do not utter that title. It was
as false as my life has been. Where
where is Austin Wentworth He ought to
be here"
sHe is still behind prison bars" answered
the doctor.
land for my crime. Yes, it 1rds mine.
meant to get rid of them both when / fired
that shot. My aim was not good. / was
nervous, suppose. Dropping the pistol
fed, and making swift detour. came upon
Austin and Grace from the direction of the
house. Ihope he may be set free. And
Grace
She is improving"
IL am glad
''And now.'' said Karl Vandible, "tell US
about the others, the will, amt
Every thing said against me is true,
even to forging the name of your brother
10 that will. He never would have changed
the first one had he not supposed you dead
never"
The dying man was breathing husSily.
Soon he opened his lips and told the story
of his villainy, confessing every thing.
mo nr
the wrongs l did, Karl-Karl, YOU who
we're once my friend.'' faltered the dying
man at the last.
Karl thought of his own sufferings, of the
dead brother fastened to his grave by
poison administered by the hand of the man
before him, and remained silent.
''You can not!' groaned the dying man.
"a higher power may-look there, not &c
me- answered Vandible, in tones of sol
emn gravity.
Then the sinking man gasped, attempted
to speak. but failed. A convulsive shuddef
passed through his frame. gasp and then
silence-the man of evil was dead.
With his death comes the ending of our
story. We have no desire to prolong the
narrative. Through the efforts of Lura
joyce. assisted at the last by DR.. Cotton
retribution had overtaken the man who had
staked his soul in the struggle for fortune
He had meditated the destruction of the
last Penroy in his eager desire to gain the
wealth of Major VandIble. Caught, he had
fallen and died a miserable death.
Austin Wentword was at once released
The forged will was cast aside and the gen
uine probated. which was satisfactory te
all. Mrs. Penroy having the promise OF
ample pin money as well as home while
she lived, and Grace the snug sum of twenty
thousand dollars a year. This was enough
to marry on, Wentword and Grace believed