Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1890-07-31


'Indade / don't. Patsy darlin'-here
It is" Brien handed the coin to the
10y, who bit 1t to test its genuiness, and
then put 1t in his mouth.
''Arrah, who's thatpr he said point
ing down the road. Brian turned to
look in the direction in which his
nephew pointed, and the moment he
did so Patsy started of like hare in
the opposite direction. The boy made
gallant run for it, but Brien soon
overlook him.
"You thafe of the worruldm he ex-
claimed, taking the youngster by the
back of the neck and shaking him.
II was only freckenin' YOU" asserted
the unblushing Patsy.
Il have a mind to break you neck by
way of no harrum," responded the now
irate uncle.
Patsy then told all about the message,
that the young couple were to meet
that night, and with parting kick as
reminder to him to keep his mouth
tightly closed, the boy was allowed to
depart.
That night the lovers met, but an
hour earlier than the conspirators ex-
pected.
''Oh, my own Maurice, sighed Kath.
leen, why will you mix yourself In
those terrible plotsp l live In daily
dread that you will be taken away
from me, and, and-oh, can not say
it."
That isn't at all like brave Irish
girl, Kathleen" replied Maurice; 1--WE
should be prepared to sacrifice some.
thing for dear ould Erin"
After little further conversation
Kathleen returned to the house. Maurice
remaining for time, for fear of some
one reporting the meeting to the
"Squireen."
He had sat there perhaps five minutes,
when he was surprised by the sound OF
Lynch's voice behind him.
| so you meet my daughter, you
blackguard:" was the salutation.
| Maurice sprang to his feet and as
sumed defensive attitude, but did not
answer.
Il warned you to kape away from me
and mine" continued Lynch, who had
beeen drinking ..
''Be quiet man, you're drunk" re-
Joined Maurice.
Without word Lynch drew re-
volver, leveled it at McDermott's
breast, and in the next moment bullet
went crushing into tho Young mans
heart. Springing several feet into the
air. he fell forward on his face and
died without groan.
Half an hour late three stealthily-
moving figures entered the dell from as
many different points, and began eau
tiously to close in on a solitary oak
tree. They arrived at their objective
point almost simultaneously, each
wearing a crepe mask.
That little divil desayved me-" said
Brien; there's no thrace of thin at all,
at all, nor hasn't BEEN"
At this moment Donahoe stumbled
over the dead body of McDermott,
which lay in the shadow of the oak.
With an exclamation of surprise he
bent down to examine the features of
the dead man.
You're wrong, Brien." said Dona-
hoe; "here he Island he the mortal, as
dead as hammer"
| For few moments the would-be.
murderers looked at the body in as
constituent. Then one idea seemed to
enter the mind of each, aud simultane-
ouSly they exclaimed:
The Fox!"
The body was found by farm
laborer two days afterwards. aud after
ten days of keen investigation a
Coroner's jury found that Maurice
McDermott was willfully murdered by
! some person or persons unknown"
From that time Bernard Lynch lived
| In constant dread of discovery and an
| ignominious death. Not the least part
| of his worry came from the fact that up
to the time he had committed the deed,
he had always been noted rs devout
Catholic. Now, he avoided his duties.
for he did not dare to go to Gods altar
with such stain on his conscience.
After desperate battle with himself
he decided that his best course was to
make his confession to Father McDer-
mott, his victims brother, and SO seal
| his lips forever, no matter what he
might some day suspect. Accordingly
as Easter drew near, he prepared him.
self, went to his duties and after q full
and unreserved confession, received
absolution for his SINS
What the feelings of Father McDer-
mott were on learning the awful truth
about Maurice's death must be left to
the readers imagination. Maurice was
his only brother, and he had loved him.
None had been more active than him
self in trying TO bring the murder to
justice, and now his lips were sealed!
This secret belonged to the church.
Ten years passed away and the MUIR
der of Maurice McDermott was almost
forgotten. Beautiful Kathleen Lynch
had devoted her life to the service OF
the poor and as Sister of Mercy had
brought relief and ease to many Q
suffering man and woman.
Bernard Lynch was now more like q
man Of 70 than of co. One day he was
walking slowly and painfully. with the
aid Of stick, when the priest, also on
foot, overlook him. Strangely enough,
1t was the anniversary Of Maurice's
death. Both men remembered 1t, and
the priest with some return of the old
feeling, wished to pass on after SIM
pie salutation.
Don't hurry. Father" said Lynch.
Surely you can spare few minutes to
poor ould invalid. It's a strange
thing they never found 1t out" he con-
tinued, after they had walked few
yards in silence.
Found what out?" inquired the
priest, with curious CLEAN in his eyes
which Lynch did not notice.
""The murder" answered Bernard,
surprised at the question.
What murder do you meanp" asked
the priest, with much apparent obtuse-
ness.
Don't you remember my comics.
sion?"
Your confession?" echoed the
priest, what confessionp"
Sure your mimory musht be goin',
Father" replied Lynch.
1T is not so good as it was, ented
the priest, mildly. what confession
are you talking about, for you've made
many one to me-"
Il name the time confessed I sent
bullet into your brothers heart" said
me old man in a low voice.
In an instant the priests manner
changed. His eyes flashed with
plaQpn of trinntph a,I h. H.. L..