Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-01-17

Investigations were made In every direction;
the count suspected all the business men of
the capital, dragged all the relatives of the
broker into the affair, demanded that crimi-
nal suit should be brought against the whole
world. Only of the intimate friend of the
house, the young bookkeeper, not soul had
any suspicion. OF the betrothal that had
shortly preceded the embezzlement not a
word had reached the outside world. And
the bookke sper did not enter the house at all
for time. The wife of the broker informed
him personally of what was going on. And
much indeed had been going on witii,u few
days.
The attempt was again made to bring the
accused invalid to confess. The examining
magistrate tried with gentle words to touch
his heart. The count also told him that he
would voluntarily make over to him one half
of the securities if he would confess where
he had put them and how the place of con-
cealment could be found He appealed to
their business relations of many years, which
had come to be almost friendship. The
woman did not dare to leave the sick man to
himself for she was afraid that he would
suddenly confess all
During the interview she kept her implor-
ing, beseeching, commanding gaze fixed upon
him.
And the broker feigned Inconsistencies.
They could do nothing with him and de-
parted without having gained the least point.
And, Notwithstanding had they but perse-
vered, they would have brought the tortured
sinner to confess. The intense longing to die
an honest man famed up within him for
moment, second, and gained such predomi-
nance that the woman feared and trembled.
And since such moments had come she was
watching in feverish agitation for the death
of her husband.
And just at this apparently-there
was change for the better in the condition
of the sick man. He began to feel better,
easier and took fresh courage
"God is not willing that should die in dis
grace; / shall livel" he said to his wife, and
drawing her plump hand to his lips he kissed
it long and fervently.
81 shall live, now they can come, | will re-
turn them their money. Where is PAUL.
Let him be called, he shall return me the pa
pers; | will be free"-
The woman trembled whenever she heard
step on the stairs; what if it should he the ex-
aiming magistratel Then all is lost And
at the same step the sick man rejoiced. AT
last, OH if they would only come faster, if
they were only here-if he had only already
freed his soul from this weight of sin
In the forenoon no one came. AT noon
came the physician. He smiled when he
heard the sick man boast of his recovery
"These are the last days!" he said to the
woman, out in the hall.
"Today" asked the woman
POSSIBLY, but not necessarily. He may
continue for a whole week in this condition,
and keep on feeling better till the very last
moment-the apoplectic stroke"
In the afternoon there likewise came no
one. The woman barricaded the door and
sat waiting for death. And since he tarried
she quaked with fear at every sound, think
ing it some one from the court. No one
came.
Night approached. The sick man slum-
bered quietly, and from his dreams the joy
of life smiled on his glowing cheeks. In the
adjoining room the woman pale, weary, weak
and seepless, tossed on her couch and anx-
iously waited, waited, waited.
The next day the sick man again felt bet.
ter. His heart seemed relieved from heavy
weight. He was only very impatient because
neither the bookkeeper nor the magistrate
appeared. The woman had to deceive him
by saying that both had been sent for. In
truth, however she had barricaded the door
that no one might come in. Only late in the
evening she went to her attorney and ascer-
tanned that on the morrow they We're to come
again, and that without fail. Now she no
longer knew what to do. She begged her
husband to again dissemble if he were to be
interviewed.
The sick man shook his head: mo, no; !
shall confess ~verything; | will remain hon
est no repro 81 will remain honestm
A second tii..,s 1t was night. Mother and
daughter were watching by the sick man.
He was almost joyous. He made plans for
the future-busness plans.
Oh! how many murders would be com.
mitted if it were not necessary to use vio-
lence!
The girl was nodding in half slumber;
tears were glistening in her eyes; the woman
was reading From time to time she raised
her eyes from her book to look at the clock.
Morning was approaching; in an hour OF
two day would dawn, and they would come
again She shuddered. With mad haste the
minutes flew.
And still not yet.
All, after all.
Deaths powerful hand is gliding over tho
face of the broker. A twitching hither-a
twitching thither-the bloated lips gasp for
breath, the hands convulsively grasp the
| empty air-then a short rattle-a rattle as
of pent up air escaping. Then all was over.
The woman heaved a deep sigh-a sigh
that seemed to say, AT last!
1t was morning, but in the great house il
still seemed to be night, albeit the keeper had
already opened the door. Alexander Brody
! in the Transatlantic.