The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-17
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE GRAVE GIVES UP ITS DEAD.

1
| TIE GRAVE GIVES UP ITS DEAD.
Enoch Broadhurst, his wife, the Jep-
sons, Jerrold, James Rutledge, and sew
| eral others were present when the remains
| of Alexander Rutledge were eIhumed
They were remarkably we'll preserved.
James Rutledgs with the first glance
exclaimed: This is not my brother!'
The others looked on while he pro-
ceeded to describe certain marks on his
brother that some there were able to re-
call, now that the brother spoke Of them.
A scar on one leg was so deep that every
body remembered it who knew him from
youth up. Another mark almost as
easily found was a nick in the left ear.
Still another was q cloeen thumb nail,
split when he was o boy, and that never
was thoroughly joined afterward.
There was no scar on the right leg-no
scar OF either leg. There was no sign of
nick in either ear; the nails were per-
feet.
Then James Rutledge gave his brother s
height Half q dozen remembered 1t.
The dead man was at least two inches
shorter. Then number of differences
all sufficient in themselves to change
peoples opinions-were pointed out.
Finally the group marveled how they
could have made the mistake 30 easily.
But if this was not Alexander Rutledge,
where was he?
MY brother may be dead, said James
Rut,edge. 1T is wonder half Of us are
here. But my brother did not shoot him
self. Now, this man did, or else some
one shot him. I propose going right to
the bottom Of this business. I have
taken some of you into my confidence.
The last man who saw my brother alive,
I have reason to believe, is herein
Johnstown. Ny authority is 81 Harkess
"a man known 80 many of you. I pro-
pose now that We 60 direct to the man
who last visited Alexander Rutledge.
sent to him, asking him to meet me. He
did not see fit to come. Now We will 60
to him."
Then the remains of the unidentified
man with the bullet wound we're inferred
again, and the group moved away, bear
ing with them the lights theT required.
The remains were viewed lats in the
evening, rendering artificial light neces-
sary.
Mr.. James Rutledge led the way direct
ly to the spot where Giles Brockle was
urging his workmen to make create,
haste.
As the party neared the workmen Giles
looked up, wondering who they we're,
surmising that it was Broadhurst and
Squire Jepson. The workmen had sue
ceeded in removing several beams that
had been in the way. Giles Brockle's
impatience meantime got the better OF
him. Ho had procured keg OF powder,
which he himself opened, and taking q
considerable quantity from it, he was de-
vising way to blow the metal obstacle
out of the way, SO that he could enter the
door, to which all his energies had been
directed.
He ordered the workmen to clear the
space in front of the object. When this
was done, to everybody's astonishment it
proved to be small iron safe. 1t was
less than fourth of the dimensions of
the safe Giles was resolved to open.
"Here!" he said, in @ masterful man
ner to the workmen; get out of this, all
of YOU. I want to do this my own way.
I'll send it out Of the road; I'll blow it
out of this hole in tenth Of time you
fellows would be planning to lift it out. l"
He made fuse, placed lot of powder
in tin cup, pushed the cup under the
safe, attached the fuse made of rags and
paper, lit it, and sprang nimbly out Of the
opening the workmen had made.
1t was at this jurcture the group from
the mountain side approached him. AS
they neared the spot terrific explosion
occurred. Fragments of wood flew in all
directions. Several of the lights were
extinguished. There Was sufficient light
left, however, to reveal to everybody an
iron safe which was thrown completely
out of the large opening in the debris
made by the workmen.
The safe was turned completely over,
and the door was lying wide open. Two
or three packages of papers lay on top OF
the door.
Giles Brockle sprang forward to seize
! these packages, when vise- like grip
closed OF his wrist, and James Rutledge
said, in q loud, commanding voice:
Those papers are not yours. They are
mine"
How are they yours?" demanded Giles
Brockle, fercely.
Because that is my brothers. (Alexan-
der Rutledge'sy safe"
The light shone full upon the top OF
the safe and on the inside of the open
door. On each all plainly sow Ale1an-
der Rutledge's name.
Giles Broekle was dumb with amaze.
ment. What force, what power under
heaven could lift the safe out of the vel
he had flung it into? And by what strange
chance had the force of the food borne
it this distance to lodge it right in hil
way?
IF it is your brothers safe, take it.
Get it out Of the way; and want you al
to get out of my way. I am minding my
own business. Leave me to mind my owl
affairs and you attend to yours"
@Stay!" said Enoch Broadhurst, as ht
opened one of the papers. I hold in my
hand Mr.. Peters will, in which he be.
queathes all his property to Rose Parker
and which names two of us, Jepson ant
myself, executors.
"And which I Witnessed" added Ton
Jerrold, soberly.
Giles Brockle looked around him
Then he looked at the mountain side
Across those mountain tops his Uncle, Pc
ters now lay on his death-bed. Per
haps he was dead. He had not taken tht
trouble to 60 near him, or ask afte:
him, for two days. He had not looked
on his uncle's face for months.
Giles Brockle lifted a hand, and, skak
ing it in the direction of South Forl
dam. said:
Curses light on the man who cut me-
off without q pennyi Curses rest on hin