The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-02-07


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. / wds the friend of Karl Vandible.
Ny name is Starbright, and"
''Do you deny that you attempted his
life!' interrupted the doctor.
Il do, most emphatically."
you did not strike HIM down in Cali
fornia!'
mo"
"You did not set hired assassins on his
track but few weeks since, and sink his
body in dark pool in the woodss'
White, stern, grim as fate was the face
of DIR. Arthur Cotton as he put these
questions swiftly to the trembling man be-
fore him.
"N-n-or' faltered Captain Starbright,
Keeling and cringing.
"Then, perhaps, you will dare deny these
things to another witness"
DIR. Cotton turned swiftly and flung wide
the door. Two men crossed the threshold.
Captain Starbright glared wildly into the
face of the foremost man, then he uttered
great cry of agony and terror. The dead
had indeed come back to earth to stand as
witness against HIM.
"Karl Vandible aliveI'
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.
81 am not dead, Lawrence Brandon"
said the wronged Californian, in solemn
voice. GA 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
from the watery grave into which your
mlnlouS had cast me. The stone broke
loose at the outset. was unconscious for
some time, and these friends conveyed NE
to Stonetield in 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 knew every thing. My head is yet
sore, and am very weak, yet 1 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 left there by me,
and spying you moving toward the pool /
logged your steps and executed a little
tableau that frightened you so that you
swooned. From your pocket distracted
this" holding up delicate vial, switch the
good doctor informs me is a subtle and
deadly poison. You have used it. My
brother Morgan died from it's effects before
he signed the will, to which you afterward
affixed his name. Your race is run, Law
renee Brandon. You have many murders
to answer for, all to gain million that was
not for you.'
AS the man paused Lura held alofta fold
ed document.
''The last will and testament of Morgan
Vandib]e, which leaves all his property to
Karl, his beloved brother This will has
been concealed, and is the only genuine
document in existence from the hand of
Morgan Vandible. / congratulate YOU. Mr..
Vandible."
Starbright dropped h hands and glared
at the paper in hopeless, despairIng way
His face was like death itself
"And now," said Karl Vandible, 81 have
the satisfaction of turning you over to the
custody of an officer, Lawrence Brandon
''Wait,' cried the culprit, huskily, as
Vandible's companion advanced, displaying
pair of handouts. Then he came to his
feet and shrank back across the floor
toward the window.
''Seize himn' cried Lura. There's a
ladder at the window. He will escape"
'Halt, STRIP
II will not be taken allve!" 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.
81 feel that I 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 the 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 acquaintance.
Captain Starbright.
Bodily and mental suffering had done it's
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. 1t was
as false as my life has been. Where
where is Austin Wentworth He ought to
be here"
the doctor.
And for my crime. Yes, it auas mine. I
meant to get rid of them both when 1 fired
| that shot. My aim was not good. l was
nervous, l suppose. Dropping the pistol /
he'd, and making swift detour, came upon
Austin and Grace from the direction of the
house. Hope he may be set free. And
Grace
''She is improving"
IL am glad"
Sand now" said Karl vandible, tell u;
ABOUT the others, the viii, and-n
Every thing said against me is true.
even 10 forging the name of your brother
a. Ao never WOULD nave changed
tne nrst one had he not supposed you dead
never"
Inc dying man was breathing huskily.
Boon ne opened his lips and told the story
OF ms vlllainy, confessing every thing.
"Now--now, can you ever forgive me for
tne wrongs l did, Karl-Karl, YOU who
were once my friends" 1altered the diving
man at the last. 'Ae
hari thought of his own sufferings, of the
oead brother FASTENED to his grave by
poison administered by the hand of the man
before him, and remained silent.
~. W can not" groaned the dying man.
"A higher power may-look there not n