Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-09-17

lie is-no one knows where" re-
/ piled Harry: but you are too weak 20
either talk Or listen"
No, I'm not, Harry; tell me about
it"
He yet hesitated, but l urged him,
and he yielded.
John Layton disappeared a week
I ago. he said "Absconded is the bet
/ ter word, for he took with him quite
an amount Of money belonging 10 his
father. The old gentleman Is very
( Wroth, and has used everv means 20
/ find him, but has not succeeded Fan
ny Morton-thcy were to be marmed
soon. You knows almost crazy about
it, and viii not believe that John in
tended to do anything wrong. This is
all that IS known about il. But, speak
ing OF marriage, did you know that
/ Gerald Macburn and Jenny Magrair
I are to be married Tomorrow"
John Layton is dead said l. with
out answering his question. though it
sent pain through my heart that was
agony TO me "IIe is dead, Harry Will
mot"
] AtsAa y Et-++Nt* ~ AA&N pay a.
There, Fred, | wouldn't talk any
more" said he. You are very weSk
yet Try and sleep"
''You think | am still crazy, Harry''
Don't, Fred, don't! If you ever ex-
pect to get off this sick bed, you must
be more reasonable.
My question was answered. turned
my face To the wall and tried to deter
mine in my own mind whether was
sane or not
l went to sleep thinking Of it; and
when | awollc the sun was going down.
Harry, who had been ont during
my sleep, had just returned, and his en-
trance had probably walked me
GLOW do you feel now, Fred?" said
he, drawing chair to the bedside.
much better and stronger, Harry. /
have had most refreshing sleep"
We talked awhile, and then l alb
ruptly asked him if he would grant me
one favor on the morrow
Certainly Fred, if it isn't asking too
much.
at will be quite easy, though none
the less important. win you promise to
carry out my directions faithfully?"
IF reasonable, yes. But couldn't
you postpone it for day? You know
the wedding comes off tomorrow.
Not an hour, Harry, after sunrise
in the morning; and it should be done
tonight, if it were not too late"
"Well, go on, Fred, and let us hear
what it is.
did not tell him what l had seen
from the housetop, for | did not con-
slider myself competent to make an ac-
cusation against anyone, but l de-
scribed the spot where firmly believed
that | saw Gerald Macburn murder
John Layton, and | requested him to
take three or more companions with
him-men that could be trusted-and
explore the spot thoroughly.
"Wll you promise, Harry? Now,
don't say you will and then forget t,
thinking | do not know what | am
talking about, for l tell you am not
insane now"
"Well, Fred promise.
knew that Harry could be depend
ed upon, and felt much relieved, pass
ing very quiet night.
Gerald Macburn was to be married at
nine o'clock, and at ten they were to
start on their wedding tour.
This was why was in such haste If
he was guilty, as / firmly believed, /
wished to prevent the marriage, or at
least to arrest him before he stepped
aboard the train.
/ har dly know how passed the time
till Harry's return, | was SO impatient.
heard the carriages of the guests
drive up to the door, and | could faint
ly hear the busy hum of preparation
below; and then the old town clock,
striking the hour of eight, startled me.
Only one hour longer, and Harry had
not returned. What if he had missed
the spot?
l watched the hands of the little
clock, and for once they went too fast.
| / could almost see them move. Twenty
twenty-five - thirty minutes past
eight, and would he never come! Yes,
thank God! heard the galloping of a
horse on the graveiled road, and in a
moment more Harry entered the room
flushed with excitement.
What did you find, Harry? Quick
! Quick!'
''The body of John Layton"
81 knew it, Harry! ! saw the deed
/ saw the murderer But there is no
time to lose. The wretch must be Sc
cured before it is too late. Bring a
magistrate and. an officer as quick as
you can.
lie was not long away, and he
brought with him the old doctor, who
was also justice, while an officer en-
tered by the back door and adroitly
made his way to my room. unobserved.
| made my deposition, the warrant
was issued and handed to the officer,
and he went softly down the stairs to
make the arrest.
He was not moment too soon, nor
too late, and he laid his hand upon
Gerald Macburn's shoulder just in time
to prevent Jenny Magrair from becom-
| ing the wife of murderer.
Macburn was tried, convicted and ex-
| ecuted.