Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-02-24
CHAPTER XXX1I.

Don't put yourself out, DOCTOR" said the
Captain, with an assumption of GOODNESS he
did not feel. Il care nothing for this yarn
of yours, and can not wait to hear it"
He came to his feet.
| ''Sit down." ordered Lura, emphasizing
the order by covering him with her cooked
| revolver. He sank back into his chair with
muttercd imprecation against the ''tiger
| cat"
ut was in California about two years
ago that my FIRST scene opens" proceeded
the doctor. Two men among the gold
hills of that State became bosom friends
Lawrence Brandon and Karl Vandible.
| They first met IN San Francisco and went
| 20 the mountains together Karl Vandible
was an eccentric man past the meridian of
| life, enc who had seen better days, he as
! serted, and Brandon believed him. In time
Vandible made confidant of his young
friend, Brandon, and told him a strange
story Of the past.
Karl had been the black sheep in the
family of four boys. Two were dead, and
Karl, the youngest, had drfted to Cali
fornia in search of adventure even at the
age of ffty-six. He assured Brandon
that it was not really necessary for him tc
light hand to hand with the world, since
/ ne had brother who was millionaire in
one OF the States beyond the Mississippi
That brother SAID Karl, always sympa.
thlzed with me, and defended me against
the assaults of others. was proud how
ever, and wouldn't accept his bounty.
haven't seen Morgan for ten years, but ]
know he must be very old man now
Then Karl Vandible took from his
pocket letter which had lately come from
his aged brother beyond the mountains. /
will read a part of it,
The non'f'"'HNt expression on the Cap.
AIMS I" 1 to nervous agitation
as DR.. { forth a wrinSled en-
velope, si;.... and frayed at the edges
from apparent rough usage.
This is nothing to me- growled the Cap
iain, again attempting to rise.
''Sit DOWN.
Again Starbright looked into the muzzle
Of Lura's revolver and subsidized without
more words.
Opening the letter, DR.. Cotton proceeded:
"'Come home, Karl. 1 am intending tc
pass the remainder of my days at Lone
Hollow. the old stone house where you once
staid for day and liked the hunting so well.
\ on shaL<one day own the place and every
thing that have. In fact, l have made a
will in your favor, leaving everything te
you with the one condition that you allow
my granddaughter, Grace Penroy, an an.
uuity of twenty thousand year after she
comes of age. make the stipulation be.
cause l love the girl, and she has been most
dutiful and kind to me. You are twenty
years my Junior, and will have ample time
to enjoy my wealth after am gone. Come,
Karl, l am becoming feeble; feeling my
years and infirmities more and more every
day, and wish to ENJOY your company 3
little while before pass to the other shore
If You receive this am sure YOU will not
refuse to grant the prayer of your last OF
kim
THAT is the substance of the letter read
to Lawrence Brandon by Karl Eandible,"
said DR.. Cotton, land it was that letter that
influenced Brandon to commit an awful,
crime"
"What is this to mes" demanded CAPTAIN
Starbright, CURLY. Il can not remain -"
"But you must remain" declared Lura,
with seeming malicious satisfaction. And
he did
1.-THE reading of that letter set evil
thoughts at work in the brain of Lawrence
Brandon" proceeded the DOCTOR ssHe
suddenly conceived the idea of winning tho
Vandible million for himself. Karl ex.
pressed q determination to return to tho
States, and Brandon expressed desire to
accompany him. The two set out from the
mining camp together; but one of them
reached ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Brandon.
In the night time he stole up behind his
companion, dealt him murderous blow
from behind, and then, after making sure
of his death, he hurled the body into a |
SuLcu dHte uaSteneu on ms way. will be |
brief for time is speeding. Brandon came
to the States and finally ensconced himself
at Lone Hollow. He told of his friendship |
for Karl, Morgan's brother, and of how he |
had been with him when he died in a lonely |
cave on the gold range. Morgan was deep. |
~ grleved. For Karrs sake he befriended |
brandon, who now bore the assumed name
of Starbright-" |
This is falser'
"Sit downr' commanded Lura, as the
villain attempted to rise 81 won't SPEAK |
again, either. A bullet will be the next |
compliment you'll getp'
White now, with cold sweat standing out |
in great drops, the pseudo Captain was |
obliged to listen to the remainder of the |
narrative.
Lawrence Brandon murdered his trust |
ing friend and came East for the purpose of
stealing fortune. Had his murderous /
blow succeeded, all might even now be well |
with this villain. Karl Vandible was not /
killed, however. He lived and came East.
but the blow had affected his brain and he |
was demented.