The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-09-10
WHAT FRED SAW.
It Was Enough to Bring q MUIR
dorer to Justice.

It Was Enough to Bring q MUIR
derer to Justice.
The day was very pleasant, but l
could not enjoy it.
Long, weary months had been in
the darkened room. and still they kept
me there. allowing no breath of the
pure, cool air TO reach my feverish
head.
tried to open the window, but l
was not strong enough. and fell back
in my chair. breathing the sitting air,
which every moment became more OPP
pressive.
thought could not endure it, yet
one way without danger of discovery;
. step into the hall, and those spiral
stairs would take me to the housetop-
to the observatory.
Waiting until I was sure the way
was clear, stepped softly into the
hall, and ascending the stairs. though
with much difficulty, l was soon en-
joying the forbidden pleasure of
breathing the air, untainted with the
fumes Of the nauseous drugs that had
been dealt out to me with an unspar-
ing hand all through the long, cold
winter.
How exhilarating. | wondered that
had been housed SO long. ! looked
down upon the group Of young ladies
who were sporting on the lawn.
Jenny Magrair was there, the daugh-
ter of my host, the only woman l had
ever loved. But was nothing to her.
She knew not how l worshiped her.
and should keep my secret we'll, for
she was the betrothed of Gerald Mac
burn.
How envied him, and perhaps hated
him little, for knew that he had not
won her love. She had pledged her
hand to save her old father from pow
.erty.
.Tke had consented to the sacrifice,
and Macburn was satisfied.
Turning away, l tried to Danish the
painful, hopeless thoughts that had
been awakened.
Adjusting the telescope. took a surA
vey of the farming and wood land that
stretched far away to the east for many
miles
caught sight of two men whom
recognized as Gerald Macburn and
John Layton.
They were evidently in search of
game. The glass was small, yet very
superior instrument, and could see
them very plainly. Notwithstanding the
distance.
l presume should have thought no
more about them. had l not known
that, but . few months before, they
were bitter enemies. / wondered how
the reconciliation had been effected.
While puzzling my brains with these
thoughts, had unconsciously moved
the glass to keep them within range.
i saw them stop, and I knew by their
motions that they were angry.
l became interested l could see
them SO distinctly that found myself
listening to catch their words.
could see their lips move, and saw
John Layton's clenched hands. He was
evidently much excited. but he did not
offer to strike; and il one can Judge by
sight alone, he was inclined to avoid
any alteration, while Macburn ap
peared to seek a quarrel.
For full five minutes they stood there
gesticulating vehemently. They were
some distance apart, Layton all the
while endeavoring to widen the space
and Macburn following him up.
At last Layton, goaded beyond al
endurance. wheeled about and shool
his list menacingly at his tormentor
Macburn was SO exasperated at thi!
that he raised his rifle and shot him.
saw the poor man fall out of sight il
reload his rifle and walk toward tn,
spot where his victim was lying.
Then staggered and fell to tn,
floor. and all was blank.
When l awoke to consciousness
was in bed. Clothes were all about m,
head, and in the dim lamplight | saw
watcher sitting by my bedside. 1t wa
my old chum, Harry Wilmot.
''How is this?" said l, when l realize,
the situation.
..Thank God, you are coming aroun,
again, Sdiu marry, Dut IL mas DeeH
hard case, Fred; you have been q
crazy as loon for . whole week.
odvise you not to try the observator,
again till you are strong enough t
crawl back
At these words. what l had seel
from the housetop flashed upon m
mind: but had my life depended upo
it could not then have told that it wa
not all a dream. To convince myself
inquired for John Layton.
HE is-no one knows WHERE" ri
piled Harry; "but you are too weak I
either talk or listen
mo, I'm not, Harry; tell me abou
it,
He yet hesitated, but / urged hin
and he yielded.
John Layton disappeared q wee
ago." he said. "Absconded is the be
ter word. for he took with him qui,
an amount Of money belonging to h
father. The old gentleman is yer
wroth, and has used every means
find him. but has not succeeded Fal