The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-07-12
A GREAT SCHEME.
BY LEON MEAD.


the Redwood Canyon IN the darkness.
All these things were placed in ware
house which Montressor rented. He sold
them at good bargains through agents,
and thus obtained ready money 70 pay his
help literally. II was rumored finally
that be had purchased nearly all the
properly in Observation Point, and Ale
gan people, who were unaware that "tht
Point y for months had been completely
deserted, credited the story.
Montressort circulated reports that the
Z cholera was still raging violently up
there, and this deferred the people who
had fed from going back to claim their
property. Half dozen OF more men did
attempt to return to Observation Point,
but when within about three miles OF the
place they were halted by two men in
military uniform, who came out Of q tent
ON which the word Quarantine was
painted in big black letters, and were told
they could not go any farther. Accepting
these appearances in good faith, the men
retraced their way to AlIegan.
OF course the quarantine was dodge OF
Montressor's to keep away from Observa-
tion Point all OF tt former living citizens,
even those who held there extensive i'm
terests.
Busy as he was, Montressor was FREE
quent caller upon Alice Crofton. He told
her he was building such palace a. only
his extraordinary income could make
possible, palace in which they would
live in conjugaI felicity. In her innocence
and faith she was delighted.
Four months elapsed. Observation
Point was rified Of everything Of value.
4 H. A -. - a
the five marble cutters were still confined
was the only one that had not been robbed
of doors, windows, and like material.
The "truck " Already Joe" had mem
TONED was no longer there. The marble
edifice builded Of tombstones lacked COM
pletion only in furnishing.
In order that Alice might offer her sug-
gestions as to the interior decorations,
sion one day. They entered the building
through q side wing, and travelling
through different suites Of rooms up stairs
and down, came into the main hall. Alice
had been dazzled by the magnificent pro-
portions OF the establishment, and was
musing over 1t, like one in dream, when
she happened TO glance at the newell post
supporting the marble baluster. Her eye
sweeping down the graceful column, was
arrested BY these lines
Meath the ground in bier,
A gentleman true
Sleeps silently thro'
The long, weary year
On the following day she was to have
been married. All at once Montressor
had insisted upon Fastening the event.
But now she was asking herself why her
uncie's monument-yes, II was hist Her
face grew wan, colorless and rigid with
horror; she was fainting.
Montressor caught her in his arms a.
she swooned backward, and, with angry
curses carried her out into the open air.
He, too, had observed the tell-tale cpl
taph.
Uncle Dams monument had needed
little remoulding by the trimmers, 90
Montfessor's overseef had said. II had
been placed ON the truck and in the gloom
the inscription had not been noticed.
Those who were employed in the erection
! OF the house were not aware whence 1t
came, and II they had seen the epitaph at
all they had attributed II to some odd
within of Montressor
Before Alice revived Montressor per-
ceived three figures coming rapidly
toward him. They were the sheriff, his
deputy, and +" Already Joe.n Then the
latter had escaped7 Yes, and 1t was too
late for Montressor to attempt the same
thing.
He gave himself up with a logged in
difference, SO characteristic to the hard
ened criminal. They took him to Jail,
where he would await trial
Two days before Already Joe" had
twisted out of his shackles, while his
keepers were asleep, and set the marble
cutters Tree They never appeared in Al
logan again, nor did the keepers-probably
fearing the punishment Of the law.
Montressor is serving o fifteen years.
sentence in the penitentiary, and his ia
nous marble palace has been converted
into an academy for both sexes. Alice
! Crofton is its respected principal, and
scouts matrimony.-National Tribune.