The Globe-republican., 1892-07-11

(SiRned, JOHN OAKBuRx
That this letter had been written by
John Oakburn there could be no doubt.
Il was. indeed, on q false trail, but
the fact that the shot which killed Oak
burn was clearly fired from distance
caused every one to exclude the poeei-
bility of suicide from the case. said
Paxton.
The detective began to think the mys-
tery of Marion's conduct was clear.
ing up. oo ,,om
dishonor and disgrace. the noble girl.
who must have first discovered her
father when Stuart Hariand saw her
stealthily leaving the o61ce, removed.
the pistol with which he killed himself,
and destroyed every evidence that might
point to suicide, so that the impression
might be given that he had been muir
dered and robbed. She is true heart.
She was, indeed, inspired by q noble
purpose, said Paxton.
You have stated the truth, firmly
believe" said Stanmore.
Yes, you have hit it at last. Marion
Oakburn Is as innocent as you are. AS
YOU say, she wanted to save her fathers
memory from dishonor," said kredge.
But what about the money you stole!
You haven't told us where to find that,
said the detective.
i've spent about three thousand dol
lars of it, and the rest is hid. It's safe,
Won can bet on that. Don't fret about
it. mean to make bargain with you,
answered the scoundrel, with cunning
leer.
in what way?"
Promise me I'll be discharged and
I'll give up the money"
Well see about that. said Paxton.
YES; Marion must be consulted
said Stanmore.
Il reckon the girl will be glad to con-
sent to let up on me when she knows OF
the money!" said Kredge. Now you
understand my remarks which puzzled
you heretofore, take it, he replied.
Perfectly" replied Paxton, and ac-
companied by Stanmore he soon left the
prison.
After this, some days elapsed, and
then to Stanmore's inexpressible joy.
Marion's malady took a favorable turn.
The physician declared the crisis passed,
and he gave Stanmore the assurance
that Marion would recover.
cred to warrant it, Stanmore told Ma
rion of the confession made by Pratt
and Weeks, and by Levi Kredge, the
janitor. Il
we understand the mystery Of your
conduct now. You meant that your
fathers memory should be shielded.
When you knew that he appropriated
Garrison's money and committed sui
eide, you determined that the world
should believe he had been robbed and
murdered" he said.
yes, that is the explanation. But l
must tell you all. On the night OF my
fathers death, 1 became alarmed at
his absence, and without disturbing any
one, descended to the office, thinking
it possible he might be there. He some-
time worked in the Office in the evening.
When 1 entered the office, found my
father dead. On the floor beside him
was sheet Of paper upon which he had
written few lines. remember them
we'll. They were as follows:
Heaven bear witness that was in
intention innocent, but have appropri-
ated the seventy eight thousand dollars
belonging to my employer, which drew
from the bank to-day, to my own use.
1 have decided 1 shall die by my own
hand, but I cannot face the pistol. l
shall place it in the bracket by the door
and discharge it by means of string
attached to the trigger, while my back
is turned. Farewell, Marion, my daugh-
ter" said Marion.
"Ah, understand. While Kredge Sc
cured the first message written by your
father, when he had decided to commit
suicide, he did not find the message
which you have repeated, said Stan
more.
when 1 read my dead fathers mes
sage, resolved that he should not be
branded as q thief, that his memory
should be revered, that he should leave
behind him the reputation he dearly
priced, that OF on honest man.
Then remembered the pistol, Sc.
cured the tell-tale letter, and stole from
the Office. After concealing the weapon
In my trunk, went tod Judith's room, anC
then we descended together to the office
What ensued you know.
"The paper, upon which depended
| to prove my innocence when l knew
| was suspected as being concerned in
| my fathers death, was his last message
| I despaired, when 1 discovered 1 haC
| lost it.
When, during the process Of Stuar
| Harland's trial, became convinced tha
he would be found guilty, resolved t.
tell all, but Judith must have discovered
my intentions, think, for the night
made the resolution that on the follow
ing day I would come forward with m.
testimony and save Stuart Harland.
was abducted while unconscious from
some an@sthetic which had been ad
ministered when I slept, and when
awoke l found myself prisoner In tn
house Of the old woman called Mothe
kits. When, after Reid's escape. wa
dragged back to the prison-rOOm from
which he had liberated me. secrete'
my fathers last message, which wa
concealed in my bosom. IN hole In tn
wall of the fireplace. Next morning
after troubled sleep, | looked for tn
paper and it was gone.
Thus Marion explained, and, further
she confirmed Reid's statement that n
had deceived her as to his real charaG
ter.
Now that she knew him she despise
| Qo,oo Iociro <hat ho ShOul