Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-12-09
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE DEAD RETURNED TO Ii

THE DEAD RETURNED TO LIFE.
Let us return to the moment at
which SiIaS Craig received from the
hands Of William Bowen, his accom-
pllce and tool, the document which he
had fully believed to be destroyed
1t is thus that the wicked are always
deserted and betrayed by their allies.
The old phrase, Honor among thieves"
is Il false and deluSlVe one.
Thus it Was with the INSCRIPTIONS
overseer, William Bowen; SO long as
his employer had paid him Tor his
silence he was content to suppress The
guilty secret of the money which Silas
had received from Philip Treyerton,
but on the first occasion OF the attOr-
ney'S refusing to supply him with
funds, he was ready to turn round and
betray him.
1t was with this view that he had con-
triyed to substitute a blank sheet of
paper, and to preserve the actual re-
ceipt written and signed by Silas Craig.
The wealthy attorney, the pretended
Christian, stood convicted cheat and
Il SWlndler.
Augustus Horton turned Indignantly
from his old ally.
Bear witness, Mr.. Leslie. and you,
MOlGlIllcE, he Sdlu, JlldU ulu uOL
know what this man was"
SllaS Craig CRASHED his teeth in ST.
lcnce; then crushing the paper in his
about him.
1t was the look Of a wild beast at bay;
the look OF Il fox that knows the chase
is over and the dogs are round BIN.
This receipt IS q forgery" he
screamed, in Shrill and broken voice.
Il deny its validity"
Take care. SilaS Craig" said the old
accomplish, 81 calculate lying won't
save you. You'd better speak the truth
for once in a way. [ reckon, and throw
yourself upon the mercy of these
gents"
Il deny it's validityl" repeated the at
torney; 1T al infamous forgery, fab
ricated by that man, William Bowen.
defy any living creature to prove that
Philip Treverton paid me one hundred
thousand dollars"
Beware, Silas Craig!" said voice
from the interior of the apartment.
You defy the living, do you also defy
the dead?"
A man emerged from the shadow of
the curtains about the window. That
man was the elder Of the two gold4lig-
gers; but he was no stranger to those
assembled there.
The dead!" gasped Silas dropping
once more into his chair.
Those present never forgot the eX-
preston of the attorneys face, as with
open mouth and protruding eye-balls,
he stared at the newcomer.
1t was but for moment thu
held the gaze or horror, Tor after one
brief glance he covered his face with
his outspread hands.
The dead!" he repeated; "the deadl"
Phillip Treverton!" exclaimed Ger
aid Leslie.
Yes, Gerald" answered the stran-
ger, extending his hand to Cora's faith
er; that Philip Treverton whom you
have been taught to think a gamester
and Il cheat. That Philip to whom,
when about to s;nl for England, you
ntrusted Il large sum of money, to be
paid by him to that wretch wonder.
\ ou departed, secure in the belief that
your friend and partner was man of
honor, and that the money was as safe
III his hands as in your own. On your
return you were told that your friend
was dead, and that the money had not
been paid. | have only learned to-day
from the lips OF Bowen there, your no
BILE and generous conduct. You uttered
liz hOlu VI COlupldlllo, no Sl lldDlo OI
reproach, but you bore up to the last
against the reverses brought upon YOU,
as you thought, by the diShonor of an
other"
DO not speak of that, Philip" said
Gerald Leslie; i attributed the loss of
the money to some fatal moment Of
lmprudence, and l never. even in
thought, accused you of dishonor."
"lmprudence would have been dis
honor i'll such a case" answered Philip
Treverton. "Ay, Silas Craig, well may
you hide your face from newell may
your eyes refuse to meet those of the
man you would have murdered"
"Murdered.' exclaimed Gerald and
Mortimer, While the women listened
with white and terrified faces 10 the
disclosures of the returned Wanderer.
IS. murdered. 1t is foul word to
speak beneath the broad blue sky, and
IN the sunlight of yonder heaven, but
it is the word for all that"
"SllaS Craig" cried Augustus Horton
have you no word TO answer to ali
this? Can you sit calmly there and
hear the accusations? Speak man,
speak, and give your accuser the lie."
He cannot" said Philip Treverton.
pointing TO the lawyer. rs that the
attitude of a man who is falsely ac-
cuSed! LOOK at him; look at him
crouching like beaten hound beneath
its master whip"
DO not speak of him." cried Gerald
Leslie, impetuously, but explain this
mystery. How is it that for twelve
month you have disappeared from New
Orleans. to return at this moment Of
ruin and despair"
Il will tell you," answered Philip
Treverton; ~and call upon this man,
William Bowen, here, to bear witness
of my truth. and on yonder wretch to
a year ago 1 was left by you with the
sum of one hundred thousand dollars