Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-07-14
CHAPTER WxYI

Atlast the secret of John Oakburn's
fate was revealed. The unfortunate
man had not been murdered, but he had
committed suicide.
In proof of the truth of what 1 have
told, I'll show you the paper Oakburn
wrote just before he shot himself. Will
one of you gentlemen loan me a knife.
1 sewed the document up in the lining
of my coat, so that 1 could not possibly
lose it, said Kredge.
Paxton gave him a pocket-knife, and,
ripping the lining of his coat, he drew
forth a written paper and handed it to
the detective, who read it.
The contents of the paper read as fol-
lows:
To my beloved daughter Marion and nv
respected employer, Jason Garrison;
To save my only son from cruel fate, I
paid the money drew from the bank to-
day, SIS 900. to Pratt & Weeks. intending
TO replace it with the money which 1 have
saved. and which had locked up in my
private safe. After thus appropriating the
money that did not belong TO me. 1 found
my safe had been robbed, aud all my money
taken. I cannot live TO face my disgrace.
Let no man be accused OF my murder. To
the care OF the good Lord commend my
daughter. whom love. and IL is my prayer
that she may believe that am unfortunate.
not dishonored.
(Signed) JOHN OAKBURS.
That this letter had been written by
John Oakburn there could be no doubt
I was, indeed. on a false trail, but
the fact that the shot which killed Oak
burn was clearly fired from a distance
caused every one TO exclude the posi-
bility Of suicide from the case" said
Paxton.
The detective began to think the mys-
terry of Marion's conduct was clear
ing up.
ITO shield her fathers memory from
dishonor and disgrace, the noble girl,
who must have first discovered her
father when Stuart Harland saw her
stealthily leaving the office, 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 a true heart.
She was, indeed. inspired by a noble
purpose, said Paxton.
You have stated the truth, firmly
believe. said Stanmore.
Yes, you have hit il at last Marion
Oakburn is as innocent as you are. As
you say, she wanted to save her father s
memory from dishonOr, said Kredge
But what about the money you stole?
You haven't told US where TO find that, 4"
said the detective.
I've spent about three thousand dol
lars OF 1t, and the rest is hid. It's safe,
you Cdl Dcl On Lndl- ION ITGL ABOUT
it. I mean to make bargain with you, /"
answered the scOundrel, with a cunning
leer.
In what way?"
Promise me I'll be discharged and
I'll give up the money"
Wen see about that. said Paxton
Yes; Marion must be consulted, /"
said Stanmore.
I 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, I take it, he replied.
Perfectly replied Paxton, and ac-
eompanied by StanmOre he soon left the
prison.
After this, some days elapsed, and
then 70 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.
As soon as she was sufficiently recov-
/ cred 20 warrant it, StanmOre told Ma
rion OF the confession made by Pratt
and Weeks, and by Levi Kredge, the
ianltor.
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.