The Lamar register., 1892-05-14
the place. Philip paused, and took

-.
She said no more; she guessed tbe
rest. They must live, and. after ali
poaching was not the most unpardon-
able of crimes. She sighed deeplv
and then looked up at him, irving to
smile, but it was a very poor attemnt
That pale face, with the dark veins
round the eyes, smote him to the very
heart. 1t was great deal his. own
fault, but men will not acknowledpe
these things; so he rallied Mt luck, at
fate, at the world in general.
Goodbye, Maggie" he said, stoop-
ing down to kiss her; al sha'n't be
gone long. Cheer up, love, our luck
must change; we shall be rich and hap
py yeti"
Later on that night the gamekeep-
er, james Ashwood, was out upon his
rounds He was lonely man; but
on moonlight nights, when all things
We're very quiet, he was especially sad.
lie thought most then OF his life as it
was and what it might have been.
Suddenly he heard the report OF a
gun. 1t seemed almost as though the
shot had whirred by him. At first he
thought 1t must be poachers, but then
heb groan and an exclamation.
For some time he could not tell exact
ly whence 1t proceeded. He searched
IN all directions.
At last, breaking through some thick
bushes, he started back in horror, for
ne had found what il was. There was
the body of an old man in an Inver-
ness cloak lying quite still and dead,
the fresh dewy grass sullied by the
blood that had flowed from his breast.
Ashwood heard cracking sound
among the brambles He looked up
and saw man few yards of rum
ming away.
As he turned his head moment he
recognized Philip Hallworth. Great
heavens he saw it all now. A foul
murder had been committed, and the
assassin was Macgie's husband!
".
The first grey streaks of the cheer
less October morning were dawning in
the east rs Philip Hallworth crept
home into his cottage Maggie was
there, waiting up for him. She startl-
ed him. He hoped not to meet her
yet awhile; but she had not gone to
bed thinking some evil might have he
fallen him. Perhaps it was PRESENT.
ment
What is t he matter" she said,
rising, for he looked wild and haggard;
''are YOU ill.,"
ITS nothing. Hunger and exhaust
ion have brought IL on, but all that
will soon be over; we shall be rich and
happy. | have brought YOU some
money, and more will come
You have brought some money,
Philip! Where did You get it2"
The old man gave it to me for my
trouble"
And he huug down a sovereign on
the table: but there was no Joy in his
tone, and he turned away from her
as be spoke. She looked at him curl
ously What could be the matter
with him?
There was loud knock at the door,
and he jumped as though he had been
shot. He stood there trembling. and
il was Maggie who went to open 1t.
Michael Marsden. the village bailiff,
stood without.
What, both on We up already" he
said. Have ye card the news?
",There's bin a old gent in Inverness
found murdered and robbed in the
wood "
THE man who came here for shelf
err cried Maggie.
"Sir Charles ave bin ON the spot,
an the police, an all the rest o. it,
but thought as ye'd like to ave the
first news, 'Allworth, as ye're interest
cd in the matter"
Interested" the other exclaimed,
visibly turning pale. Was he suspect
cd already ''Whau do you mean,
Michael1 what do you meang"
"Ye remember that chap whose life
ye saved some time agoney'
Yes"
"well, it seems he was lord some
thing or other. This old gent who 5
bin killed is a lawyer, and, by some
papers found on i'm, It seems e 'ad
E1 900 in gold and notes to be de
livered to you for saving his lordship's
Sir. He'd got instructions to go to
ilfe Charles Hazelton first and enquire
about You Well, 'e's bin robbed o.
the ole bloomin lot!'
Philip staggered and sank upon a
chair. his head buried in his hands.
All that money that he had perjured
his soul to gain, his own-all hisl oh,
if he had only waited n day He
thought he must 20 mad; and to add
TO the horror OF his situation, they
faucied he was lamenting the loss OF
the money, and both his wife and
Marsden tried to console himl
"Do not despair" she said, "the
people who have committed this crime
may be discovered before long, the
money traced and given TO you
yes" he replied, bitterly, there is
that chance. They say that murder
will out"
"They think they're on the right
track OF the murderer already" the
bailiff said. Hallworth looked up, but
daring to face either OF them.
Suspicion is so strong that Sir Charles
has been induced to make out a war
rant"
against whom?" Maggie asked.
"James Ashwood."
flames Ashwoofp' Philip cried,
starting up. "I'll pledge my life he's
innocent. What evidence is there
against him?'
'GHis gun was found close to the
spot"
'eYes, but, Philip Maggie interpos-
ed that gum
Her husband, who now stood be
hind Marsden, made her an implorins