The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-02-09

enOck. one W0ulu nOS marry Wotie Mr.
Bertrand lived; his death would make
her free, and besides would make bes
wealthy, two great points TO be gained.
which might have q strong influences on
weak minded man. I was sure also
from the taking Of the nugget, that
whoever he was he would be found to
have been miner or collector OF ores
or minerals. Full OF my new idea, ]
started out to investigate.
If had great faith IN Mrs. Bland's
honesty in tho matter, but 1 did not
think II prudent to go to her now for
information. for had not proved her
integrity as l had Franks, and she
might, IL an accomplice. give a warning
that would defeat my purpose. I went
to the few persons she was intimate with
aud made cautious inquiries about her
gentlemen friends. II Is almost needless
to say found one.
ale was a tall gaunt fellow, aud
swarthy, like those who have been much
exposed to tn, sunlight. He had been
miner in Australia. Mrs. Bland had
confded to female friend that the man
proposed. but she refused him, 'because
she could not leave Mr.. Bertrand l
now decided to go straight to Mrs.
Bland ard ask il this man knew Of the
contents OF the will. Tears came into
her eyes as she admitted that he did.
She had inclined to favor his proposal,
aud had agreed to marry him alter Mr..
Bertruud's death.
III found where the man had his lodg.
ing, aud taking an officer made all haste
there. His room was shabby enough,
but ah, there we're the minerals, as had
surmised. We arrested him rs the mur.
derer of Henry Bertrand, aud after some
search among his rather mixed belong.
ings found there the box with the velvet
lining.
"when that was brought forth, his
defiant manner fell away from him and
he begged for mercy like n child. lie
confessed all. even TO brushing against
Frank Bertrand on his way home, to slip
the nugget into his pocket. At the time
of the murder he caught sight OF the
gold lump, and was suddenly possessed
of fancy for it. Realizing later how
dangerous WAS its possession, he dis
posed of it to throw suspicion upon
Frank. All my theories were thus
curlously verified"
The lawyer paused, apparently at the
end OF his story. There was one present
who had the general appearance Of de-
tective, who had been carefully follow
ing his narrative. He asked:
Pardon two questions, sir. How
came the murderer in the house without
the housekeeper's knowledge, aud who
was it sent for the nephew"
81 was going to tell you that present.
ly,' said the narrator. "The fellow
explained that he had been determined
for some time to get Mr.. Bertrand out Of
the way, as that meant for him both
wife and a fortune. He had beer wait.
ing for an opportunity. Geing to the
house that day, he found the door
unfastcned aud slipped in aud concealed
himself. He heard the old man give
directions to have Frank called, aud
heard Mrs. Bland say she was going to
stop awhile-'yitii q friend. Fortune was
favoring his plans. Not only that but
the fear came that Bertrand was reenting
towards his nephew aud might spoil oil
his hopes unless speedily despatched.
Frank Bertrand would be brought to
the house just in time to be accused of
the deed. 1t was the propitious time.
1.-The olow fell, the old man passed to
his reward, aud he fled. To his annoy
ance the door locked with a spring
behiud him, aud Frank, whom he was
watching as he came, could not get in.
Then came the thought to fasten the
crime on him more severely by putting
the nugget in his pocket.
at has been truly said that men COM
mitting great crimes always do some act
or leave some act undone, despite all
their prcc buttons, that tells the tale of
their wrong doing. So this man, who
seemingly had all his plans perfect. in
his eagerness and excitement, forgot to
put on Franks person the box as well as
its contents, and now 1t rose up con-
elusive witness against him."
''NOw I've 90: question:" veaturel
another listener. "What did the old
lady do with the propertyl Did she
hunt up another husband, or, as some OF
them do, give it to an asyluml"
Neither. She was really Cood
aud was struck with horror at
the vilalny OF the man who wanted to
marry her Tor her prospective money. 1
think that every day, fo- she is now
living, she thanks the Lord that she es.
capped the fate OF marrying him. She
turned the whole property over to Frank,
saying she had no doubt his uucIe would
nave relentei toward him il he hal
lived. She lives with him, making
home for him like mother, aud they
think great deal OF each o:her. The
piece OF gold aud the velvet box which
played so important part in the tragedy
)f their lives, still rest in their old place
Ia the library. y."-Yankee Blade.
The Giant OF All Timep.eces.