The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-04-04

or French, told his story. Mrs. Hearne
had seen him in prison while visiting the
penitentiary few years before and had
recognized him on his coming to treat
her. But she had, on condition that he
would aid her in running the girl she
hated, promised 10 keep his secret. They
had arranged the whole plot as has been
seen, only Mrs. Hearne had not known
now near Homer had been to sparing
their victim because of his love for her,
and had Courtney not scorned his ad
yances be would have failed, in spite Of
Mrs. Hearne's power over him, 10 carry
out his part ofthe plot Mrs. Hearne had
given him a second key 10 the door, and
his presence there when Courtney was 10
fetch the milk was to cause the girl 10
try and clear herself by tellingof it when
It would be seen that the door was locked
and her innocence suffer still more be-
cause OF the lie she was supposed to tell.
'Now," said Arthur Hearne, you must
sign this statement Of yours which
have written down"
What, and 90 back to the pen for
conspiracy laughed French. Not
much ?"
Then you viii go back for munier,"
declared Arthur, "for shall most GER
tainly inform against you"
"You will, you will, my friend ?' cried
French, springing at Hearns so suddenly
as TO throw the latter Of his guard, and
the convict held his enemy to the floor,
while he fourished keea-bladed knife
above him.
Arthur looked up at him quietly. "Do
you think, French, that Was fool enough
to trust myself here at this hour of the
night with desperate man without
taking precautions. 1 lefl sealed note
with my friend, the Presbyterian minis
ter, saying that should inos return by
II o'clock, he is to opea the note, which
contains directions TO the Sheriff of the
county 10 come and take you"
French rose and allowed Arthur to do
so.
81 know when 1 am beaten" he said,
Il will sign the statement. Now, tell me
how you caught on to the trick"
Arthur laughed. by the presence Of
the cat in Mrs. Hearne's room. She has
always declared that she hated these an
imals, and woull never allow one Of
them about her, and that cat vas too op-
portunely in her room tonight" Then
he added to himself, Il could not love
woman could not trust, aud in spite of
the many things that have looked black
against my darling for SO many months
/ have known she was as pure and good
as any woman in the land, though she
has fallen into i'll hands and bad adyis-
ors"
With the statement French had signed
bis hand, Arthur walked back to his
brothers and rang the bell several times
before an answer came.
"Oh, Mr.. Arthur" said the man
servant who let him in. BEG pardon.
sir, but we're all 50 upset"
But Arthur, in his haste to reach the
woman in whose face he meant 10 thrust
the confession Of her sccOmplice, with
small ceremony strobe on up the stairs TO
her door. In answer to his knock only
Susan came, and as she opened the door
Arthur caught sight of rigid figure on
the bed, covered from head to foot with
q sheet.
"Yes, sir" said the maid. ~my mistress
died few minutes after you left the
house" The wretched woman had
brought her punishment down upon her
self with her own hand, for the excite
ment ofthe scene she bad planned had
killed her.