The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-08
MY FIRST"SCOOP."
A Half True Story.
BY ROB G. HIDEN.
fConcluded.)
CHAPTER VI.
A Dear Price.

~
In the bank had about s2o'oo invest
"A and some $4,000 In mining stocks. "A
,he end of q week had made the mrs
nsyment. Mr.. Harrirgburn's deposit wal
largely used. felt sure could replace
the amount by selling some OF my
mining stock. The second payment was
made. and / was in fair way 10 complete
my plans, when my stock fell from lSS
10 70. This became known to our depos-
,tors. who were aware that large por-
lion OF our capital was invested In MIN
ing stocks. A run on the bank followed.
My stock fell to n. Finally II dropped "
IL. and knew then L was ruined. =,
A meeting OF the directors was caiied
FOR the following Friday week. An IN
spectioa OF the banks affairs wouiu
DISCLOSE my plot. ! was almost penniless,
with $4,000 owing 10 the bank. An inves-
tieation. | knew would make out "a clear
Ease OF embezzlement against me.
must escape.
BY threatening Trowbrdge finally pre-
vailed upon him 10 arrange for my hight
II was decided that i should leave the
impression at the bank that / had gone
40 Norfolk TO make an investment
Through Trowbridge. telegram signed
nv me was sent from that point TO my
partner saying that | would return in
day or two. / was to meet the plotting
demon on the river bank. some distance
above Hollywood, at 2:S0 o'clock in the
morning.
The entire plan was carried out. and
when | arrived at the place designated,
my disguise was complete. No one would
have recognized In the humble peddler
a ruined banker
Trowbridge reached the place few
minutes after me. lie was In boat. his
disguise was perfect. We dragged the boat
ashore and lifted out a coffin. The lid
was removed displaying a corpse of sew
eral DAYS standing. The coffin, together
with the clothes therein. were sunk by
means OF a heavy weight. The dead body
we dressed I'm my own clothes. including
my watch, diamond shirt-stud and scarf
Din. which / had brought in a satchel.
In my inside coat pocket was put letter
addressed to my wife asking her forgive
ness. This was written in my own hand
writing. Several business letters address
ed TO me were also left in the coat pock-
Ct
The body was placed in clump OF
bushes. where il would hardly be dis
covered for several days. BY that time
q would be beyond recognition. The
clothes. watch. letters. etc, would in
all likelihood, we argued be undeniable
evidence Of my suicide
CHAPTER VII
Pure ~. snow.
When all was ready / began to realize
how completely at the mercy of Trow-
bridge / had placed myself / knew he
was a keen. dark, plotter. but never sus-
pected that his motives were other than
lucrative. until he handed me a roll of
notes. with these words: "Only a 500.
You'll need IL up there in Canada with
the outcasts Take my advice and get
there as soon as possible. Goodbye"
lie was preparing to shove off the
boat 1 stopped him. you are the cause
of my ruin" said |. 'Why YOU should
glory in my misfortune. l cannot see"
Y Ths @ oa ss5 ns with soi psssGn
Then recall the time when you wilfully
deceived an innocent -"
For the first time the truth dawned
upon me. / was dumbfounded. My past
glared at me like a hideous nightmare.
Trowbridge stood with teeth set for
a moment, then he continued: "You won
her heart simply to revel in her caresses.
When your letter came announcing your
engagement TO another woman she was
suffering with a nervous attack. The
blow 10 her pride, the humiliation Of her
lofty spirit threw her into a raging fever
from which she died I'm a week.
You're ruined forever. l still have you
in my power. You're too cowardly TO
take your own life, and you can never
return TO this country. II you attempt it
shall find you out, and have you thrown
Into prison. Nothing can save you from
the fate I've marked out live but to
torture you. This whole scheme was
planned by me. Before you leave. how
ever, I'll add to your misery. But for
your pride you might have investigated
things. and learned that your wife is as
pure as snow. You have been hopelessly
1uped.' He drew nearer and Kissed in
my ear: SHE Is NOT ILLEGITIMATE
AND -"
'Ffend," ! shrieked seizng him by the
throat. AS we fell to the ground ne struck
at me with a dagger. innicting a wound
on the neck. | snatched an oar from the
boat, and aimed terrible blow, which
he avoided and started towards me. by
an almost superhuman effort | raised the
par for the second time. and dealt him a
heavy blow on the head, as he was in
the act of striking with his dagger. There
was a dull thud he sunk To the ground,
then all was still
AS | rushed from the place | faucied
] saw a figure crouch behind a rock. but
hurrying on, | finally sank down exhaust
I'd.
In two days | was i'm Toronto. where
] spent s. wretched existence for six
teen years. From the papers / read ac-
counts OF the bank failure. and also Of
my suicide. and the mysterious murder
Of Trowbridge.
CHAPTER VII.