Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-31

doomed to failure, aud when he haC
almost given up hope he was re-
rewarded. The other was disguised
ana so perfectly that he would MOI
; nave recognized him but for a pecu
liar movement of one Of his hands
My friend, himself, was disguised
and shadowed his enemy until he
embarked for America. He fol.
lowed, and when the vessel reaches
Course you! Never! Pill"
" Make another move and you are
a dead-dog -
And there stood Henri LeClair.
with his hand behind him in the act
OF drawing n weapon, and Forbes
pressing pistol over his heart.
The first words were almost
shrieked, as tho man sprang up; the
last in tone Of deadly calmness.-
The face of the would-be murderer
was twitching violently with fear
and hate; that of his intended VIC
tin was like stone. SO sudden was
1T all, that we sat spellbound, until
Forbes said, quietly:
Gentlemen, will one of you please
disarm him, another remove the
false beard and mustache, and a
third go for the captain ?"
The blonde beard and mustache
were removed, disclosing, in spite of
the marks of dissipation, and the
fearful excitement the man was I'M
der, remarkably handsome face.
When the captain came, Forbes told
him all in a few words, and requested
M
the vessel reached port. The cap
tam consented, and turned to give
the order. AS he did so, and while
attention was for moment turned
elsewhere, like lightning the pris-
oner drew a dagger and sprang
upon Forbes. He alone was pre-
pared, and, catching the stroke
aimed at his heart on his left arm, he
dealt the other blow which knocked
him senseless to the floor.
"Better have him searched, Cap
tain," he said, in matter-of- fact
tone he may have some other wea-
pons on his person, and it is probable
he will turn them against himself if
he cannot use them upon anyone
else.
The search was made, but nothing
found. There are other weapons,
however as deadly as pistol and dag
ger; and the next morning when
they carried the prisoner his break
fast he was dead. On the slip of
paper which had contained the deadly
drug he had written:
"The dark and bitter curse of
dying man rest upon you, David
Forbes! Curse you! Curse you!"
Poor devil !" said Forbes as he
read. Your words are empty;
but your acts long ago robbed my
life OF its brightness"
Doctor" said, "will you please
tell us why you told that story at all,
instead Of waiting quietly until you
reached the shore, and then had the
man arrested with little danger to
anyone?"
81 told it," he replied, because
if l had not | would never have
reached the shore alive; that is, one
of us would not, and did not care
to be that one. Before coming on
board l threw off my disguise, and
of course he knew me at once. He
believed l had not recognized him,
however, until yesterday morning,
when something happened which
caused him to change his mind.
observed the change at once, and
was convinced that it was but ques.
ton of few hours that he would
not hesitate to stab me in the back
and throw me overheard if the op.
portunity presented. When l started
out my purpose was to kill him on
sight, but this / could not bring my
self to do; it was contrary to my ma
ture and religion. proposed to give
him into the hands of the law as
soon as we reached America, and see
that he was placed where he would
be powerless to break more hearts
and wreck more lives for some time
to come. My object has been at
tanned, but in very different way.
OF course | was prepared, else I
could not have forestalled him, as /
barely succeeded in doing. 1t is a
sad instance of wasting and abusing
some Of Gods best gifts. That man
was as brilliant as he was handsome,
and could have left the world better
for having lived in it instead Of
worse"
DIR. Forbes declined to accept the
cane, as did DR.. Arnold also but all
remember the story and its ending.