Sharp County record., 1896-10-16
CHAPTER X.
"ANGUS! ANGUS"


with the statements made TO the sher-
if on the night before by Herbert
Luthrop, it is useless to repeat it.
Fannies testimony corroborated that
of Herbert's in so far as his calling
her after she had retired and notifying
her that Angus Bruce was awaiting her
with II letter from Miss Hill, and join
ing her on the stairs when she de-
scended. And she stated:
"When we entered the library my
eyes fell on the form of Angus Bruce
turning from my fathers bedside with
that bloody knife clutched in his hand
and a look of horror on his face. l faint
ed, nor did subsequently see Angus
Bruce again"
"You say, Miss Loyd," said the coro-
ner, "that on his features was look
of horror? Did you, or do you think,
that the expression indicated one who
who was gloating over deed of blood?
You remember your cousin said the
look was fendish, which would imply
as much?"
81 thought the look one of amaze
ment and horror; the knife he held
at arms length and there was blood
upon his hand and clothing; yes, even
on the bosom of his shirt-it was the
blood of my dear father. / saw it all
and then-and then tainted"
Here Fannie burst into flood of
tears.
"Miss Loyd,' said the coroner, "did
Angus Bruce leave behind a letter from
Miss Hip"
"Not to my knowledge; when 7 re-
viyed l was lying on sofa and there
were bloody finger marks upon my
dress. Aunt Mag said that before fly
ing from the house Angus raised me
to the sofa"
Perhaps" said the sheriff, she had
no letter from Miss Hill, and merely
made the assertion as pretext to get
into the house."
THAT question Miss Hill could doubt
less settle,' said Herbert; "but one
thing to my mind is clear-his eXpecta.
tions were to have the deed over and
no traces on his person, and to have
entered the library and closed the bed
room door before my cousin descended
the stairs. OF course he did not expect
to see me again, and when we both
confronted him so suddenly, with all
the evidences of his guilt before us,
the reeliing knife in his hand, he was
struck dumb. lie knew that he must
fly for his life and thus lose all that
he had hoped to gain, as the result of
his crime; If indeed he hoped for gain
at all. He doubtless thought the mur-
der would not be discovered till morn
ing, and that it would be believed the
work of burglars who had entered the
house after he had left"
Everything would indicate as
much," said the coroner.
The jury speedily found verdict
that John Lloyd had been murdered by
Angus Bruce, and officers were dis
patched in all directions for his appre.
hension. Two were instructed to pro-
coed to Smithville on the Sunshine,
which departed at once, bearing let
ter from Herbert to Abner Hill, inform
ing him Of his uncle's murder, and re-
questing the presence of himself and
family at once.
Many people were on the wharf
when the Sunshine departed on her
downward trip.
SHOULD you encounter the Clara
Belle on your trip down, board her and
make thorough search, said the sher-
iff to his officers.
81 had expected the Clara Belle up,
on last nights tide" said gentleman
standing on the dock. 81 had char
tered Angus for trip to Charleston;
he should have taken In his cargo to-
day"
"The schooner may have been here,
Mr.. Murchison."
"If 1t was,' said Murchison, "and
Angus fled on her, and at 12 o'clock,
you will not encounter the Clara Belle.
Why, the tide began to ebb at IL
last night, there was good stiff
breeze down the river, and the Clara
Belle, without cargo, would skim tho
water like thing Of life, and by five
o'clock this morning would have
passed out the inlet"
There was young man standing ON
the deck Of the Sunshine in the uni
form Of " lieutenant Of the regular
army. Few recognized in him youth
they had seen many times In his boy
hood days, on the streets Of Whining
ton, with Abner Hill, and yet this
youth was the squire's youngest son,
Tom, who now for the first time in
eight years, with two or three excep.
tions, when he had been home ON short
vacations, was returning to 0rton.
For four years he had been ut school at
Hillsboro, N. G., and for the last four
at West Point military academy. Ho
had now graduated, received his first
commission, and was on his wuy homo
TO attend the weddings Of his brother
and sister, nnd await orders,
"Excuse me-" said the sheriff, address
Ing the young lieutenant. "But are
you not Squire Illl'syoungest SOUP"
Il am 10, sheriff; thought some one