The sea coast echo., 1896-04-18
Col, Mashbnrn wna stnrinr nnt al .he

window. Through the heavy barred
opening the ruddy glow of the sun
set was streaming in.
The fin of the village street had sub
sided, and on the still evening air the
deep mellow tones of the bel were
calling the worshipers TO vesper serv-
ice. When Col. Mashburn heard the
rapping upon his grated dc or he start
ed, then slowly looked around. The
stranger beckoned him to the door.
For several minutes the two we're en-
I gagged in earnest conversation. Then
the stranger turned On his heel and
walked rapidly from the prison.
That evening just al dusk the old
toachmdn timidly stared from the door
OF the servants house in the rear of
Maj. McLain's home. The faithful
Gogs were barking Justify. Some one
called ut the gate, and the supersti.
'ious darky closed the door.
Peers things air pow'ful curious.
They sho is. Dis here'er holerin' at
night ain bad sign. I's ben feelin'
mighty queer and powerful skittish
since mnrster done dead" said the
coachman to the cook.
The stranger at the cute Dnsscd
through the arches and walked bris,;ly
through the front inclosure. Going nm
to the steps he raped loudly. The
echoes r'linbled through the deserted
hall and came back increased a tbcu-
sand fold.
NO one responded. and he pushed J,e
door open aud went in. The halls were
deserted and the place was forlorn.
Weeks had passed since the footsteps
of human being had trodden the
threshold, and now in the fast gather.
ing twilight the old home was gloomy
ana fortidding. The newcomer
passed through the halls and entered
the library where Maj. McLain had
been found in the cold embrace of
death. In the doorway was the chair
in which he was sitting when found.
gentle breeze that came through the
open window played with the lace ctr
tains and famed the tall grasses that
stood In the vases on the old-fashioped
mantel. The room was STRANGELY
weird, and the feelings of the uninvitcd
guest were difficult to be described.
Ihe newcomer Iummaged through
the papers and desk of Mai.sIcLain.
Everything that might throw some
light on the mysterious crime was ex-
amined, but nothing WINS found that
would give the slightest clew to the
identity of the murderer. For hours
the man continued the search, but his
mission appeared TO be fruitless. In
der the lin rays of the new moon lie
made a careful search of the premises,
and surveyed the surroundings, hcp-
ing that his quick eye would fall upon
something that would bring the truth.
Weary from his continued search.
the detective fell asleep on the lounge
in the library.
The next morning he awoke ot nine
o'clock. The morning sun was stream
ing through the open windows and Tho
room was Hooded with light. The de-
tective turned over and gazed Mt the
furniture and other objects in lbe
room. His thoughts We're busy, and
he was thinking of the scene that would
transpire in Abondale in just three
hours. The scaffold. grim and stern.
and the rembling body of the colonel
flashed through his mind. 1t was the
day of the execution and only n f,w
hours off.
While thJ detective thought. his yes
followed small DaIl of fire thai danced
and darted back and forth on The wall.
1T was tiny red ball, but It's brilIauoy
and heat were intense. He watched it
as 1T played seemingly for his amuee-
ment. JUST unde; the spot covered by
The little fiery ball he noticed cbarred
place on tho wall. What caused that?
He revolved the question ,,er and over
again In his mind.
Springing from his bed he rushed to
the wall aud held match under the
qul'ering piece of living fire that pla, cd
about like serpent's tongue. Quicnly
the match nared. The detective was
nervous ana his brain was IN fire.
On the wall were two stags' horns. at
equal distance. Evidently they had
served as support for gun. Going to
the door he called the Old roachman.
The negrJ went into the room with
his teeth chatterlng and his eyes were
dilated with euperstiticus fear.
Where is The gun that hing on these
horns?' asked the detective.
The coachman was gone for mo-
ment, and returned with an old army
rifle. The coachman said that he had
taken it doAn from the tack on the
morning that hiy master was killed.
as the gun was very highly p,1zed and
placed 1t in his room for sa fckeeping.
The gun was reloaded and placed IN
the horns. The little ball of fire, which
was but the concentrated rays of the
sun throw through blister IN a glass
of the window, danced about the pow
der pan of the old flint lock
The detective placed n pillow in ihe
char in witch Maj. McLain had been
found murdered. Then he waited.
With fash OF fire that half way
reached TO the pillow and report that
awakened the echoes of the old man.
sion, the guu was discharged. Through
the center of the pillow u ballet WIS
buried.
The detective looked at his watch.
1t was 12 o'clock.
The drop iell in Abondnle, len mics
away, Mt high noon. and Col MashbuIn
was pronounced dead III IL minutes.
The funeral procession wag inter-
rupte! by stranger dashing n,adly IN
a foaming orse. The sheriff looked
in astonishnent ut the reckless rider.
The old turnkey nt the jail wiped a
tear from mis- eye and went back 10
feed the r.aoners.-Atlanta Consti.u-