Sharp County record., 1896-10-02


she assembled, and he retired to his
room, which was on the first floor, and
adjoining the library, from which a
door opened into it.
Aunt Mag securely bolted the front
door, put out the lights in the parlor
and hall, and she also assembled the
stairs.
Noiselessly she passed over the soft
carpet to the back of the hall on the
second floor, and halted before door.
First her eye and then her ear was
applied to the keyhole-her eye saw
Herbert Lathrop standing before look
ing-glass in his shirt sleeves; he was
gesticulatihg wildly, and she heard him
say:
$50, uncle, I can neither wed my
cousin Fannie, nor Clara Hill-the one
for Clarence, and you would be the
bridegroom to the other. ,
Watch we'll, my uncle! you may die
ere that, and suddenly-so suddenly
have it, your death, and in such man.
ner that Angus Bruce shall appear the
murderer-the gallows then for him
two birds with one stone killed.
Truly, my uncle, there are two who
stand upon mine"
Aunt Mag assembled the stairs, and
repaired to her room, and as she is quite
an important character in some OF the
events that will follow, 1t may be wei
to give the reader some information re
garding her.
She had been brought to Wilmington
some dozen years before by trader
who stated that he purchased her o
an administration sale.
Her children had been sold and scat
tered, she knew not where, and her hus
band had been purchased by Georglt
planter. Mag had been house servant
oil her life, and was now fully fifty
years Of age. Tall, scrawny, and whal
was usually termed raw boned--never
theless, her long arms were very muscu
lar, and her large black eyes and je'
black hair that hung, when loose, ia,
down her back, proclaimed her Tusco
rora origin.
John Lloyd had purchased her, nor die
he ascertain till afterwards that hel
mind was somewhat unhinged, the re
suit, probably, Of having lost nil tina
she had ever loved. She had strangt
fabit Of talking to herself, and hat
some few articles OF clothing that hea
children had once worn. At times sh,
would get them out and talk to them, as
though her family were around her
sometimes weeping, ut Others chuck
ling or laughing merrily as she recallet
some incidents in her early life; bu
she was faithful, cleanly and obedi
ent servant and after the banker hat
become accustomed to her ways hC
would not part with her.
Indeed, he had sought the husband
and some trace Of the children with q
view Of purchasing them, but coult
learn nothing Of them.
Such was Aunt Mag; faithful nnt
true, but with o disordered brain
though, disordered MS it was, she wa.
not wanting in the necessary steadfast
ness Of purpose and determination req
uisite to enable her to watch the future
movements Of Herbert Lathrop.
Herbert had thoroughly reviewed the
matter In his mind and had come to the
conclusion that with the banker safely
out Of the way and the guilt fixed Oh
Angus In no uncertain manner he
would be ablc 70 make Clara Hill his
wife. Notwithstanding all he had heard
her say, II was still his opinion that II
WINS his uncle's wealth nlone that In
duced her to accept his proposals; but
how would the removal help him, In re-
spect to wealth. Fannie would.nherit
all
Perhaps II would be best to win Fan
ME or coerce her into marrying him;
but she was engaged to marry Clarence
and the squire and Clarence would bt
more thon he could overcome
lie must have their friendship. for he
would need them both,
How, then, could his unclc's wealth
become his? Remove Fannie also? no,