Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1896-09-03
was not added to the unspeakable sor-

was not added to the unspeakable sor-
row Of the widow.
But, as the doctor was firm in his
purpose Of having a post mortem ex-
animation and coroner's inquest, of
course both had to be held. Nothing
decisive. however, was elected. No
trace OF poison was. found either in
the body of the deceased or in the
glasses from which he had drank or
anywhere else.
The single suspicious circumstance
OF Lady Leaton's seeing the shadow of
female on the wall and hearing the
rustic OF silk dress In her husbands
chamber was disproved by a separate
examination of each member Of the
household, in which it was clearly
shown that every one was at that hour
IN ped. And Lady Leaton herself ad-
mltted that her Imagination might
nave deceived her. The verdict of the
coroner's inquest, therefore, was that
the deceased died from natural causes.
Lord Leaton had died too suddenly
to have made will, but his wishes
were so we'll understood by Lady Lea
ton that she lost no time in carving
them into effect. She wrote to Rome
10 Malcolm Montrcse, informing him
OF the sudden death of his uncle, and
requesting him to come Immediately
to England. She wrote. also, to Nor
nam Montrose, who was absent with
his regiment in Ireland, giving him the
same fatal intelligence, and inviting
him to join his brother at 'Allworth
Abbey by a certain day.
Malcolm, though the farthest from
the scene Of action, was the first to
OBEY the summons. T., fastened to
England, and, without resting a single
night on his journey, hurried to ALL
worth Abbey.
1t was near the close of q stormy
day in March that he got out of the
stage-coach at Abbeytown, and leay-
ing his luggage to the care of the
landlord Of the 'Leaton Arms" set out
to walk the short distance to the alb
bey. He reached the top of the east
e1n range of hills that surrounded the
abbey just as the sun, setting behind
the western hills, cast the whole dell
into deep shadow.
never mad the aspect of that Sombre
place seemed so gloomy and depress-
ing. The huge collection of buildings
comprising the abbey lurking at the
bottom of the deep dell, reflected
dlmly In its dark lake, overshadowed
by its gigantic old trees, enclosed by
its lofty hills, and cast into the deep-
est shade by the sinking sun behind
those hills, was we'll calculated to awe
the traveller, even though he might not
have, as Malcolm had, personal and
tragic interest in the scene.
a few moments he spent in contem-
plating the picture, and then rapidly
descended the precipitous path leading
down to the bottom Of the dell. At the
foot of the precipice was the game
keepers lodge and the principal park
gate. He passed this and took the
straightest line to the abbey.
He passed one more gate and en-
tered the grounds Immediately around
the house. A short walk brought him
to the outer banks of the shaded lake
An avenue of elms swept right and
left around this lake and led up to the
center front entrance to the abbey
He took the right-hand walk, and pro-
ceeding at rapid pace, soon found
himself before the main entrance.
Here the first object that arrested
his attention was the funeral hatch
ment suspended over the doorway.
sigh was given to the memory of his
uncle, and then he went up the broad
stairs and knocked at the great fold
ing oak door of the main entrance Il
was opened by the aged porter, who
welcomed him respectfully and ush
cred him at once into the library, while