The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1897-04-02
CHAPTER XVII.
could lie, COULD MURDERED MAN
DO THAT?

lie, GUILD A M-AN,
DO THAT?
1t was fully two hours later than
usual when Herbert Lathrop descended
the stairs the next morning, after hav<
ing informed Mag of his coming mar
rage with Miss Hill, nor did he appear
much refreshed.
Slumber had not closed his eyes until
the night was well spent, and then his
sleep was of that nature that it rather
exhausted than refreshed, for 1t was
troubled with fitful dreams in which
his murdered uncle, Angus Bruce, Clara,
his intended, and Aunt Mag, all played
| their parts.
He had been at the Old home in VIII
mington-he was down at the bank, al
! tcring his uncle's will.
| what, but $1,000 to your nephew?
Make it so. uncle, make it 5O-another
cipher will do it--now change that
! five to 5O-tnere, it's done.
Hold, let me look. to the windows
and doors, no one must witness this
The witnesses names are attached 10
The deed already-who are theS?
Strange and Bligh! Why! they were
| both lost at sea-what! no admirlStra-
tor named? the space left vacant, and
no bond required? Herbert La5hrop,
! YOU were born in iuck-there, now. the
names filled in, put the papers back
Just as [ found them, now lock the safe
that much is accomplished.
Now TO slip out and close the bank.
| But why slip out? l work here often
nights, what made me say that?
Now the bank door is closed. When
next it opens there VIII be black Grape
fastened there.
"Ah, Angus Bruce, you will escape
suspicion: the murder must appear the
work of burglars Why, here's Il bar
open: a horn of brandy will stiffen my
nerves.
what! Angus Bruce just on the cor
ner. Fortune fayors me-a letter from
my cousin wish to see my uncle. Ger
tainly, captain: follow me.
Now we are in the library. No
trouble, captain, if yon don't see him
tonight YOU may not see him before
he leaves on his wedding trip.
Uncle John. Uncle Join.
NV nay Is II. nephew
Capt Bruce is here aHd wishes to
see you particularly.
Il have retired. nephew, but tell
Angus to enter my room.
Now, upstairs! Upstairs!
Fannie! Fannie!
: ''Yes, cousin.
angus Bruce is below with a letter
TO YOU from Clara.
=, Tell Angus / will be down at once.
Now open the tI'unk-the sheath
Knife! | have it in my hand-ah, but
the blade is Keen and long-kick OF
t these shoes and put my slippers on;
now off with my cCat, roll up thai
}, sleeve. the blood might stain tiny
S uncle's blood,--it's too late to hesitate
now. the will is changed. y drink o
brandy and one look in the glass-why
how pale | am--now softly, softly
down the stairs--thc bathroom dool
is open. I am inside; there stand:
q Bruce before my uncle, who is Sitting
; on The bedside.
i ''If she tells me, Angus, that she we'd:
me but to satisfy her fathers demand
IwiIlreturn to Wilmington a single man
S SO go. then Clara does not love you
Uncle John. but Angus. Angus. and sh'
Ii shall not we'd him, but your nephew
$ Herbert Lathrop-can | get behin'
Bruce without his seeing me? Yes
YES. softly but quick. here ] nov
Il under Bruce's arm-clutch the handl
% tig},t-driye hard-home. home to tn
hilt: now fly,
THAT cry! that cry!
&c II have YOU. Mag! l have you"
n Herbert sprang from the bed, the CT.
q still on his lips; the big heads of per
SEPARATION pouring from his body-shai
e ing and quivering in every limb.
y MY Cod My God! how horrible
e. Why, it's but dream this bottle wi
&c liven nue. up bit; that came of Mag
is talk last night Perhaps Twill slice
= now"
L He closed his eyes, but uninterrupted
|! ly the dream kept on.
|! Mag. you're Ii niger; you can't ties
1T tify-a word and I'll kill you. Silence
n and I'm your friend-I'll buy your chi
pc .dren. 1t was Bruce, Mag; remelnbe
10 it was Bruce. Now I'm back i'll III
ut room. All! drink. quick! quick
ot That was Fannie's door; I'll join he
le on the stairs, and we VIII view the seen
r. together. What's that? Murder. mu
Id der.
is I'VE enter the door: there's Brut
ty turning from the bedside, with til
%, bloody knife in his hand. 1t couidn
c- be better-what look of horror on h
face. I'll call it fiendish look; there
OF Uncle John leaning back on the be,
nd and blood, blood! everywhere. Loo
or again; Fannie screams and faints-
nd Angus Bruce, youhave murdered N
uncle!
he Liar! This is your scheme. 1t
so you that murdered him.