Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-07-29
CHAPTER IX.-CoNr1NUED.

AS Herbert saw them he started back,
fearing that his work had not been
sure
He is dead,'' said DIR. Davis, zone
need but to look at his eyes to tell that;
the film of death is over them"
Herbert breathed easier.
e'This must be the WEAPON with which
the murder was committed said the
sheriff, as he raised from the carpet,
where Angus had dropped it, the sheath
knife.
''That is the weapon he held in his
hands when my cousin and entered the
library. and Isaw him turning from the
bedside" said Herbert. "Blood covered
the knife as it does now; also his hands
and clothing, and on his face was the
look Of fend. I shall never forget it
till my dying day"
THAT blade" said the doctor, passed
entirely through the heart. Your
uncle's death must have been instant.
He could scarcely have made an out
cry
Nor did he,' said Herbert, "or we
would have heard him."
81 never would have believed that
Angus Bruce would have been guilty of
d crime" said the sheriff. much less a
crime like that. Why, he kept his bank
account with your uncle, did he not?''
HE did, sheriff. It was not financial
matters that impelled him to do the
Heed"
"Was there motive?''
81 can think of but one.''
= And that?"'
Bruce loved the lady who on to-mor-
row night would have wed my uncle,
and jealousy, I judge. caused the crime,
He was desperate because he could not
win Miss Hill. AS he saved her from
drowning, 1 suppose he argued that
he was entitled to her hand, and
doubt not she would have preferred. to
drown to giving it to him."
Did you first see him tonight when
turning from the bed with the knife in
his hand? ?" aGaled the sheriff.
mo, sheriff, I was down at the bank.
until fully half-past ten, as I often am
at night when getting behind, posting
the books. When / was coming home.
and on the corner below, 1 encountered
Angus Bruce. He seemed greatly ex-
cited and agitated about something,
and said that he bore a letter from
Miss Hin to my cousin, and that he
had promised to deliver it tonight in
person. told him that, as she had
undoubtedly retired, I would take his
note and deliver it in the morning. He
said that would not do, as it was i'm
portant that Miss Fannie should have it
at once, and that he had pledged his
word to deliver it,"
Strange! Strange!" said the doc
tor.
HE then said that he must see Uncle
John and on business that would not
brook delay. knew that Uncle John
had retired, but also knew that I'M
mediately after his marriage he would
be absent on trip for several months.
So, deeming that he wished to see him
on business matters of Importance, 1
conducted him into the house. light
ed the lamps in the library, knocked at
my uncle's door, and told him that
Angus was here, and desired to see him
particularly.
81 have RETIRED he replied, but tell
Angus to enter my ROOM
'tI told Angus to do so, and that in
the meantime / wouldocall Fannie. He
entered this door, as l passed out into
the hall; assembled the stairs, knocked
Al my cousins door, and Informed her
that Angus was below, with a letter for
her from Miss Hill, and desired to de-
liver it to her in person; she replied!
that she would be down at once, and
1 went to my room, wondering at the
excited state of Bruce, and what could
be his urgency in wishing to see my
uncle.
II had taken off my coat and CATERS,
when I heard my cousins room door
open, and ! thought again of the ap-
pearance of Angus and hastily stepped
into my slippers and joined her OH
the stairs. L have told of the horrible
sight that met our view when we en-
tered the library--the deed had been
done cried .Murder!' and would have
tried to apprehend him, but for the
dripping knife that he held in his hand
He advanced upon me, and, being un
armed, 1 could but fly and give the
alarm. Fannie had tainted. and lay on
the foor-Aunt Mag probably heard
the commotion, as she is now with her. y
''And Bruce?'
"He ran after me to the very door
iheriff, and as passed out I closed il
almost in his face; it being dark in
the hall, he could not find the catch,
so could not follow me-"
Sand you know not if he has left the
house?"
How should I?''
tsIs the Clara Belle in port?'
az know not that, but should judge
iot He would hardly bring his schoon.
n, when coming ON such a venture