Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-09-30
CHAPTER XIV.


I'm MY CASE, THE SEA GAVE UP ITS
DEAD"
At ten o'clock on the morning of the
10th Hugh Gordon and Tom boarded
the steamer for Wilmington, where
they arrived at noon.
Tom had stated at home chat he
was going up the river on the steamer.
but would be back before the time set
for the marriage ceremony
His father and mother supposed that
his errand to town was to procure some
present for one or both of the brides.
Arrived in Wilmington, the two
gentlemen proceeded to the Carolina
hotel to dinner, and at two o'clock stood
on the piazza of a brick residence on
Chestnut street.
sHugh Gordon thlimped on the old
fashioned llnocker, and colored girl
opened the door.
How is the colonel to-day?" asked
Gordon.
"De doctor say he much improved;
he in de office; come dis away"
They followed the girl into the office.
a smooth-faced gentleman, whose
silvery hair bespoke the fact that he
had passed the meridian of life, was
seated in large rocker before table
on (which were arranged before him
numerous papers and law books, while
from the array along the wall it was
evident to Tom that they were in the
office of an attorney at law.
Good day, gentlemen; Will you be
seated? Hester, will you place chairs
for the gentlemen near the table,"
Colonel" said Gordon, 81 trust I find
you much improved
Very much, Mr.. Gordon, thank YOU"
'Allow me, colonel, to introduce my
friend Lieut.. Thomas Hill
Indeed, young man, L am glad 20
meet you. L have had the pleasure of
lifelong acquaintance with your IA
Their, but l suppose that he now thinks 1
am at the bottom of the sea-
Il remember seeing you often, at orr
home, when a boy, and can assure yen,
my father greatly regretted to hear Of
your loss at sea; if remember it was at
the time the Media went down.
THE same, Tom. You will excuse me
for calling an old friends children hy
their given names"
Il should wish to be called no other,
colonel
well. Gordon, how did your snare
operate? 1 suppose Tom is conversant
with the matter, or he would not be here
in your company"
He Is fullyttso, colonel. and together
we listened to admissions by Lathrop of
his guilt"
Here Gordon related all that had
transpircd, the night before, in The
libraryat Kendall.
He dis evidently filed with remo-se
at this time,'' said Col. Strange, for he it
was.
$50 much so, that doubt even if the
justice CT the law is nete:l out to him."
"You fear suicide. then?''
81 should not be surprised at any time
to hea~ that he had taken his life. 1
feel almost certain that he will attempt
it, when he is confronted with Tie
charge CT numbering his uncle
~Far better should he die by his own
hand" said the attorney. 'AIy poor
friend, Lloyd. distrusted Herbert, but
little did he think that the youth he
educated and raised would prove his
ASSASSIN
Colonel, will you please state to iIr.
Hill, the circumstances in regard to the
will of the banker
THAT is soon done: On the Goth day
of October, 1929. at just about this hour.
John Lloyd sat where you now sit, and
at his dictation I drew up his will. He
desired to have me act as his administra-
tor, in case of his death. / had all ar
engagements made for trip to Europe,
and stated that sometimes people were
lost at sea, and suggested that he Sc
lect some one else, OF leave a vacancy,
until 1 returned.
HE replied: Leave the name va
cant. Jim; you know more as to my
Gffairs than does anyone else, and l
guess I won't peg out before you re-
turn
"'No, John, l trust not I said, 'or
for many years to come, but should you.
the name being absent would not in
validate the will. and the court would
See that your daughter was properly
protected. In the will was clause leay-
ing Herbert Lathrop $4,000, and Mr..
Lloyd seemed to think that he was treat
ing him very literally. He said as
much. and added: If at his age he
cannot succeed in life, with the educa-
ton I have given him and $1,000, he
probably woule not with more.
"'Of course, should 1 live for years
and see proper to make his bequest
larger, can do so, but that is enough
money to place in the hands of young
man of his age
Andrew Bligh, passing as had con-
Guided writing the will, / called him in.
and he and myself signed it as witnesses;
but paor Riigh went down with the III