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

On the morning of September 5, when
the Sunshine passed down the river
from Kendall, seated in the. cabin, a
position she was allowed to occupy as
an old family servant, was Aunt Mag,
and it was noticed that she was better
dressed than very many of the female
passengers who were not of the African
race.
Arrived at Smitbyille, Mag proceeded
to the cottage of Widow Bruce. AS she
entered the gate Jennie Bruce saw her
from the open doorway.
What she exclaimed; Aunt Mag,
is this You?''
at just is, honey; it's ole Aunt Mag,
suah enough"
Come right in, Aunt Mag. But what
could have brought you to Smithville? ?"
Use come down, Miss Jennie, to suit
with you and the ole missus."
Margaret Bruce here entered the
room.
Mother, this is Aunt Mag, for many
years Mr.. Loyd's housekeeper."
''Weel, an VIVA do We be wantin'
here, Aunt Mag? I ken We did not come
here for naught. Mayhap We came to
tell Margot Bruce that her son murdet
your old mar ster?'
Shut the door, mistress, and shut
down the windows. Can anyone hear
NE but you two?"
why, nc, Aunt Mag; there's no one
else here. lobe is away somewhere.
Speak out, you dear old soul; I know
il is something important"
THAT it is, Miss Jennie, that it is"
loot with it, woman, DOT with it,
I'm that skeered, uaissis, that I can't
DOT with it. My very life is at stake"
wait. Mag; thou shalt have summit
to warm thee up a bit. Lass, bring
Aunt Mag a glass Of wine. Now can'st
thee speak?'
''Missis, what I speak you must keep
inside this house alone and say nothin',
for the time amt come yet. but-but
i came to tell you that Marse Angus
didn't kill my marster."
81 ken weel that, Mag, but thou ru-l
nest a heavy risk to tell it to Margot
Bruce. Did'st run ava from hame to
do SOP
No; Marse Herbert sent me here"
Herbert Lathrop send thee here!
He has confessed?''
No, no, and never will confess. He
sent me to spy and find out what you
thought of the murder, how much you
knew and what you thought of Black
Beard. 1 wanted to scome, and said
things shat caused him to send me-
ut was thou that screamed, Mag, at
the bathroom door? Did'st see the blow
struck?"
81 saw the sharp blade glide under the
arm of Angus and sink into my mar
ster's breast. 1t was Herbert Lathrop
who guided it. I screamed, and he
seized me by the throat and said: A
nigger's oath don't go in court, but if
you speak one word, Aunt Mag, I'll have
your life
Il know! l know. you could not save
my son. Angus heard the scream. but
the door was closed ere he could reach
thee; however, time will bring all to
light, Mag. and che name of Bruce be
cleared"
But, misses, what good will it do
Marse Angus or you? twant to bring
Herbert Lathrop to justice. but it can't
help Marse Angus, now that he's turned
pirate and heaps of money offered for
his head
lone thing at Il time. Mag. Never
thee mind about Black Beard and the
bloody pirate. and the money on the
head of me ain boy. The murderer first,
Mag, and then let Black Beard look after
his ain head
Does Fannie know that You came to
Smithville?'' asked Jennie.
Dress yer. no, honey; no one knows it
but Marse Herbert. He done sent her
over to spend the day with Miss Clara
when does the wedding take place.
Aunt Mage"
1.-The 10th of October. honey. at eight
o'clock at night. in the chapel at orion;
but dere's two weddin's at the time,
f,other couple is Marse Herbert and
Miss Clara Hill. and that one must not
take place.
Great heavens! Clara we'd Herbert
Lathrop; impossible!"
Il tink II Will be impossible; but
that's the engagements, but / specs she
just goin' to marry him to suit her pa
''She must be saved from that fate
said Margaret Bruce.
'sAn' she shall, missis! she shall! but
how? You see, they all think Marse
Angus kilt ole inarster. an I dasen't
speak. If I did. Marse Herbert would
sell me or kin me, an it wouldn't do
any good. Now, he thinks he's got Mag
fast; he promised to send south and buy
my chillen; ike I want my chillen to
b'iong TO a murderer There amt but
one way missis; there amt but one
way,
What way is that, Mag2y