Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-09-02
CHAPTER XVII.

| CHAPTER XVII.
''COULD HE, COULD A MURDERED MAN,
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
rfage 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 it was
| troubled with ftful 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 Will
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 50|another
cipher will do it-now change that
five to 5O-there, it's done.
Hold! let me look. to the windows
ard doors, no one must witness this.
The witnesses names are attached to
the deed already-who are they?
Strange and Bligh! Why! they were
both lost at sea-what! no administra
tor named? the space left vacant, and
no bond required? Herbert Lathrop,
you were born in luck-there, now, the
names filled in, put the papers back
! just as found them, now lock the safe
that much is accomplished.
snow to slip out and close the bank.
But why slip out? work here often
nights, what made me say that?
'Now the bank door is closed. When
next it opens there will be black Grape
| fastened there.
"Ah, Angus Bruce, you will escape
suspicion; the murder must appear the
work of burglars. Why. here's a bar
open; horn of brandy will stiffen my
| nerves.
what! Angus Bruce just on the cor
ner! Fortune favors me-a letter from
my cousin-wish to see my uncle. Ger
1 tainly, captain; follow me.
| '.Now we are in the library. No
trouble, captain, if you don't see him
| tonight; you may not see him before
he leaves on his wedding trip.
"UTncle joint Uncle Johni
what is it, nephew?
"Capt. Bruce is here and wishes to
see you particularly.
Angus to enter my room.
'Now, upstairs! Upstairs!
Fannie! Fannie!
Eyes, cousin.
angus Bruce is below with letter
to you from Clara.
"Tell Angus I will be down at once.
"Now open the trunk-the sheath
knife! have it in my hand-ah. but
the blade is keen and long-kick off
these shoes and put my slippers on;
now off with my coat, roll up that
sleeve. the blood might stain Tiny
uncle's blood!-it's too late to hesitate
now, the will is changed. A drink of
brandy and one look in the glass-why
how pale I am-now softly, softly,
down the stairs-the bathroom door
is open, I am inside; there stands
Bruce before my uncle, who is sitting
on the bedside.
eff she tells me, Angus, that she WEEDS
me but to satisfy her fathers demand
Twill return to Wilmington a single MAJ.
$50, SO, then Clara does not love you
Uncle John, but Angus, Angus! and she
shall not wed him, but your nephew,
Herbert Lathrop-can 1 get behind
Bruce without his seeing me? Yes
yes! softly but quick, here I am-now
under Bruce's arm-clutch the handle
tiglt-drive hard-home! home to the
hilt; now fly!
THAT cry! that cry!
II have you, Magi Ihave you."
Herbert sprang from the bed, the cry
still on his lips; the big beads of per-
SEPARATION pouring from his body-shalz-
ing and quivering in every limb.
MY God! My God! how horrible!
Why. it's but dream-this bottle will
liven me up bit; that came of Mays
talk last night. Perhaps 1 will SLEEP
now"
He closed his eyes, but uninterrupted
ly the dream kept on.
Mag, you're Niger; you can't ties
tify-a word and I'll kill you. Silence
: and I'm your friend-Ill buy your chill
dren. 1t was Bruce, Mag; remember
} it was Bruce. Now I'm back in my
room. All! a drink, quick! quick
I That was Fannie's door; I'll join hel
: on the stairs, and we will view the seen,
together. What's that? Murder. muir
l deri
5 1--WE enter the door; there's Bruc,
? turning from the bedside, with TIN
!. bloody knife in his hand. 1t couldn'
: be better-what look of horror on hi
face. I'll call it fiendish look; there
I Uncle John leaning back on the bed
i and blood. blood everywhere. Loci
r again; Fannie screams and faints.
"Angus Bruce. you have murdered m.
uncle!
e 'Liarl This is your scheme. 1t i
0 you that murdered him.