Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-09-23
CHAPTER xxn.-coNrINUED.

there were two witnesses, DuC MISS IOyu
was not one of them. She but entered
the library in company with Herbert
Lathrop. and saw Angus turning from
the bed; the bloody knife was in his
hand. He had just drawn it from the
tpsom of the banker, where it was
buried, even to the hi;t, by the hand OF
Lathrop. The blow was struck with the
assassin standing behind the back of
Angus-the blade was thrust under his
very arm. 1t was well-laid plot to
throw the guilt on Bruce, and in getting
rid of the uncle to brand with the mark
of Cain one he had reason to fear would
prove a bar to the eonsummation of the
wish to make your sister his wife.
angus was paralyzed with horror,
but he saw the retreating form of ha-
throp as he receded through the bath
room. and heard a cry
HE esprang forward, but the closed
door was barrier that withstood even
his weight. He heard voices on the 9th
err side. but turned back
There lay the banker, dead. In very
horror, he grasped the handle of the
knife and drew it forth. the red blood
followed it, staining his hands and
clothes. He gave cry of murder, and,
as he turned, with the knife in his hand,
Lathrop and Miss Lloyd entered the Ii
brary. Miss Lloyd tainted at the terri
bic sight that met her gaze. Dathrop
charged Angus with sthe murder, and
fed to cali officers and cause his arrest.
All circumstances we're against him;
even the murdered mans daughter
would have Condemned him to the moose
of theshangman.
ITO fly was but further evidence of
his guilt To remai1t was to die on the
eallows. He chose the former aIterna-
tive. Would you or have done other
wise?
Life is dear, reputation to some men
dearer yet: both We're dear to Angus
Bruce. and made doubly so, by what
had become the highest ambition of his
ife-he would live, and live to see the
; murderer of John Lloyd brought to JUS
tice. and his own good name clear"
''You appall me; but where got yor ali
of this information? who was this other
witness? who uttered this cry of which
you speak? why has this witness re-
manned silent?"
Because, Mr.@Hiil, the evidence of
this witness would not be taken in a
court of law against a Caucasian; that
fact, and terror have kept her lips
sealed. Lathrop would have killed her
afso, had he not have known that her
evidence could not condemn him-An-
gus knew it, or he would have remained
to confront his accuser, who told him
as he staggered from the room, that IL
h4gger's oath wouldn't save him. Aunt
Mag knew it, for she begged Angus
to fly"
Aunt Mag! What, the old house
keeper? What knew she about it?"
''All, all! 1t was she who uttered the
cry in the bathroom; she saw the knife
driven home by the hand of Lathrop:
she is the other Witness
Great God," exclaimed Tom. Can
it be possible?'
"You still doubt?'
81 must, without legal evidence"
''You are friend, an admirer of Her
bert Lathrop's?"
Far from being an admirer, if indeed
there be anything about him to admire.
A friend, must be since he weds my
sister, and yet have had hard work to
reconcile myself to the union"
would you doubt the evidence of
your own ears, should you hear Her
bert Lathrop confess his guilt?'
''How could I? But I think 1 shall
never hear the words: L am guilty of
the murder of my uncle, fall from his
lips"
''You shall. and you shall see him. too,
and in every lineament of his coun-
tenance. while he utters the words that
condemn him, read his guilt"
when? How? If there is truth in
all this. there is no time to lose"
There will be none lost; all arrange
ments are perfected. Lathrop has gone
10 Wilmington, as you probably know.
He will return on the down trip of the
Sunshine, and be home at seven o'clock,
though he may leaSe the boat at Orion
landing and call at your house before
going to Kendall. ghat we cannot tell;
but will you meet nae at 6: 80 this even
ing. prepared to hear and witness what
I have told you, after he has entered
his house? Otherwise, remember the ter
rible position in which your sister will
be placed when she finds herself welded
to a murderer"
"It needed not that last remark to
induce me. Yes, will meet you at
the time stated, and at the rice mill on
yonder ridge. From there we can see
where the steamer stops. But won t
you come to the house and dine with
us? 1t is now noon. and father must
know of the hazard of his daughter?''
BY no means. A word or a suspicion
would ruin all. Do not lisp a syllable
1T your home. Remember, if it proves