Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1897-10-20

don't COUNT, marster, but dis do" and
she clutched tightly the handle of the
knife that her dress skirt concealed.
If there be any present who know of
any impeachment why this man and this
woman may not lawfully be joined to-
gether in wedloclS, let them now speak.
or hereafter hold their peace"
Il knows, marsterI" and the tall
quadroon stood erect
Every eye in the chapel was turned
towards her with establishment.
She knew that to pause would be
fatal to her purpose. as she would be
elected from the chapel as insane, and
before the onlookers could recover from
their establishment, she hastened on.
Herbert Lathrop murdered his uncle.
l saw him strike the blow. 1t was not
Angus Bruce"
AT that moment steps were heard on
the piazza of the chapel.
He struck the blow from behind the
back of Angus, and 'cused him of the
crime. was the only witness, an
nigger's oath don't go; but Herbert La
throp killed ole marster"
All seemed paralyzed. Herbert's
white face was whittier yet, and his hand
dropped towards his hip pocket.
Clara had turned towards her father.
and was Historically calculating:
Home, father; take me home."
Fannie was leaning on the arm of
Clarence, speechless
"She is crazy" suddenly exclaimed
Herbert; always was crazy"
Certainly" said the squire; you
were foolish to bring her here. This
is very unpleasant. All know who
killed John Lloyd. He fled as a result
of the crime, and has become notorious
the world over. This poor creature is
insane. Remove her, Corbett."
Poor Aunt Mag" said Fannie; '.she
has surely lost her mind" and she tried
to go to her, but Clarence restrained
her.
L will proceed" said the clergyman.
AS Corbett stepped towards Aunt
Mag her shawl fell from her head and
shoulders, and her long black hair fell
to her very waist. Mag amt forget,
marster!"
A step nearer Lathrop, and one long
arm was raised on high; from the hand
CLEANED the glittering blade of dirk
knife. Mag won't fall"
Hold"
1t was a voice of command. Even
Mag stood still. with the knife-blade
poised lit the ait, as Hugh Gordon and
Tom. followed by the two officers,
STROBE down the aisle.
II forbid the marriage of Herbert
Lathrop and Miss HILL" said Gordon.
What mean you?" exclaimed the
squire. you are stranger here. What
impeachment can you know of to my
daughters marriage?"
'None, Squire Hill, to your daugh-
ter's; many to Herbert Lathrop's.
Aunt Mag has tcld the truth. John
Lloyd died by the hand of his nephew.
Lathrop is a self-confessed murderer
Last night in the library at Kendall
Lieut.. Hill and 1 heard his admissions
of guilt.
'He altered his uncle's will, inserted
his name in space left vacant for that
Of your friend, Col. Strange, and then
committed the crime that holds Angus
Bruce in exile, for under the very arm
of Bruce did he thrust the keen blade
that let out the bankers life, and then
the monster placed the crime on Angus
Aunt Mag saw it all. and none else.
"Lathrop had Bruce at his mercy.
When Miss Lloyd entered the library.
Angus, in horror, had just drawn the
fatal blade from the bankers breast.
"Col. Strange was not lost when the
Media went down, but has returned. He
drew the bankers will, and has stated
wherein Lathrop altered it,
Your son knows it all. But look at
Iathrop, squire; his appearance speaks
for itself"
Herbert's eyehalls were almost start
ing from their sockets. In that terrible
mement he had forgotten that he stood
by the side of Clara Hill, the girl whose
hand to obtain, together with his uncle's
wealth. had caused him to dye his hand
with blood.
The dead return to thwart me! Aunt
Mag turned traitor, tool"
Fannie lay unconscious in the arms of
Clarence, while Clara, leaning on the
arm of her father. stood white and silent
as a statue.
Officers" said Gordon, do your
duty"
The officers started towards Herbert
with the handouts.
All in the chapel were on their feet.
The spell that bound the assassin
seemed suddenly broken. "All. all gees
wrong! but Mag, the traitor" and be-
fore the officers could reach him, he
raised his weapon and fired.
The quadroon fell in the main aisle of
the chapel, and with ono frantic CIV
Herbert leaped on the chancel, vanished
through an open vestry door, thence
cut into night and darkness, and after
him the two officers of the law.
fro BE CONTINUED