Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-06-20

my investigation to termination.
"You will draw out the ordinary
formula of testament" he said, Civ
ing the young girl close, scrutiniz-
ing look, in which L could detect a
warning expression, writing as I
dictate. Miss Pickering has already
acquainted me with her destined dis
posal of her property, and will nc
quiesce when it is finished. I sup
pose her affirmation will be all that is
necessary"
L was somewhat surprised at the
strangeness of the request, but re-
piled:
Certainly, if I nm confident that
she is compos mentis, and she too ill
to dictate the instructions herself"
Here a slight exclamation broke
from the lips of the occupant of the
bed, as if about to frame a wcrd or
sentences; but she was checked by
Jackson, who, with a threatening
scowl, evidently not meant for my OBJ
servation, said:
"Do not exert yourself, my dear
niece; L will do all that is necessary,
and then, as drew the writing materi-
ais before me, he quickly leaned over
toward her, and Kissed in her ear,
'Remember-be careful" with such
emphasis as to cause her to sink, pale
and trembling, back among the pillows
of the bed.
A half-hour elapsed, snd the will
had been completed. All Blanche
Pickerings property, personal and
real, was to be divided between the
man Jackson and his son Henry, with
the exception of few small legacies.
Then read it, and after propounding
the few necessary interrogatories to
the legator, which were answered in a
low, trembling affirmative, requested
her to sign it.
Drawing my chair up to her side,
with the paper and pen IN my hand, L
waited for her to obey my request
intimating to jackson that it would be
as well to have Cooper as witness.
The latter individual had, evidently,
fallen asleep, for, call not bringing
him to the bedside, Jackson arose and
walked to where his confrere lay.
At this moment, and with the rapid
ity of light, the girls hand caught my
own, and leaning my head downward,
50 that L could listen to what she
might desire to say. heard her whis-
per, in passionate, beseeching words:
81 am forced to this They intend
to kill me! For heavens sake, help
me!'
Then she sank back, and before
Jackson had been able to observe us,
we had both resumed our former rela-
tive positions.
At last the will had been signed,
witnessed and sealed, and, hat in
hand, stood at the table awaiting
my clients further pleasure, as if L
had not the idea in my mind Of return
ing before morning, and that, too,
with an officer of justice.
1 followed my servitor down the
stairs, listened to his untruthful re-
grets that the carriage must have re-
turned to the house, as agreed upon,
and then gone to the city; declined
his offer to remain for the night, and
having been directed to the station,
stood once more in the open air.
Suddenly wild scream of terror
assailed my ears. In a moment I was
again up the steps, and turning the
knob of the door in an Intellectual at
tempt to gain admittance.
L was about to attempt to force an
entrance through the window, when
the door was flung suddenly open, and
the man Cooper stood before me.
He discovered me at once and
struck at me with his clenched fist.
Evading the blow, L whipped out my
revolver, and, striking him with the
but end, knocked him senseless upon
the steps.
= was again about to turn and en-
ter, when the form of jackson dashed
down the staircase through the open
door, and felt myself in his grasp.
[ saw at once that he was unarmed,
and elevating my pistol, fired; but the
shot was turned aside and the weapon
knocked from my hand to the ground.
Then ensued fearful struggle be-
tween us, in which we both were pre-
cipitated down the steps upon the
gravel walk below-I uppermost.
1t was, perhaps, for two minutes
that I held him by the throat, dealing
him blows with my disengaged hand
he having the other in his strong
grasp-when, with dexterous twist
of his powerful arm, he turned me
aside, and / lay PROSTATE upon the
ground with the vicelike grip of his
strong fingers grasping me by the
throat until my eyes were staring
from their sockets and every muscle
became inactive.
Selling large stone which lay near
him, he raised it in his left hand and
was about to strike me on the head
when q sharp, loud report rang on the
air. The form of the ruf1ian fell back
his fingers relaxed their grasp.
A form in white passed before my