Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-05-01

self 1 inquired for John Layton.
''He is-no one knows where" re-
piled Harry; 'but you are too weak to
either talk or listen."
"No, I'm not, Harry; tell me about
it."
He yet hesitated, but I urged him,
and he yielded.
"John Layton disappeared week
ago." said he. ''Absconded is the
better word, for he took with him
quite an amount of money belonging
to his father. The old gentleman is
very wroth, and has used every means
to find him, but has not succeeded.
Fanny Morton-they were to be mar.
ried soon, you KNOWS almost crazy
about it, and will not believe that
John intended to do anything wrong.
This is all that is known about it.
But, speaking of marriage, did you
know that Gerald Macburn and
Jenny Magrair are to be married to.
morrow"
"John Layton is Dead" said I,
without answering his question,
though it had sent pain through my
heart that was agony to me. "He is
dead, Harry Wilmot."
Harry gazed at me, pityingly.
"There, Fred, I wouldn't talk any
more" said he. ''You are very weak
yet. Try and sleep"
"You think 1 am still crazy,
Harry?"
"Don't Fred, don't! If you ever
expect to get off this sick bed you
must be more reasonable"
My question was answered. ]
turned my face 10 the wall and tried
to determine in my own mind whether
1 was sane or not.
I went to sleep thinking of it, and
when I awoke the sun was going
down.
Harry, who had been out during
my sleep, had just returned, and his
entrance had probably walked me.
''How do you feel now, Fred?" said
he, drawing a chair to the bedside.
Much better and stronger, Harry.
have had most refreshing sleep"
We talked awhile, and then I alb
ruptly asked him if he would grant
me one favor on the morrow.
Certainly, Fred, if it isn't asking
too much"
'It will be quite easy, though none
the less important. Will you promise
to carry out my directions faithfully?"
eff reasonable, yes. But couldn't
you postpone it for day? You know
the wedding comes off tomorrow.
''Not an hour, Harry, after sunrise
in the morning, and it should be done
tonight, if it were not too late"
"Well, go on, Fred, and let US hear
what it is"
/ did not tell him what I had seen
from the housetop, for 1 did not con-
slider myself competent to make an
accusation against any one; but 1 de-
scribed the srot where 1 firmly be-
lieved that I saw Gerald Macburn
murder John Layton, and l requested
him to take three or more companions
with him-men that could be trusted
and explore the spot thoroughly.
"Will you promise, Harry? Now,
don't say you will, and then forget it,
thinking 1 do not know what 1 am
talking about, for tell yog I'm not
insane now"
"Well, Fred, I promise"
I knew that Harry could be de-
pended upon, and felt much relieved,
passing very quiet night.
} Gerald Macburn was to be married
at nine o'clock, and at ten they were
to start on their wedding tour.
This was why was in such haste.
| Tf ba xroo orni1t1- frn,lxy
1 wished to prevent the marriage, or
at least to arrest him before he stepped
aboard the train.
hardly know how I passed the
time till Harrys return, was so i'm
patient.
heard the carriages of the guests
drive up to the door, and L could
family hear the busy hum of prepara-
tion below; and then the old town
clock, striking the hour of eight,
startled ne.
Only one hour longer, and Harry
had not returned. What if he had
missed the spot?
watched the hands of the little
clock and for once they went too fast.
L could almost see them move. Twenty
-twerty-tive-thirty minutes past
eight, and would he never come! Yes,
thank Godl 1 heard the gallop of a
horse on the graveled road, and in q
moment Harry entered the room,
flushed with excitement.
"What did you find Harry? Quick.
Qulck!"
''The body of John Layton!"
81 knew it, Harry! I saw the deed
I saw the murder. But there is no
time to lose. The wretch must be
secured before it is too late. Bring a
magistrate and an officer as quick as
you can"
He was not long away, and he brought
with him the old doctor, who was also
a justice, while an officer entered by
the back door and adroitly made his
way to my room, unobserved.
made my deposition, the warrant
was issued and handed to the officer,