Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1900-02-02

not dish onored
(siSnedl JOHN OAKBuRN'
That this letter had been written by
John Oakburn there could be no doubt.
q II was, indeed on false trail, but
the fact that the shot which killed Oak.
burn was clearly fired from distance
caused every one to exclude the posi-
bility Of suicide from the case" said
Paxton.
The detective began to think the mys-
terry OF Marion's conduct was clear
Ing up.
ITO shield her fathers memory from
dishonor and disgrace, the noble girl,
who must HAYES first discovered her
father when Stuart Harlanda saw her
stealthily leaving the office, removed
the pistol with which he killed himself,
and destroyed every evidence that might
point to suicide, so that the impression
might be given that he had been MUIR
dered and robbed. She is true heart.
She was, indeed, inspired by a noble
purpose, said Paxton.
"You have stated the truth, / firmly
believe" said Stanmore.
yes, you have hit it at last. Marion
Oakburn is as innocent as you are. AS
you say, she wanted to save her fathers
memory from dishonor, said Kredge. q
But what about the money you stole?
You haven't told us where to find that, ,"
said the detective. 3~
"I've spent about three thousand dol
lars of it, and the rest is hid. It's safe,
you can bet on that. Don't fret about
it. | mean to make a bargain with you, ,"
answered the scoundrel, with cunning
leer.
In what way?"
Promise me I'll be discharged and
I'll give up the money"
We'll see about that, said Paxton.
"Yes; Marion must be consulted"
said Stanmore
II reckon the girl will be glad to con-
sent to let up on me when she knows Of
the money! said Kredge. Now you
understand my remarks which puzzled
you heretofore, take it, he replied.
Perfectly. replied Paxton, and ac-
companied by Stanmore he soon left the
prison.
After this, some days elapsed, and.
then to Stanmore's inexpressible Joy,
Marion's malady took a favorable turn.
The physician declared the crisis passed,
and he gave Stanmore the assurance
that Marion would recover.
As soon as she was sufficiently recov.
cred to warrant it, Stanmore told Ma
ron of the confession made by Pratt
and Weeks, and by Levi Kredge, the
janitor.
I'VE understand the mystery Of your
conduct now. You meant that your
fathers memory should be shielded.
When you knew that he appropriated
Garrison's money and committed sui
eide, you determined that the world
should believe he had been robbed and
murdered" he said.
"Yes, that is the explanation. But
must tell you all. On the night OF my
fathers death, became alarmed at
his absence, and without disturbing any
one, descended to the Office, thinking
1t possible he might be there. He some
time worked in the Office in the evening.
When I entered the office, found my
father dead. On the floor beside him
was sheet of paper upon'which he had
written few lines. / remember them
well. They were as follows:
Heaven bear witness that 1 was in
intention innocent, but have appropri-
ated the seventy eight thousand dollars
belonging to my employer, which drew
from the bank to-day, to my own use.
/ have decided I shall die by my own
hand, but I cannot face the pistol. l
shall place it in the bracket by the door
and discharge it by means OF string
attached to the trigger, while my back
Is turned. Farewell, Marion, my daugh-
ter said Marion.
"Ah, understand. While Kredge Sc
cured the first message written by your
father, when he had decided to commit
suicide, he did not find the message
which you have repeated, said Stan
more.
when read my dead fathers mes
sage. resolved that he should not be
branded as a thief, that his memory
should be revered, that he should leave
behind him the reputation he dearly
priced, that of an honest man.
Then l remembered the pistol, Sc
cured the tell-tale letter, and stole from
the office. After cOncealing the weapon
in my trunk, went to Judith's room, and
then we descended together to the office.
What ensued you know.
"The paper, upon which I depended
to prove my innocence when l knew !
was suspected as being concerned in
nv fathers death, was his last message.
l despaired, when l discovered l had
lost it.
when, during the process OF Stuart
Harland's trial, 1 became convinced that
he would be found guilty, resolved to
tell all, but Judith must have discovered
nv intentions, I think, for the night l
made the resolution that on the follow
ing day would come forward with my
testimony and save Stuart Harland, l
was abducted while unconscious from
some anesthetic which had been ad-
ministered when I slept, and when l
awoke found myself prisoner in the
house of the old woman called Mother
kits. When, after Reid's escape, was
dragged back to the prison-room from
which he had liberated me, secreted
nv fathers last message, which was
concealed in my bosom, in hole in the
wall of the Fireplace. Next morning,
after troubled sleep, looked Tor the
paper and it was gone.
Thus Marion explained, and, further,
she confirmed Reds statement that he
had deceived her as to his real charac.
ter.
Now that she knew him she despised
him, and a fierce desire that he should
be punished for having Indirectly been
the cause of her beloved fathers death.
The lovers conversed tenderly for
some time, and at last Stuart left the
bedside of the fair invalid, and sought
Paxton the detective, and together they
proceeded to the house Of Mother Kits.
The replace in the room where Marion
had been imprisoned was demolished,
and there where it had slipped down be-