Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-03-21

she assembled, and he retired 10 his
room, which was on the first floor, and
adjoining the library. from which .
door opened into 1t.
Aunt Mag securely boltsd the front
door, put out the lights In the parlor
and hall, and abe also ascended the
stairs.
Noiselessly she passed over the soft
carpet to the back Of the hall on the
second floor, and halted before door.
First her eye and then her ear was
applied to the keyhole-her eye saw
Herbert Lathrop standing before look
ing-glass in his shirt sleeves; he was
gesticulating wildly. and she heard him
say:
$50. uncle, 1 can neither we'd my
cousin Fannie, nor Clara Hill-the one
for Clarence, and you would be the
bridegroom to the other.
Watch well, my uncle! you may die
ere that, and suddenly-so suddenly
1 have it, your death. and In such man
ner that Angus Bruce shall appear the
murderer-the gallows then for him
two birds with one stone killed.
Truly, my uncle. there are two who
stand upon mine"
Aunt Mag assembled the stairs, and
repaired to her room, and as she is quits
an Important character in some Of tho
events that will follow, it may be well
to give the reader some information re-
garding her.
She had been brought to Wilmington
some dozen years before by a trader.
who stated that he purchased her at
an administration sale.
Her children had been sold and scat
tered, she knew not where, and her hus-
band had been purchased by Georgia
planter. Mag had been q house servant
all her life, and was now fully fifty
years Of age. Tall, scrawny, and what
was usually termed raw boned-never-
theless, her long arms were very muscu-
lar, and her large black eyes and jet
black hair that hung, when loose, far
down her back, proclaimed her Tusco-
rora origin.
John Lloyd had purchased her, nor did
be ascertain till afterwards that her
mind was somewhat unhinged, the re-
suit, probably, of having lost nll that
she had ever loved. She had strange
habit Of talking to herself. and had
some few articles Of clothing that her
children had once worn. AT times she
would get them out and talk to them, as
though her family were around her;
sometimes weeping, at others chuck
ling or laughing merrily as she recalled
some incidents in her early life; but
she was faithful, a clearly and obedi-
ent servant, and after the banker had
become accustomed to her ways he
would not part with her.
Indeed, he had sought the husband
and some trace of the children with o
view Of purchasing them. but could
learn nothing Of them.
Such was Aunt Mag; faithful and
true, but with disordered brain;
though. disordered as it was, she was
not wanting in the necessary steadfast-
ness Of purpose and determination req
uisite to enable her to watch the future
movements of Herbert Lathrop.
Herbert had thoroughly reviewed the
matter in his mind and had come to the
conclusion that with the banker safely
out OF the way and the guilt fixed on
Angus in no uncertain manner he
would be able to make Clara Hill his
wife. Notwithstanding all he had heard
her say, 1t was still his opinion that II
was his uncle's wealth alone that In
duced her to accept his proposal; but
how would the removal help him, in re-
spect to wealth? Fannie would inherit
all.
Perhaps it would be best to win Fan
ME or coerce her into marrying him;
but she was engaged to marry Clarence
and the squire and Clarence would be
more than he could overcome.
He must have their friendship, for he
would need them both.
How, then, could his uncle's wealth
become his? Remove Fannie also? No
that would never do.
One murder might be successfully
carried through, but two, not at this
time-and then there might be othe,
heirs who would inherit equally with
him-but, stay, there was the bankers
will among his private papers in the
vault at the bankl He had told him
where they might be found in case Of
his sudden death.
The first thing was to inspect thai
will, and that he would do before max
ing further plans.
Clara Hill returned to Orion week
after having accepted the proposal Of
Mr. Lloyd, and 1t = safe to say that q
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