Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-04-11
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copyright by A. N. Kellogg Newspaper Col
tcopyriGh. by A. N. Kellogg Newspaper Col

There were few comments made by
those present, but Abner Hill was much
surprised at the goodly fortune left
Herbert Lathrop, and more so ut his
being designated as administrator of
the will, without bond.
"This," he thought, "docs not com.
port with what from John Loyd's
words should have judged would have
been his actions, however, us the will
was drawn two years ago, he doubt
less since that time changed his csti-
mate OF Herbert, ard had drawn no new
will. dcferring it from time to time.
until his DEATH"
On the 5th of October Fannie wonld
be 1s years of age, and the squire de-
ter1nined to keep an eye on Herbert
tLathrop until that time; then he must
place her in possession of her inheri-
lance, but the bank, the bankers
moneys were to be withdrawn from
that institution and invested in realty,
bonds and Enthusiastically Her
bert Lath1op must be watched, and yet,
MS he had been remembered to the tune
of $4,000, perhaps he would deal hon
estly by Fannie.
IF my friend Lloyd had lived another
"A hours" thought the squire, "my
Clara would have been left at least half
OF this fortune, and l know Lloyd would
have preferred to have enriched her to
anyone else. Well, SO it oil goes to Fan
ME and Clarence and Herbert Lathrpp,
Who knows-perhaps Clara may wed
him. can't understand her infatua-
ton for Angus Bruce-why, yes, can;
he saved her life, and that fact made
him hero In her sight l actually be-
lievc that she grieved more ut the
thought of his being murderer than
because of the death Of her betrpthed.
Well, now that he is q murderer, she
VIII soon get over that infntuaton,"
Al the time the will was beino read.
there was standing just without tho
open parlor door negress. She stood
a little back from the door facing, but
wss eagerly bent forward, her ears taxi
Ing IN every word Of the instrument
1ead by the lawyer, and when the clause
YES read leaving Herbert Lathrop $780,
coo, she clasped her hands together aud
muttered to herself:
That's why you killed old marster,
Herbert Lathrop. You feared that
after be was married he would make a
nav will"
And further on, when the clause was
read making Herbert the administrator
OF the estate, she sold:
Il know enough. A nigger can't tes-
tfy, but niger can watch and wait
and pray. Herbert Lathrop, / can do
al! OF that, and I may do more"
The day after the will was read Fan
ME returned with the squire and Mrs.
Hill to Orton. OF course, her marriage
with Clarence would now be deferred.
One night ten days after Fannie's
departure Herbert Lathrop was seated
N the late bankers library ut a desk
examining bis private papers and mals-
ing plans for the future.
\ ~Everything works smoothly" he
said, as he brought lis hand down on
his knee. Fifty thousand dollars in
my own right, and the handling of an
estate OF half million for at least five
months Not till October 5 will Fannie
be of age, and In fvo months liberal
percentage of that half million should
become the property Of the admins
TRAITOR. All funds are now in accord
ance with the provisions OF the will
withdrawn from the bank.
4 There is good round sum to be In
vested in real estate and bonds-bank-
ing business Is too combining for my
temperament. must hive more ac-
tive life. Now a planters life would
suit me; fine plantation, lots of Mig
gers, good oyerseer, fine horses, pack
Of hounds, and-well, either Clara Hill
or Fannie for wife. Now Clara Hill
has got the most style, Fannie the most
money. Clara would be the hardest
to manage; then why not marry my lit
tie cousin?
"Why not! that is simple enough,
Herbert; she won't have you, and then,
she is engaged to Clarence Hill. Clear
ly will have to be satisfied with Clara.
/ can't antagonize the squire and Fam
ME and Clarence, for they will have
to aid me in capturing Clara. A plant
er's life requires, first of ALA planta-
ton; have it! The squire before leav-
ing for home informed me that Kendall
was for sale, and imagine he would be
pleased if would buy it; it joins Orion,
and would be the very place. Isuppose
it would take a hundred thousand dol
lars to buy the place with the slaves
upon it-clearly my $4,000 would not
avail. I'll buy it, though, from funds
of the estate, and if the purchase proves
a good one, and everything turns hap
PLY for me-
''Why, then, I bought the property for
Herbert Lathrop; otherwise 1 but fol-
low the provisions of the will-there's
lots of pickings in this administration
business.
''By the way, Unjust offer that reward,
Isuppose,for theapprehension ofBruce.
1t is rumored on the street that I'm to
do so, but everything moves off SO well
that hope he will not be captured. 1t
would be disagreeable to have to con-
front him-there was danger in his eye
that night as he stood there, with the
sheath knife in his hand, when he real
lied the trap had set for him. i'm
agine he would not be very safe man
for me to encounter.
Strange that the Clara Belle has not
been located yet. Bruce evidently is
aboard her, or she would have been. If
he stay aboard her, and on this coast,
1t is only u question of time until he be
captured. Now, if he would only resist
arrest and get shot without my having
to confront him it would be we'll; as
1t is, all can do is to hope for u con.
tinuance of my former luck. I'll &c
down tomorrow and consult Squire
Hill. 1t would be we'll to show conf
dence in his judgment, and if 1t coin
cides with mine I'll purchase Kendall
Ofcoursc, he'll think that was ruled by
him alone; now, that would be q stroke
of policy"
Here there was tap on the library
door, and Herbert started suddenly tt
his feet.
"Why, how the least sound startles
me. must get out of here; this house
can't hold me another night. Pshaw'
it,a hut Amt Mao" and he sank int