Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-04-04
CHAPTER IN.
"nrn TESTIMONY WOULD NOT HOLD


CHAPTER IN.
Tier TESTIMONY WOULD NOT HOLD
GOOD IN LAW"
When Herbert Lathrop had said that
he was afraid of Angus, as he stood
there with the bloody knife in his hand,
he had not lied, for now that the cap
tain was beginning to realize the sit.
uation q wicked CLEAN had come into
his eyes. and Herbert escaped from his
presence none too soon. But he made
no Immediate outcry; nor did he hasten
with the speed with which he flew
through the hall, to arouse either
neighbors or officers of the law, but
anticipating that Angus would either
attempt to follow him or perhaps realize
that everything was against him, and
fly (Which he, Herbert, desired, when he
said: "If you escape ere return, can
not help it,"l he had walked toward the
rear of the house, thinking that if he did
seek escape, it would be in that direc-
ton, and he soon had the satisfaction Of
seeing the door open, and Angus and
Aunt Mag appear in the doorway.
ely, Angus Bruce!" said Aunt Mag,
nothing but your speed will save you"
Then he had seen Angus dash down
the steps and disappear in the darkness.
Even then Herbert stood there, lean
ing against the side of the house for
some moments collecting his thoughts.
"Now," he thought, eff Bruce have
sense enough and good fortune enough
to get beyond the reach of apprehen-
sion, SO much the better for him, for
he will save his life, and far better for
me, for there will be no one to dispute
my evidence-yes, and his fight will
make 1t appear doubly certain that he
murdered my uncle; the case will ad.
nit of not single doubt.
"Why, Fannie saw him turning from
the bedside with the bloody sheath
knife in his hand: her evidence and
mine will forever place bar against the
return of Angus Bruce to the coast of
Carolina.
"Aunt Mag, unfortunately, saw me
strike the blow, but terror will hold
her tongue fast; if not, her evidence
will not be taken. She might talk, but
II she does there is sure way to silence
her.
II might sell her; but no, I will keep
Mag always near me, where can watch
her.
!! "God or the devil speed you, Angus
Bruce, say I; bit go not near the Clara
Belle, for that will be the first point
the officers will search for you. Now,
If you"
I At this instant piercing scream was
heard from within the house; Fan
ME had revived.
] Herbert ran out the front gate, and
down Market street, and on the air as
he ran resounded the startling cry of
''murderl murderl"
! Sleepers awoke, rushed to their win
dows, and threw aside their blinds, to
see coatless, hatless figure speeding
by, and hear again the receding cry:
i "Murderl Murder!'
] Herbert halted not till at the door of
Sheriff Cobb, and Justify he sounded the
knocker.
.'Murderl Murder!"
! The sheriff soon responded, and, call
ing up the coroner and DR.. Davis, they
hastened to the Lloyd mansion, many
who had been aroused by Herbert's
cries joining them on the street.
/ At the house they found Fannie wild
with grief.
Back on the bed as he had fallen lay
the body of the banker. His night robe
and the bed as well were stained with
blood, his eyes were staring, wide open,
as If in horror.
: AS Herbert saw them he started back,
fearing that his work had not been
sure.
/ HE is Dead" said DIR. Davis, tone
need but to look at his eyes to tell that;
the film of death is over them"
Herbert breathed easier.
= This must be the weapon with which
the murder was committed" said the
sheriff, as he raised from the carpet,
where Angus had dropped it, the sheath
knife.
"That is the weapon he held in his
hands when my cousin and entered the
library, and Isnw him turning from the
bedside" said Herbert. "Blood covered
the knife as it does now; also his hands
and clothing, and on his face was the
look of fiend. / shall never forget it
till my dying day."
THAT blade" said the doctor, passed
entirely through the heart. Your
uncle's death must have been instant.
He could scarcely have made IN out
cry"
= "Nor did he," said Herbert, "or we
would have heard him"
II never would have believed that
Angus Bruce would have been guilty of
q crime" said the sheriff, ''much less
crime like that. Why, he kept his bank
account with your uncle. did he not?"
HE did, sheriff. 1t was not financial
matters that impelled' him to do the
deed"
WAS there a motive2"
II can think Of but one"
"And that?"
"Bruce loved the lady who on to-mor-
row night would have wed my uncle,
and jealousy, judge, caused the crime.
He was desperate because he could not
win Miss Hill. AS he saved her from
drowning, suppose he argued that
he was entitled to her hand, and
doubt not she would have preferred to
drown to giving it to him."