Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1902-02-21

an innocent man has been placed, but
through the efforts of Mr.. Sellars an hon
orable name has been vindicated and the
murderer of our old friend and his ac-
cOmplice are before you"
What say you, gentlemen of the jury
guilty or not guilty?" asked the clerk.
''Not guilty" responded the foreman, in
loud voice.
A cheer went up that resounded
through the building.
"Order Order in courtv' cried the
sheriff.
Robert Campbell you are discharged
from custody" said the judge.
The young man arose to his feet, and
with happy smile on his countenance
passed within the bar, where his first act
was to grasp the hand of the great detec-
tive. MY preserver" he cried. May
God bless you, Lang SellarsH'
And he will,' were the words that fell
from the lips of the Widow Campbell.
Hattie /DeRosette had arisen to her
feet as Robert approached. Her face
was marble-like in it's whiteness, and she
had sat throughout the proceedings as
one in trance.
The effort had been too much for her,
and with the word "Robertr' she fell for
ward, to be clasped in the arms of the
man she loved
Another cheer went up from the lips Of
the vast throng in the court room.
"Order in courtv cried the sheriff.
Conduct your prisoners to the box, Mr.
Sellars," said the judge, that they may
be arraigned for a trial that will speedily
fAI1 II .,,1, L.
long"
First" said Selars, 81 will shackle
this scheming villain" and with a pair
of steel bracelets in one hand he reach
ed towards Herman Craven.
A shrek burst from the white lips of
the bank president and the loud report
of a revolver followed it.
Herman had held the weapon concealed
in his hand, and it had been instantly di-
rected at the detective, but as unexpect,
ed as it had been, Selars had reached the
arm of the assassin in time to divert the
messenger of death from himself, and it
found lodgment in the bosom of Stephen
Craven, who for moment stood notion
less, then tottered and fell forward to the
flo.
Sellars had secured Herman's weapon.
and ere the father had been raised to a
chair had him securely shacked.
The ladies present screamed in terror,
and the court room was in commotion.
Order in court!" cried the sheriff, who
was bending over the form of Stephen
Craven.
The detective literally carried the man.
acled form of Herman to the prisoners $
box, where he placed him, shrieking, ON a
seat.
I'm done for" presently gasped his
father. Murdered by my own son! The
cur. 1t was your life he aimed at Sellars.
Well, better so. There will be but one
victim at the hanging bee. II might
have escaped and carried him with me,
coward though he be. Better so! Better
so! 1t was fatal shot, boy. II have
nothing to regret-no favOrs to ask. No,
no, nothing. | die as | lived-a-a dead
game sport!" And with his head on the
sheriff's arm, the soul of Stephen Cra-
ven passed before its maker.
Court is adjourned for the day." an
nounced the judge, and a half hour later
the court room was untenanted.
The body of Stephen Craven had been
SVHNtytu W TIE mOTHue.
Herman Craven, the president of The
Cape Fear Bank" occupied felon's cell
in the county Jail.
John ID. Lloyd had been accompanied
by Judge Fowler to his residence, where
there was joy over the return of one who
had long been mourned as dead.
Sellars was captured by the mother and
sister of Robert Campbell, and accom-
panied them home. Leaning on Roberts s
arm with the same party was also the
young heiress, whose form still trembled
with emotion.
II always distrusted Herman Craven ~
said Hattie, when the party were seated
in the Campbell home, and Aunt Caro-
line had placed before them an urn of
tea, of which the good soul thought the
ladies stood sadly in need, 'but | little
dreamed of the villany in his nature. In
receiving him into our home my dear faith
er received"
"A viper" exclaimed Sellars. "But un-
der the tutelage of Stephen Craven he
could not have been less"
"Oh, dear Robert, how you must have
suffered" said Hattie.
IL was never alarmed as to the out
come. my love, from the time that our no.
BILE friend Sellars assured me that I
should not stand upon the gallows trap"
You could pay me no higher compli-
ment than that conveyed by those words -
said the detective, grasping the young
mans hand.
At this time Arthur Dobbs and his
father Joined the party. "All honor to the
man who has vindicated noble name
unraveled double mystery, and brought
to justice a father and son, who for cold
blooded villainy have never been equaled
in American exclaimed the senior man.
as he approached Sellars.
There was one quality man could