The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-02-12

sorted and strangely moved by
some grim thought. The time
was long ago. and night-csacily IL
by the clock In the corner. which had
just finished Ginning.
Fifteen years tonight" he nut
tered. Fifteen years of torture. ter.
rible dreams. dreadful whlsperings
from the past. l wonder what became
of Hockln."
AS If in answer TO the words a panel
behind him slid back. and man
stepped out of the cavity thus revealed.
He was short ard thin. A broken nose
told of conflict and heavy fist.
He carefully closed the opening from
which he had emerged. and crept to-
ward the dropping figure by the table;
then touched him on the shoulder.
Wheeling sharply around the baronet
sprang to his feet, shastly and GUY
ering.
Horror" he exclaimed. "You-
Uocklin-al.vc"
Il am afraid So" returned The other.
"What do You want:"
"You, o. money sad Eocl;..n. ss.n.
ming.
'Not pcnny-not a cent shall you
have, unless to ch)ke yourself with"
Hocklin folded his arms. stared
straight before lin. grinucd broader
and more sa:do.!cally. bct said never
word.
He sank li.npiy into his seat. Lcrrc-
less and Overwrought, covering his
face with both HANDS. and shivcging as
at sight of spectre.
Now. listen. my noble braggart.
Five. ten. fifteen years since, there
lived rich old man and his grand
daughter. She was an only child. and
an orphan-weak and delicate. yet |
strong enough to come between her
cousin and the fine estate of Arn,ey |
This cousin did not desire either OF
them to live. Why should he? The |
grandfather had already one foot in |
the grave. and little management |
would soon help the other there with
out exciting suspicion. 1t did; and lie |
was buried. That alone is worth a |
moose; or. to keep it from n tender
neck, $500. But there is more.
"Hcart-Drol;en and distracted at her |
loss, the SRI. q maid of ten. pined and |
faded rapidly, which was the very |
thing she was wanted to do. Then |
the doctors interfereG. Fresh air, new |
scenes, constant travel, might save her. |
they said; and had to be obeyed. SO |
kindly, harmless gentleman was |
found to take her abroad. ard lose her, |
n ~ In.
anywhere so sine I'D rot return. Ac-
cordlnely they Went away together. |
with blessing and fond wishes. Pres. |
entity the benevolent gentleman came |
back in mourning, with funeral card |
and to report a painless end. The |
cousin wept joycully, planted Il row OF
daisies, entered upon the property. now
his, and enjoyed i, to the full. Which,
venture to think, IA worth at least |
another G50o, without expenses"
by all the iienGs. no. 1t Is moa.
strous lie, devised to ruin me. Where
are your proofs: Produce them II you
can. The old man died naturally in |
his he'd, and the Gir!-;hc girl"
"Ay. what about the gill:" lus.nu-
ated Hocl;l!n, Gs S.- Joseph paused ana
hesitated. "Suppos.ES the story have
just told to be false, how is II you rec
osniZed dear Mr.. Hocklln. the blame
less, simple gentleman. who was blind
with both eyes open. and too great Il
fool 10 know murder when he saw It?
And why did the worthy physician re-
puirc to be drunk with Wine and the
prospect Of n big fee before he would
give certificate 70: Il natural death!
Believe me, l am most anxious 10
learn"
Does any ono know where you are,
or what Is the object OF your vlsit?"
Not n soul besides ourselves" re.
sponded the other cooliy.
And 70 one saw you cnter?" His
fingers were twitchlns cxc.tediy near
n pocket.
81 guarded well against that" came
the prompt reply.
"Then." thundered tine barOnct. whip.
ping out pistol. aud levelling 1t point.
blank. 'nelther shall any one see you
depart alive"
There was fash. deafening report.
a cry OF rage and pain. and n crash Of
something falling. But it was only the
weapon. As the trigger was pulled. a
terrific blow ser; It spinning among the
cinders OF the hearth. where It raised
small cloud OF dust.
"You unhappy fool" said Hocklln
calmly. bctraying no symptom OF anger
or impaiience: had shat bullet taken
effect my death would have beer. yoar
doom. Before setting out. TOOK the
prceaution OF putting In writing ccr.
tain details OF youi history. These I
sealed aud gave TO friend. II fail
10 claim them by certain time they
wiz be delivered 10 the police. with
what result you may imagine. There.
fore. M yorr life depends Oh mine. let
there he no more norscnse. And now
for the money
''you can't maze ~" snapped Sir
Joseph. fN
''Iudceds' cxclaimei llis ccinparlou
binndly. 'sWhyfv =
Because rnerc Is 10 suc.i sum in
the house"
ssIs~ocfeolx - % 4 .x,..toI