The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-01-07
count upon Donald; tut, Jim, wha
changed this crazy plan of yours?'
Bum Shuddered.


changed this crazy plar of yours:'
Bum shuddered
More and more" said he, through
out ali these terrible days have come
to fear Donald. I had no faith in him
at first, but that night at Kelvin's I
saw my own fate in it. Well, let me
finish. Last evening I went quietly
across to Solway to take the train for
New York. No man can know what
misery endured. 4 traitor to my
best friend, a ruined man, suicide at
my age, unable to bear the weight Of
the year or two that would be granted
ne at the best! was insane, truly
insane l walked across to Solway;
and as stepped up on the platform
Of the railroad station there I came
face to face with Donald.
"tAh, Mr.. Bunn,' said be, 4 was
waiting for you
'I would have fallen If he hadn't
caught me in his arms. He lifted me
into q wagon, and when I got my
senses I found that Isaac Thorndyke
was there. We rode slowly bach: to
Tunbridge, and upon the way Donald
told me everything that had happened
to me in these dreadful weeks. he
told me what had said to Archer and
what Archer had said to me in our
most private conversations. He knew
my crime and my temptations and my
sufferings as they are known in heav-
en-. Do you think it's any wonder that
not only I, who was at his mercy,
but Thorndyke also, who was merely
a spectator, agreed to do precisely as
Donald directed? I was hidden in
Thorndykes house, and Donald drove
me over here this morning. We were
hidden across the street. Thorndyke
signaled to US from the window when
should come over
$50 far as my part Of it is concern
ed" said Thorndyke, ''this is all strict
ly true. OF course I could have no part
with Kelvin when such business as
this was doing"
And he entered into a weak eSplana-
ton and justification Of his previous
conduct BE was interrupted by q
sound Of confusion outside. We ran
Into the hall and saw men looking
from the window down into the street,
AS we went toward them Donald came
flying up the stairs.
"Uncle," he cried, taking my arm in
a grip that nearly broke it, "dor't you
believe this! Don't you believe it! Fa-
ther, tell him that had no knowledge
Of 1t. I didn't mean that the man
would dieT
''Not Gillespie?" cried.
eyes," answered Donald, with white
lips. "He's dead. He's been sitting in
bis wagon before the door here for
hours stone dead, and no one suspected
it. He was there by agreement with
Archer to stop Jim Bum in case he
should not keep his word-in case he
should not stay away from this meet
ing, as he had promised"
"Deadv' exclaimed.
':It's heart disease" said Donald.
"Uncle, you won't believe that I knew
it? I have no such powers. am a
fraud-an absolute fraud-and when I
told Gillespie to denounce me yester-
day because today would be too late I
meant that I should confess everything
openly today, and I'm going to do it. I
have merely been playing tricks"
you're excited, Donald" said his ia
ther, trying to soothe him. 'This mans
death should not affect you so. You are
In no way responsible for it."
We made our way to the street. Gil
lespie's body had been taken into a
store, and the doctor who had pro-
nounced him dead was just coming out
again.
"The fellow had weak heart" said
he in answer to ny question. "The
blow which he got by falling against
that hitching post weakened it still
more, and liquor combined with the
heat Of this noon finished him. There's
nothing unusual in the case.'
"Isn't there, eh?" said a voice behind
me.
turned and saw Kelvin, who raised
his right hand and shook finger at
Donald.
"I've got no cause to take sides with
you" he said, "but one thing I'm will
ing to admit: You are wonder, a
wonder! That's what you are"
''Mr. Kelvin" cried Donald in voice
of agony, "I have confessed"-
Confess all you want to-" answered
Kelvin. 81 heard what you said to
that man, and know what has hap
pened to him. That's enough for me-"
"But don't you see," exclaimed Don
aid, "a coincidence was bound to come.
1t was certain. couldn't 60 on in the
way was going without having some
thing Of this kind happen sooner or lat
er, never meant that he would die"
Kelvin was turning away, but Donald
sprang after him and caught his arm.
"Let me tell YOU" he pleaded. ''The
diamonds! I knew where they were.
Some one told me. Some one In your
house heard noise in the night and
looked out Of the window. And there
was Cobb digging hole in the ground.
It was dark, but she knew him By his
extraordinary shape. OF course she
had no idea what he was doing it for,
but when the diamonds were missed
she understood. Meanwhile she'd men
toned the incident to me. I'd confded
in her days before. had told her that
I knew there was plot against my
father and that Archer was in It, but
Afr. Harrington would never believe
the truth unless some awfully queer
thing was done to impress him. Well
she agreed to help me. She saw IN the
Cobb affair a chance for me TO SHINE.
She'd mentioned the incident to me ID
the morning before the diamonds were