The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-06-25

health entirely failed. he determined to
send for you. and perhaps place his aft
fairs in your hands,"
Anything that | can do within the
range of honor and integrity, l shall be
pleased to undertake." Earle answered.
I'VE felt 40. The case then is this:
but, of course, you will recognize the
fact that the history of our friends life,
which l shall be obliged to unfold to you.
is told in strict confidence. Will you
promise to regard that confidence as a
sacred trust, never to be told to another,
until all that is now mysterious has been
swept awayW
II will"
Then | will proceed Our friend was
the youngest son of Sir Godfrey Glen
denning. residing in a large town near
Liverpool. This gentleman had one
daughter, who married against his
wishes, and three SONS. Arthur, who
would in case of his death succeed to
the title; Reginald, two years younger,
and Fitzroy. the gentleman you see be-
fore you, whose severe domestic misfor-
tunes have been so great that for the last
twenty-five years he has been obliged to
live in this country. under the assumed
name of Rappelye."
"A short time after the death of his
parents, for they expired within few
months of each other, and after his
brother Arthur had come into possession
of his title, little turmoils arose between
the brothers, and seemed to embitter
them exceedingly.
Reginald, the second son, had an ugly,
morose disposition, that was peculiarly
exasperating and whenever the oppor-
tunity occurred he delighted in getting
Fitzroy into disgrace with the young
barOnet.
These young. men had very pretty
cousin, in whose society they each took
extreme pleasure. Her name was Con
stance Leonore Glendenning. 1t was soon
discovered that the affections of the
young girl were centered upon Sir Ar
thur, and this knowledge was immedi-
ately followed by a betrothal.
Reginald, being somewhat disappoint-
ed that he could not win the prize, I'M
dertonk to report several little interviews
of purely innocent and accidental ma
tire that Fitzroy had with this lady to
his brother, casting a very sinister light
upon them, and assuring Arthur that
F'itzroy was endeavoring to supplant him
in her favor
This artful story Infatuated the young
nobleman. and caused very bitter inter
view. FitzrOy Indignantly denied every
thought of interference declaring the
truth, that his love for Constance was
merely cousinly. This Sir Arthur refus-
ed to believe, and they parted in anger,
Fitzroy exclaiming in a moment of I'M
guarded passion as he left him:
Very well. think so if it suits you;
but, mark me, you shall yet repent your
unjust accusations, and, as I live. shall
never repeat this insult
Closing the door as he spoke. he step
ped into the hall and stood face to face
with Antoine Duval, the valet of his
brother Reginald, and from the conscious
look he gave him, t'itzroy knew that he
had either purposeiy listened or acct
dentally heard the unfortunate remark.
The brothers did not meet again that
day. but early the next, Fitzroy was
awakened by an unusual tumult. To his
horror he was told that Sir Arthur had
disappeared during the night. His bed
had been occupied as usual. but he had
probably been murdered. or very badly
wounded, as while no traces of his body
could be found. evidences of a contest
were on every side.
Blood was upon the bed and floor.
the window seat was covered with 1t, az
though he had been dragged through it,
and then by means of rope let down to
the ground below. From the grass to an
ornamental lake not far distant were
irregular patches of the same human
gore. Beyond that, nothing was ever
discovered. That lake was thoroughly
dragged for the body; the grave by the
side of 1t was searched. not a spot being
left in which corpse could be buried.
to no effect.
But. while stupefed with grief over
his brothers loss. our poor friend was
made aware that the finger of suspicion
pointed to him with singularly fatal evil
dences of guilt.
"A dagger with his name engraved
upon the handle was found by the bed
side, on the floor, its blade still wet with
blood. Beneath the window seat. caught
upon nail, was fragment of cloth
which, upon search being made, fitted
exactly into n rent in dressing gown
of his that was found hanging in his
own closet
"All he could, conclude was chat some
unknown enemy had struck the fatal
blow, and after stealing these articles
from his private rooms. had left the
dagger purposely upon tine floor and re-
turned the torn and bloody gown to the
closet, in order TO fasten suspicion upon
him. and thus shield themselves.
ITO make a long story short. in due
time the trial took place, and Sir Regi-
maid Glendenning. who had succeeded to
the title, testified to the bitter feeling
that had existed between the brothers.
He also Identified the dagger and dress
ing gown as belonging to the prisoner.