Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-11-06
CHAPTER \XVI.


Sidcotc or any festivities at aIl-not
even a wedding cake. George drove his
bride and his mother home after the
service, and presently they had dinner
together. and George kissed his wife.
and his mother cried. SO that there was
little outward show of rejoicing. Yet
they all three rejoiced in their hearts.
and felt stronger and more hopeful. just
because they could now stand together.
In the afternoon Mary asked George to
60 out with her.
IL must 60 and see my uncle" she
said. 81 cannot bear to think of him
alone. Let us ask him to keep his money.
but to let us part friends"
They walked hand in hand across the
stubble fields. and through the lanes.
where the blackberry leaves were putting
on their autumn tints of red and gold.
and the berries of the hedge were all ripe
and red-the purple honeysuckle, the
Pink yewberry, the blackberry. rowan,
hip and haw-to Gratnor.
Strange, George. that we shall go
away, and never see the dear old place
again" said Mary, with a sigh. Let
lis 90 as soon as we can, so as to leave
it before the trees are stripped. and
while the sun still lies warm upon the
hills"
In the parlor Mr. Leighan was still
sleeping. though it was past his waking
time. Mary touched George by the
hand, and they sat down behind him in
the window and waited. They waited
for a quarter of an hour. Then they
heard a step outside.
ut Is David" George whispered. "Hc
will rouse his uncle. Is he come already
to ask for his fortune. | wonder?"
Just then Mr.. Leighan awoke. perhaps
disturbed by David's heavy step. and he
awoke just as he had done twice before
namely, suddenly and with a startled
shrek OF terror. Just as he had done
twice before he sat up in his chair. with
horror and fright In his eyes, glaring
wildly about the room
Mary, accustomed to witness this
nightmare. looked to see the terror
change into bewilderment. But it did
not.
For awhile his mind was full of his
dream; while he yet remembered the
place, the time, and the man. and before
the vision had time to fade and disap
pear, the very man himself Of whom he
had dreamed stood before him at the
open door. Then he No longer forgot ::
his dream became memory; he was
riding across Heytree Down in the even
ing; and he was met by his nephew with
cudgel, and the nephew cried out,
who robbed me of my land?" and
struck him across the temples so that he
fell.
Murderer. Robber." he cried. Help.
help! am murdered and robbed"
And then, 10. miracle. For the par
alytic. who had had no power in his legs
for six long years. sprang to his feet and
stood with outstretched arms crying for
help to seize the murderer. And David
stood before him with such look of
hatred and revenge as he wore on that
night. and In his trembling right hand
the cudgel ready to uplift and to strike
1t was over in a moment. for the old
man fell helpless and >-nseless upon the
floor. though David did not strike. The
skull cap was knocked off by the fall,
and exposed the angry red scar of the
old wound. He lay upon his back, his
arms extended in the fashion of a cross,
as he had fallen upon Heytree Down;
and as he lay there, so he lay here
with parted lips, streaming hair. and eyes
wide open. which saw nothing though
they gazed reproachfully upon his MUIR
derer. Then for space no one spoke
but David bent over his uncle, brenthing
hard. and George and Mary looked on
wondering and awestricken.
"A second time, David?"
David started, and turned. 1t was hi,
German protector, Baron Sergius Won
Holstein, and the tall figure of the baron
stood In the door, accompanied by my
self But on this occasion | counted for
nothing.
"A second time, David"
David gasped, but made no reply.
You came home. David" said tho
baron, ito give yourself In charge for
numbering and robbing your uncle. You
struck him over the head with your
cudgel, so that he fell dead at your feet.
You robbed him of a box of papers snd
a bag Of money. The thought Of the
crime gave you no rest by day, and at
night the ghost of your uncle came to
your bedside and ordered you to 60 home
and give yourself up. You came home.
fessed the crme:"
David made no reply.
Have you restored the papersT
Again he made no reply.
This Is your uncle; he looks as if
you had killed him second time. Mad
ame"-he addressed Mary am sorry
to speak of such things in the presence of
lady, but l have in my pocket the CON
tcsson of David I.eighan."
'IIe was not killed, after ALL" said
David. What matters the confession ?"
but he was robbed. Where are the
papers?'
Here they are-all that are left" |
observed that he had big book of some
kind under his arm; he laid this on tn,
table. There are his papers. Now
what's the odds Of confession or two?'
rs this mans presence desired by his
uncle?' the baron asked.
NO" said Mary. He comes every
morning and drives him nearly mad. He
had some power over him know not
what. He has made my uncle's life mis-
cradle for three months"
MY duty seems plain" said the baron
II shall go to the nearest police station
and deposit this confession They will,
suppose. arrest you, David. You car