Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-04-18

apprehension anu TemOr6e. 1 LOOK
refuge in that deserted cabin, and feel
ing that an attack was upon me, and
not knowing but it would be the last,
made few preparations and
stretched myself out in the bunk,
covering myself with blankets l car
ried with me.
Then you came, Nate Darrell. Up
to the time you closed my eyes every
move you made inside the cabin was
seen by me; every word you spoke
heard
What did Darrell do?" asked Pay
ton. bent on proving barrels story.
McCloud recited barrels actions in
detail, substantially as Darrell had al
ready set them forth.
What were your feelings, Nc
Cloud?" continued Payton.
The utter silence Of the room was
broken only by the low tones of the
speakers and an occasional burst of
music from the dance hall.
Il was glad" said McCloud, s'glad
that Darrell could save himself by i'm
personating me. My hope was that
might die and be found, after time,
and mistaken for Darrel-just as he in
tended. But fate spared me for this
final act of PREPARATION. l recovered
and, for the last four weeks, have been
living with a prospector in the hills"
Again he addressed Darrell.
81 have what you wrote and placed
over me-" said he. Taking Morocco
purse from his pocket, he brought from
it a ragged slip OF brown paper. Read
it, DOCTOR" he added. ut will prove
that Nate Darrell is man Of fine feel
ing"
Payton took the slip and read it.
SIS there another paper in the pocket
book?" he asked.
''This."
1t was the writing which told of the
marked bullet and deep breath es-
capped the listeners when its contents
were made known to them.
"Let us come back to your relations
with Murgatroyd," proceeded Payton.
"You say they began in Denver?"
Yes; in gambling house in Den
yer. played there night after night,
forging checks to cover my losses.
Murgatroyd took the stolen money and,
finding me an apt pupil, taught me
how to play with him and help him
fleece others. I went from bad to
worse. Friends paid the amount Of the
forged paper, hushing the matter up.
From that hour, however. was lost.
The letters of Murgatroyd's devilish
influence were things from which
could not free myself. l did not I'M
derstand his power then and l do not
understand it now-but it was an in
vincible weapon and he used it merci-
lessly. For that monster 1 have re-
nounced everything hold dear in life
and see how l am repaid"
In the brief, lowering stiffness thai
followed there was not one but looked
upon McCloud in pity and upon Muir.
.. gatroyd with horror and loathing.
49," said Payton, softly, "you came
to Sandy Bar, met Murgatroyd in tina
private room, heard him read the not'
from Darrell and was asked to hell
him commit murder!"
:, mot asked" returned McCloud
hoarsay, commanded! Perhaps
should have obeyed him but for wha
happened. Murgatroyd stood at tn
office window, looking down into tn
81 street. He saw Darrell walking slowl
TN the direction of Hawkbills. Spin
), ring around, Murgatroyd said to me:
"'There is my man now; he is &c
ing to Hawllbill's, but he shall neye
reach there alive. will spring on
into his path suddenly, from betwee
the buildings. When leave you TAX
that revolver on the desk, McClout
step to this window and shoot fro1
sit in case need you. barrels bac
/. Will be toward you and it will be a
> easy shot
Then Murgatroyd hurried away.
pie, ed up the revolver from the DIES
;. and stepped to the window as directed
/ coula see Darrell plainly and recos
urzed him as man l had met Garlic
in the day at the Half Way house, c
the trail from Anaconda.
.While stood watching for
: leaped from the buildings and col
!. fronted Darrell. | could not make OF
y. the form distinctly, owing to Il
shadow of the buildings, but revolv
- cleaned in the mans hand. l cou
not kill Darrell. but the thought stru'
me that l could kill Murgatroyd al
y. sweep the incarnate devil forever fro
!, my path. i sighted the gun careful
and fired. My God, gentlemen! VIII
-, found out later that Darrell had be-
% Imprisoned. accused of the murder
Sturgis-when learned that I h
! slain the wrong man with such ter
. Bile consequences to another, the ear
=. slipped away beneath me and thoue
-. should die! thought"
ia The words trembled on his lips a
~, faded away to silence. With "
~ tossing of the arms McCloud stood ,
ne reeling, his eyes gazing on po
above Payton's head.
on "ThasS . us. Accleua. ard J