The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-07-19

The MAN THEN CEASED 10 BREATHE.
top of the house in small hall bed
room Mr.. Clarendon found Van Hous-
ton stretched on a pallet in the corner,
weak, gasping, dying.
The lawyers quick eye caught
glimpse of the black iron box under the
bed
The sick man smiled sarcastically.
We'll l guess I'm done for" he
whispered. THE folks can take-a little
-comfort-now."
Clarendon took his hand. My dear
friend he said sadly. ANY parting
messages to your family"
Peter had to struggle for strength to
say, mo fortune"
The startled lawyer lowered his head
to catch the whispered words.
"A heme-fOr-revenge." The man
then ceased to breathe.
With something cold clutching at his
heart, Mr. Clarendon hastily lifted out
the black box and raised the lid. He
| discovered some soiled collars, few
wOrnOut neckties and a new pair of
shoes. In the small bare room there
was nothing else that could hold or
conceal anything. The lawyer, stun
ned and dazed, walked down the stair
case and out of the house without a
backward glance.
Outside the fall day had grown gray
err. The wind had risen, raw and
bleak Mr.. Clarendon felt cold and
proceeded on his way shiveringly.
The news of the death of Mr.. Van
Houston had preceded him, so later
when he presented himself at the resi-
| dence Of the deceased mans family he
found them all assembled in the draw
ing room. Lurking under looks of de-
corous mournfulness, the lawyer could
detect expressions on their counte-
nances Of relief and eXultant joy. Mr..
Clarendon had put off the telling of
these unpleasant tidings as long as he
could, and now that the disagreeable
duty was fully upon him he hardly
| knew how to proceed.
Il am the bearer of very, very bad
news" he began solemnly.
Mr.. Odell approached him.
"Of course, Clarendon, you imme-
diately secured possession of the black
iron box? And you have the will?"
Il am not good at breaking bad news
gently, lawyer paced up and
down the rooms nervously-''or pro-
longing suspense The truth is that
! did not secure the black iron box be-
cause it contained nothing but trash,
and the will is not worth the paper
upon which it is written. Your broth
er, Mrs. Odell, died absolutely penni-
| less
They turned blanched, startled faces
toward him, and no one spoke. Then
! their son Hubert broke the silence with
a sharp laugh.
"A cool hand by thunder. Fooled
the lot Of us, including the lawyer
THE devilw exclaimed Marmaduke
Odell, fairly shaking from shock and
chagrin. at can't be true! Why, man."
! approaching Mr. Clarendon desperate
ly, think of my cigars and the money
l loaned him! Am l to have nothing in
return
1T is all terrible, Of course" Mr.
| Clarendon aSSented gravely. And
what adds to the misfortune Is that
you, being the next of kin, will have to
defray the expenses Of burial"
Mr. Odell shook his head and groaned
aloud.
eve have been deceived, tricked and
cheatedr' his wife shrieked 81 shall
go mad thinking of Il! Such fools as
we have been" She wrung her hands
in an agony of suffering.
Equally distressed, Mrs Van Hous-
ton rose from her chair and, throwing
out her arm tragically, exclaimed in
angry tones, Peter Van Houston was
always ne'er-do-well, a black sheep,
a disgrace! And he died onew
And while his family alternately
stormed, ragged and wept, the dead
man lay rigid on his pallet In his little
room, smile Of peaceful satisfaction
adjoining his white, set features.