The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-02-28

top of the house In small hall bed
room Mr. Clarendon found Van Hous-
ton stretched on n pallet in the corner,
weak, gasplng, dying
The lawyers quick eye caught n
glimpse Of the black iron box under the
bed.
The sick man smiled sarcastically
We'll. | guess I'm done for" he
whispered. "'rhe folks can take-a little
--comfort-now."
Clarendon took his hand. my dear
friend" he said sadly. ANY parting
messages to your familyT'
Peter had to struggle for strength to
say, mo fortune"
The startled lawyer lowered his head
to catch the whispered words.
"A eme-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 solled collars, few
wornout neckties and Il 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 Il
backward glance.
outside the fall day had grown gray
er. The wind had risen, raw and
bleak. Mr.. Clarendon felt cold and
proceeded on his way shiverlngly.
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.
II am the bearer of very, very bad
news" he began solemnly.
Mr.. Odell approa him.
"Of course, Clarendon, you imme-
diately secured possession of the black
iron box? And you have the will?"
II am not good at breaking bad news
gently,"-the 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 1t 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
sharp laugh.
"A cool hand, by thunder! Fooled
the lot of us, including the lawyer!
THE devil" exclaimed MarmadukC
Odell, fairly shaking from shock and
chagrin. 1T 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 il
| return?"
ut is all terrible, of course" Mr.
Clarendon assented gravely. "AnC
| what adds to the misfortune Is tha
| you, being the next of kin, will have L
| defray the expenses of burial"
| Mr. Odell shook his head and groanet
| aloud.
1--WE have been deceived, tricked ant
cheated!' his wife shrieked. II shal
| go mad thinking of it! Such fools II,
we have beenr' 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 il
angry tones, "Peter Van Houston wa'
always a neer-do-well, n black sheep
n disgrace! And he died onev'
And while his family alternately
stormed, ragged and wept, the deaC
man lay rigid on his pallet In his lttl,
room, smile of peaceful satisfaction
| adoraing his white, set features