The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, October 06, 1905, Image 3

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R Brew i I Mill i SkISSs!SS? By GE0R H Comptny (f .)i CHAPTER XVII. REWSTEK was comparatively I?^ well and strong when he re turned to New ITork in March. * His Illness had Interfered extensively with his plan of campaign, and it was imperative that lie red on-1 ble his efforts, notwithstanding the manifest dlsnxn^. of his friends. Ills O first act was to call upon Grant & Ripley, from whom he hoped to learn what Rwcnreugen Jones thought of his methods. The lawyers had heard no complaint from Montana nnd advised blm to continue a* he had begun, assuring hint as far as they could that Jones would not provo unreasonable. An exchange of telegrams Just before j his operation had renewed Monty's ? - dread of his eccentric mentor: New York. Jan. G, 19?. Swearengen Jones. Butte, Mont.: Ifow about having my life Insured? Would It violate conditions? MONTGOMERY BREWSTER. To Montgomery Brewster, New York: Seems to me your life would become an asset In that case. Can you dispose of It before Sept. 23? JONES. To Swearengen Jones, Butte, Mont.: On the contrary, I think life will be a debt by that time. MONTGOMERY BREWSTER. To Montgomery Brewster. ?ew York: If you feel that wny about It, I advise you to tako out a $500 policy. JONES. To Swearengen Jones. Butto, Mont.: Do you think that amount would cover : funeral expenses? MONTGOMERY BREWSTER. To Montgomery Brewster, New York: You won't be caring about expenses If it Comes to that. JONES. The Invitations for the second ball had been out for sonic time, and the preparations were nearly complete when Brewster arrived upon the scene of festivity. It did not surprise him that several old time friends should hunt liliu up and protest vigorously against the course he was" pursuing, nor did it surprise him when he found that ills presence was not as essential to the success of some other affair as it hail once been. lie was not greeted as cordially as before, and he grliihy wondered how many of his friends would . "** stand true to Hi# mi ty made him turn more and more often to the unquestioned loyalty of I'eggy Gray, and her little library saw him more frequently than for months. ^ Much as he had dreaded the pretentions and resplendent ball. It was use ful to hlra lu one way at least. The "profit" side of his ledger account was enlarged, and In that there was room for secret satisfaction. The Viennese orchestra straggled into New \ork headed l?y Elon Gardner, n physical i wreck, In time to nwko ? finrmonious farewell oppoarnnce behind Brewster's | palms, which cause:! his guests to wonder why the American public could not appreciate the real thing. A careful summing up of the expenses and receipts proved that the tour had been a bonanza for Itrewster. The net loss was a trifle more than $r>tl,0<)0. \Vh<?n this story became known about town everybody laughed pityingly, and poor Gardner was almost In tears when he tried to explain the disaster to the man who lost the money. But Monty's sense of humor, singularly enough, did " not desert him on this trying occasion. Aesthetically the ball proved to be the talk of more than one season. Pet tlngill had justified his dflsiro for an thorlty and made a name whlVh wouh last. He had taken mnttiVs Into hi: own hands while Brewster was ii Florida and changed the period fron the Spain of Velasquez to France an< I.ouls Qulnze. After the cards wer out he remembered, to his eonsternn tlon. that the favors purchased fcrr tli Spanish hall would bo entirely inai proprlate for the French one. He wli cd Brewster at onee of this mlsfortun - - - ' nnd wflu astonished at mo of Ills reply. "But, then, Monty nlwnj wn? a good sort," he thought, with . glow of affection. The new plan wf more costly than the old, for It was i simple matter to build a Versallb O stilt at Sherry's. rettlngill wns no Imitator, hut ] created un effect which was superb In keeping with the period he hi chosen. Against it tho rich costuun with their accompaniment of wigs ai powdered hnlr, shone out respleiidei With great dltficulty the artist had i cured for Monty a costume In wh satin and gold brocade which in If once have adorned the person of Loi himself. It made him feel like a pop jay, nnd It was with Infinite rel that be took It off an hour or so uf dawn, lie knew that things had g( well, that even Mrs. Dan was sa tied, hut the whole affair made 1 . heartsick. Behind the coinpllnie nviahmi noon him he detected a n of irony which revealed tho Inugl Hint wont on behind his bnck. lie I not realized how much it would li "For 2 cents," he thought, "I'd ( jf up the game and be satisfied v what's left" But he reflected 1 such a course would offer no chn to redeem himself. Once again lie t up the challenge and determined win out "Then," he thought exult ly, "I'll make them feel this a bit. lie longed for the time when could take his few friends with and sail away to tho Mcdlterrai to escape the eyes and tongues of \ L * ster's ions i GE BARR MCUTCHEON tlCHARD GREAVES) . VI York. Impatiently ho urged Harrison to complete the arrangements so that they ooulil start nt ouce. Hut Harrison's face was not untroubled when he made his report. All the preliminary details had heou perfected. He had taken the Flitter for four months, and it was being overhauled una put lnio condition tor tno voyage. It hnil been Brown's special pride, but at bis death It went to heirs who wore ready and eager to rent It to the highest bidder. It would not have been easy to (lnd a handsomer yacht In New York waters. A picked crew of fifty men were under command of Captain Abner Perry. The steward was a famous manager and could be relied upon to stock the larder In princely fashion. The boat would be 'n readiness to sail by the 10th of April. "I think you are going In too heavily, Monty, proteslpd Harrison, twisting his lingers nervously. "I can't for my life figure how you can get out for less than a fortune If we do everything you have In mind. Wouldn't It bo better to pull up a bit? This looks like sheer madness. You won't have a dollar, Monty?honestly you won't." "It's not In mo to save money, Nopper, but If you can pull out a few dollars for yourself I shall not object." "You told me that once before, Monty," said Harrison as he walked to tlio window. When he resolutely turned back again to Brewster his'face was whit**, but there was a look of determination around the mouth. "Monty, I've got to give iTf> this Job," he said huskily. Brewster looked up quickly. "What do you mean, Nopper?" "I've got to leave, that's all," said Harrison, standing stiff and strnight and looking over Brewster's head. "Good Lord, Nopper, I cau't have that. You must not desert the ship. What's the matter, old chap? You're us white as a ghost. What Is it?" Mou ty was standing now, and his hands were on Harrison's shoulders, but hefore the intensity of his look bit: friend's eyes fell helplessly. or ifoViV the reason I?I can't stay on. I have betrayed your confldeuce." "Tell me about it," uiml Monty was perhaps more uncomfortable than his friend. "1 don't understand." "You believed too much in me, Monty. Y on see, 1 thought I was doing ^ou a favor. You were spending so much and getting nothing in return, and I thought I saw a chance to help you out. It went wrong, that's all, and before I could let go of the stock $00,(XX) of yom i e " ' ). It made him feel like a poplujay. r- money bad gone. I can't replace 10 *yet. Rut Clod knows I didn't mean 'O steal." rs "It's all right, Nopper. I see that y n thought you were helping me. '1 is money'8 gone, ami that ends it. Do to take It so hard, old boy." es "I knew you'd act this way, but doesn't help matters. Some day I n lie be able to pay back tho money I to ly and I'm going to work until I do." [id Brewster protested that he had ?s, use for the money nud begged him nd retain the posltlou of trust he had hi at. But Harrison had too much self se- spect to care to be confronted di ite with the muu be bnd wronged, tlrn flit ally Monty realised that Nopper 1 uls pursuing the most manly course o in- to him nnd gave up the effort to lef suadc him. He insisted upon leai tor New York, as there was no oppo >ue nlty to redeem liimRelf In the inetr Hh- Us. dm "I've made up my mind, Monty, t n*8 out west?up In the mountains, perl) ?te There's no telling, I may stuinbh iter n B,,|,i mine up there?nnd?well, lid seems to be the only chance I hav urt. restore what I have taken from yo' Clve "By Jove, Nopper, I have It!" < ^ T?11 rlt" Monty. "If you musi go, t n m...... that iu the hunt for gold." l,,ce In the end Hopper consented to ??k low Brewster's advice, and It L *? agreed that they should share eqi ant" all that resulted from his prospe tour. Brewster "grub staked" liln a year, and before the end of the a new tenderfoot was on his wt lean tjie itocity mountains. New 0 ?????L 4??? CHAPTER XVIII. HARR ISON'S departure left Brewster la sore straits. It forced him to settle down to the actual management of hiR own affairs. He was not ludolent, but this was not the kind of work he cared to encourage. The private accounts he had kept revealed some appalling facts when he went over them carefully ono morning nt 4 o'clock after an all night session with the ledger. With infinite pains he had managed to rise to something over $4r*),00O In six months. But to his orlsrllllll minion It Inwl l>#on line. essary to add $58,550 which ho had realized from Lumber and Fuel and some of his other "unfortunate"' operations. At least $40,0(X) would come to liim ultimately through the sale of furniture and other belongings, and then there would be something like $20,0<X> Interest to consider. But luck had aided him In getting rid of his money. The bank failure had cost liim $113,408.2."), and Nopper Harrison had helped liim to the extent of $00,000. The reckless but determined effort to give a ball had cost $30,000. What he had lost during his illness had been pretty well offset by the uulueky concert tour. The Florida trip, including medical attention, the cottage and living expenses, had entailed the expenditure of $18,500, and his princely dinners and theater parties had footed up $31,000. Taking all tho facts into consideration, he felt that he had done rather well as far as he had gone, but the hardest part of the undertaking was yet to come. He was still in possession of an enormous sum which must disappear before Sept. 23. About $40,000 had already been expended In the yachting project. He determined to begin at once a systematic campaigu of extinction. It had been his Intention before sailing to dispose of many household articles either by sale or gift. As he did not expect to return to New York before the latter part of August this would minimlV.e the struggles of the last month. But the prospective "profit" to be acquired from keeping his apartment open was not to be overlooked. lie could easily count upon a generous sum for salaries and running expenses. Once on the other side of the Atlantic he hoped that new opportunities for extravagance would present themselves, and he fancied he could leave the final settlement of his affairs for the last mouth. As the day for sailing approached the world again seemed bright to this most mercenary of spendthrifts. A farewell consultation with his attorneys proved encouraging, for to them his chances to win the extraordinary contest seeuied of the best. He was iu high spirits as he left them, exhilarated by the sensation that the world lay before him. In the elevav7u uutu oium utc uircuii^ wu3 not without its difficulties. The colonel had been dazed by the Inexplicable Situation between Monty and his daughter, whose involutions lie found hard to understand. Iier summary of the effort she had made to effect a reconciliation after liearlug the story of the bault was rather vague. She had done her utmost, she said, to be nice to him aud make him feel that she appreciated his generosity, but he took it in the most disagreeable fashIon. Colonel Drew knew that things were somehow wrong, but he was too strougly an American father to interfere in a matter of the affections. It distressed him, for he had a liking for Monty, and Barbara's "society Judgments," as he ealfcd them, hail no weight with him. When he found himself confronted with Brewster in the elevator the old warmth revived and the old hope that the quarrel might have an end. Ilis greeting was cheery. "You have not forgotten, Brewster," he said as they shook hands, "that you have a dollar or two with us?" "No," said Monty: "not exactly. And j I shall be calling upon you for some ol it very soon. I'm off 011 Thursday foi J n era Ira in the Mediterranean." "I've lien I'd something of it." Tliej had reached the nialp tioqr, and Colone Drew had dra\vq his companion on of the crowd into tlio rotunda. "Tlx money is at your disposal at any mci ment. But aren't you setting a prett lively pace, my l>oy? You know 1'v J always liked you, and I knew you grandfather rather well. He was good old chap, Monty, and lie woul It linto to see you make ducks an to drakes of his fortune." There was something In the colonel ou manner that softened Brewster, muc lie as he hated to take a reproof from Ba n't horn's father. Once again lie ws tempted to tell the truth, but he pulh it himself up in time. "It's a funny o lay world, colonel," he said, "and som ok, times one's nearest friend is a Strang* I know I seem a fool; but, after a no why Isn't It good philosophy to nia! i to the most of a holiday and then setl eld. hack to work?" re- "That Is all very well, Monty"?a illy Colonel Drew was entirely serlou; idu- "but the work Is a hundred tlines hai was er after you have played to the Hn pen You'll find that you are way beyond dls- It's no Joke getting back Into the h lug ness." rtu- "Perhaps you are right, colonel, 1 opo- ?t least I shall liavo something to It back upon even If the worst conic o go And Monty Instinctively stralghtei nps. his shoulders. } ou They turned to leave the Imlldi that and the colonel had n moment of we e to uess. "Do you know, Monty," he said, " :rled daughter Is awfully cut up about 1 you business. She Is plucky and tries to show It, but, after all, a girl doe ' fob get over that sort of thing all In a was ment. I am not saying"?it seemed i ually essnry to recede a step?"that It wc cting be an easy matter to patch up. B' a for Hke you, Monty, and If any man e< week do It you can." ?y to "Colonel, I wish I might." And Bi ster found that he did not heslt ."ifOf your fake I vory much wkik situation wore as simple as It seems But there are some things a man can't forget, and?well, Barbara has shown In a dozen ways that she has no faith in me." "Well, I've got faith In you, and a lot of it. Take care of yoxirself, nml when you get hack you can count on inc. Goodby," On Thursday morning the- Flitter s ton mod off down the bay, and the tlight of the prodigal grandson was on. No* swifter, cleaner, handsomer boat ever sailed out of the harbor of New York, and it was a iuerry crowd that she carried out to sea. Brewster's guests numbered twenty-five, and t'.iey brought with them u liberal supply of maids, valets and luggage. It was not until many weeks later that he read the vivid descriptions of the weighing of the anchor which were printed in nit? new iorK papers, but by that time he was impervious to their ridicule. Ou deck, watching tlio rugged silhouette of the city disappear Into the mists, were Dan DeMille and Mrs. Dan, Peggy Gray, ltlp Van Winkle. Reginald Vnnderpool, Joe Ilragdon, | Dr. vt.otless and his sister Isabel, Mr. I and Mrs. Valentine?tb.? official eliap- 1 eron?and their daughter Mary, Sub- j wny Smith, Paul Pettingill and some j others hardly less distinguished. As i Monty looked over the eager crowd he | recognized with a peculiar glow that ' here were represented his best and truest friendships. The loyalty of these companions had been tested, and he knew that they would stand by him ' through everything. There was no little surprise when it was learned that Dan DeMille was ! really to sail. Many of the idle voy- j ngers ventured the opinion that he would try to desert the boat in midocean If he saw a chance to get back to his club on a westbound steamer. But DeMille, big, indolent and indifferent, smiled carelessly and hoped he wouldn't bother anybody If he "stuck to the ship" until the end. For a time the sea and the sky and | the talk of the crowd were enough for ! the Joy of living. But after a few ' peaceful days there was a lull, and it j was then that Monty gained the nick- J name of Aladdin, which clung to him. j From somewhere, from the hold or the > rigging or from under the sen, he ! brought forth four darkies from the J soutlf'wlio strummed banjos and sang ragtime melodies. More than once during the voyage they Vere useful. "Peggy," said Brewster one day when the sky was particularly clear and things were quiet on deck, "on the whole I prefer this to crossing the North river on a ferry. I rather like it, don't you?" 'lit seems like a dream," she cried, her eyes bright, her hair blowing in the -V1 ? -vou know \vhat I - Four darkies who strummed banjos and 8?jig ragtime vt clod U scabjn? A lot of books tbat you like? r some from tbo ol<l garret. I've savoil I tUo?u to road ou rainy days." t Peggy did not speak, but the blood l' began to creep iuto her face, and she ?- looked wistfully across tbe water. y Then she smiled. e "1 didn't know you could save any r thing," she said weakly, a "Con? now, Peggy; that Is too much.' d "1 didn't mean to hurt you. Rut yo? d must not forget, Monty, that then are other years to follow this one 's Do you know what I mean?" h "Peggy, dear, please don't lector r- me," lie begged so plteonsly that sh is could not be serious. >d "The class Is dismissed for todai i-i ? '"> oniii niriiv "Rut the nr< ?? , nuv. nn.,. . e fessor knows his duty and won't h 'r. you off so easily next tluie." 11, ko CHAPTER XIX. W T Gibraltar Monty was hand< /\ an oiuinous looking calil ll( J 1 grain, which he opened trei * * bllnHy; lf To Montgomery Brewster, Private Yac ' Flitter, Gibraltar: It. There Is an agitation to declare for fr ar- silver. You may havo twice as much spend, llooray! JONES >ut To which Monty responded: >ok Defeat the measure at any cost. T ,a i. more the merrier and chargo 11 to mc BRHWSTEF 10(' P. S? Pleaso send many cables a mark them collect. "Kt The Hivlera season was fast closli and the possibilities suggested Monto Cnrlo were too alluring to my host to admit of a long stop at this braltar. Hut the DeMilles had let? not to one of the officers of the I sn't an<l Brewster oonld not ovoic ag: mo- opportunity to give an olaldlllcnt nee- ner. The success of thvcrc tram )ul<l best l?e judged hy *Jji1h. ut 1 Flitters 1nr?lcr rcfjon ()f t)ic (*<? luhl new stock the Company lhc am! '!!dl7 of.fern out against Hill tall". lntlro?rlgl^P1<5tiwn of the hcarif the w It-lies ifnd over appear at 1 States Court which met nvilic tjns month, j I j HAIR s ; DENT 5 Crown, Bridjework and ? Office over Mutual Dry ( ?K DR. J. M. WALLACE. 1 WALLACE & "Ttl^TVTfn Crown and Bridge Work vu2 A Specialty. Phone 1: fered. "It might cement the Anglo-American alliance," argued Gardner, "lmt your pooketbook j.eeds cenieuting a bit more." Yet the pockethook was very wide open, and Gardner's only consolation lay in a tall English girl whom he took out to dinner. For the others therewere many compensations, as the affair was brilliant and the new element a pleasant relief from the Inevitable I monotony. The Flitter saw some rough weather in making the trip across the bay of Lyons. She was heading for Nice when an incident occurred that created the lirst real excitement experienced on the voyage. A group of passengers in the main saloon was discussing more or less stealthily Monty's "misdemeanors" when Reggy Vniulerpool sauntered lazily in. his face displaying the only sign of Interest It had shown in days. "Funny predicament I was just in," he drawled. "I want to ask what a fellow should have done under the circumstances." "I'd have refused the girl," observed Ilip Van "Winkle laconically. "Girl had nothing to do with it, old chap," went on Reggy, dropping into ? rumr. reuow reu overnoard a little while ago," he went on calmly. There was a chorus of cries, nn\l Brewster was forgotten for a time. "One of the sailors, you know. Ho was doing something in the rigging near where I was standing. Puff, oft he went into the sea, niul there he was puttering around in the water." "Oh, the poor fellow!" cried Miss Valentine. "I'd never set eyes on him beforeperfect stranger. I wouldn't have hesitated a minute, hut the deck was crowded with a lot of his friends. One chap was his bunktc. So, really now, it wasn't my place to jump in after him. lie could swim a bit. niul I ycll10 ik, nn(l tm tell the was asleep. In the end 1 tow \VL" mate. By this time we were a mile away from the place where he went overboard, and I told the mate I didn't think we could find him if wo went back. But he lowered some boats, and they put back fast. Afterward I . got to thinking about the matter. Of ' course if I had known him?if be had been one of you?it would have been different." "And you were the best swimmer in college, you miserable rat!" exploded j I)r. I.otless. There was a wild rush for the upper deck, and Vanderpool was not the hero of the hour. The Flitter had turned and was steaming back over her course. Two small boats were racing to the place where Peggy's uuUuowu had gone over. "Where is Brewster?" shouted Joe Bragdon. "I can't find hlui, sir," answered the first mate. "He ought to know of this," cried Mr. Valentine. "There! They nro picking somebody up over yonder," exclaimed the mate. "See! That lirst boat has laid to ami they are dragging. Yes, sir. ' i he's saved!" A cheer went up on board and the uien In the small boats waved then caps in response. Everybody rushed to the rail as the Flitter drew up tc the boats, and there was intense ex 1 citeinent on board. A gasp of amaze 5 meat went up from every one. Monty Brewster, drenched, bu smiling, sat in one of the boats, am ? I leaning limply against him, his hem e on his chest, was the sailor who Inn fallen overboard. Brewster had see the man in the water and, instead c wondering what his antecedents wen leaped^to his assistance. When th boat reached him his unconscious bu den was a dead weight and his ow strength was almost gone. Auothi ?<1 minute or two and both would inn o- gone to the bottom, n- I As they hauled Monty over the sh I he shivered for an instant, grasped tl ht first little hand that sought his | frantically and then turned to lo< upon the half dead sailor, to "Find out that boy's name, A I Abertz, und see that he has tJ> <? I 1 of care. Just before lie.rd Baker' h0 , there he murmured Kail road Prob , his mother. lI?,ation wiI, b , Lnd himself ever * | Bragdon' neet8ng. you h? by Inc A DRAMA O? EVERYDAY LIKE. q?,h ^,rs Mary Stewart Cutting, p*re- author of "Little Stoics of C to I Hi ship." a recently published collei ainst of her McOlure romances of eubu pnr- life, has In the October nui imit- another of her sympathetic tab the simple home. "The Hinge lum- R,tjge'g viewpoint of a littl j 1 mestic drama in which the neigl ^ jit> | hood tragedy of a neglected wi 1 straightened out in the light c its in ' happenings which help husbune wife, as well an the neighbors, C?B9a*B?ICX0=92*C9792?I*BV b HAIR, | ISTS. S Regulating a Specialty. " jloods Co., Union, S. C. " DR. H. L. FELLERS. . FELLERS, 1 ISTS. Hf Offices: Rooms 1 and 2 VA 17. Nicholson Building. Monty engaged for his party the entire lirst tloor of the house, with balconies overlooking the blue Meillter rauoau ami a separate dining room and salon. Extra servants were summoned, and tlie Brewster livery was soon a familiar sight about the village. The protests of IVggy and the others were only silenced when Monty threatened to rent a villa and go to housekeeping. The town quickly took on the appearance of entertaining a royal visitor, and a number of shops were kept open longer than usual in the hope that their owners might catch some of the American** money. One morning Philippe, the hotel proprietor, was trying to impress Brewster with a gestlculatory description of the glories of the bataille tie Hours. It seemed quite impossible to express the extent of Ills regret that the party had not arrived in time to see it. "This is quite another place at that time," lie said ecstatically. "It is magnificent: It is superb! If monsieur had only seen it!" "Why not have another all to ourselves'?" asked Monty. But the suggestion was not taken seriously. Nevertheless the young American and his host were in secret session for the rest of the morning, and when the result was announced at luncheon there was general consternation. It appeared that ten days later occurred the fete day of some minor saint who had not for years been accorded the honor Uronty turned to loo 1; upon the half dead sailor. of a celebration. Monty proposed to revive the custom by arranging a second carnival. "You might just as well not come to the Hlvlera at all," he explained, "if you can't see a carnival. It's a simple matter, really. I offer one prize for the best decorated carriage and another to the haudsomcst lady. Then every one puts on a domino and a mask, throws confetti at every one else, and there you are." "I suppose you will have the confetti made of thousand franc notes and offer a house and lot as a prize." And Itragdon feared that his sarcasm was. almost insulting. "Iteally, Monty, the scheme Is ridiculous," said DeMille. "The police won't allow it." ' "Won't they, though!" said Monty ex-. } ultlngly. "The chief happens to he l'hl-. llppe's hrolher-in-law, and we had him on the telephone, lie wouldn't listen, to the scheme until we agreed to make ^ him grand marshal of the parade. 11 Then he promised the eo-operauou in I the entire force and imped to interest II his colleague, the chief of the fire do" purtmcnt." "The parade will consist of two gen-. ' dnlines and tin* ltrewstcr party In car-. ! riagos," langlied Mrs. I>ati. "Po yon expect us to go before or after the ?r bakery carts?" ~e "We review the procession from the. hotel." said Monty. "You needn't ]e worry about the fete. It's going to be. 1MJ great. Why. an Irishman isn't fo jftf * KO Of marching than these poonbj ' " having a carnival.", i 1 . * . .' Tln\ ' - 11 011 ^',,s ,..li V.olV t'dnesdny morning alnnit !.,n?' ' () (,'0('k I'oliceinnn Euhanks ' . h saw Baker (Jist come out of Hnmp? n* ton's house, going to Gist ho search's'", ed him and found three full pints dore of corn whiskey, the real North Carolina white corn. Gist was then piaccci in j;iii and the whiskey confiscated. (list is in trouble in sev! oral eases of this kind, the! ^ ourt- verdict of Coroner's Jury. ction rban; pursuant to? adjournment the inber jury of inquest in tV1 ease of the is of State vs. the dead \ sly of L. M. i" is Trevitt reassembled at 2 o'clock e do- Wednesday afternoon. There I icing hbor- no more witnesses the jury rendered fe ja the following verdict: '"We find ^ t that the deceased L. M. Tnvitt ^ came to his death from fracture of an< the skull, cause unknown to the toa jury."