Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1875-02-11
oRANGEBURG, SOUTH. CAROLINA, THURSDAY FEDRUAR
more than once drove me to the verge
of committing myself through ignor-

more than once drove mo to the verge
of committing myself through ignor-
ance.
Bedtime came at last, and I haatenad
to my room, where Z threw off my dis
guise. and resumed my usual apparel
my purpose being to quit the house
when all was quiet, meet Pet at the ap-
pointed rendezvous, and convey her In
q carriage, engaged to be in waiting, to
the place at which the nuptial knotfWas
to be tied.
It is an unromantio fact TO speak Of in
this connection, but one which subse-
duent events make IL necessary To mem
tion, that the excitement I was laboring
under caused my nose to bleed freely.
I had barely succeeded in stanching
it, when q glance at my; watch appraised
me that ] had no time to spare.
I opened my room door softly, md
stepped into the halfway.
Hap exclaimed a voice. S
7 turned quickly and found myself
face to face with old De Bruin, who was
evidently surprised to see me coming
ont of what he supposed to be the
majors apartment. He didn't stop to
parley, however, but passed by, carry
ing his chamber lamp in his hand.
I had gone but few steps when Mr..
De Bruin rushed out, pale with alarm,
and shouting
Murder T. -
"Seizs him r. he cried, pointing me
out to those who came in answer TO his
call. He has made away with the
major, who is nowhere to be seen, and
the floor is covered with his blood II
The haste with which 1 was seeking
to beat retreat, aadod to tthe proofs
against me, and was caught and se-
CURED at once.
Next morning / was asraigned before
a local magistrate. Ihad but little to
say. Ofcourse, could enter into no
explanations without compromising Pet.
1 could only urge that the majors body
not having been found, there was no
sufficient evidence of his murder The
non.appearance Of the corpse. however,
in the estimation of the magisterial
Dogberry, by augmenting the mystery,
Snly added to the horror of the crime.
Had Iaoca Am &, Tie
majors room at an unreasonable hour {?
Had I explained my sudden return,
after having taken final leave of the
place in the morningp Had I cleared
up the blood.stains on the carpet ?
None of these had attempted to do.
Above all, the major had been seen to
enter his room, I had been seen to come
out OF it, and he had been seen no
more. It was clear foul crime had
been committed, and who but I could
be the guilty one?
was fully committed to stand my
trial for willful murder, and was being
led away by an officer, when Mr.. De
Bruin, who had attended as witness,
as the crowd passed the railway. station
which was near at hand, gave sudden
start.
o1Coo luy Soul no eAClHlLuSus -s-s
How are your" said portly gen.
tleman, advancing to extend his hand.
The other drew back as he might
have done from ghost.
"Wh-.w what !--ain't you dead, ma ?"
Major Mudd, for the newcomer was
no other, warmly repelled the insinua,
ton. Old De Bruin was completely
mystified and it WAS not till the dis
guise had worn had been discovered,
and some other circumstances CAME to
light, that the truth began to dawn
upon him.
was discharged, OF course and, on
my way to take the next departing
train, saw Pet, on the majors arm,
promonading the veranda of the hotel
She made mouth at me over her
shoulder rs passed. No woman ever
forgives man for making her or HIM
self ridiculous. Pet would have mar
ried me and made me good wife, no
doubt, but for tho misadventures of
that night. AS it was, she married the
major, and I am still bachelor.
|
Reforming A Pug Nose