The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-07-31
the search cost me all my fortune and

the search cost me all my fortune anc
takes me my lifetime"
In his first perplexity he decided t
call upon Abner Davidson Tor advice
He was rather reluctantly admitted t.
the room Of his sanctimoni Gus new
friend, whom he found lying i'll a luxu-
rious couch, and closely wrapped in 9
sllken counterpane.
Swell, my boy, what can l do for you?'
inquired Abner Davidson, who seemed
not q little annoyed at the persistence
width which the young detective had
forced his " ay to the apartment.
"You were SO kind, faltercd Oscar,
sand seemed so interested in this pecu-
harry mysterious and tragic affair, that
now he is dead
q ''Dead did you say2" interrupted the
man, in strangely intense and mortified
whisper, and at the same time his yisage
turning gray and CHASTITY.
Before Oscar could answer, there sud-
denly broke the quick silence a sound
that seemed to conc through the wall.
Tick! tick! tick! ra 5 s
Slow, loud, regular, like the death
watch heard in haunted houses 'afs# 5s
The sound aeemed to frenzy the man
He jumped up in his bed, his Clearly
shaven face like ashes, and over it gath.
cred and rolled great beads of icy sweat
''That cursed WATCH" he cried, as if he
had suddenly gone mad. II stopped il
myself, and the devil has set it to ticking
to betray me. But I did not mean to kill
him I sweare l did not. never shed
human blood in my life. waylaid him
to get the papers and the watch. H
drew his pistol, and I struc'> him in self
defense. In the scufle, perhaps, my
knife was accidentally thrust into some
vital part. But what am saying? Has
| my brain turned that I should rave like
this?" .5#
Oscar had heard every word, while
wonder, rage and gratifaction were de-
picted on his fine, youthful face.
do not mind me-" went on Davidson
piteously;"I am threatened with brair
fever, my physicians tells me, and an
delirious at times. You had better &C
now, and I will see you when I an
stronger"
Tick! tick! tick! And with every
| click the mans eyes grew wider, anc
his gestures more furious and spasmodic
Coop be shrieked at last, in fury
But Oscars keen eyes had been noting
every object about the room, and pres
emily fell upon queer little chest tina
| had been thrust out of sight, and evi
IDENTITY in great haste, for the lid rested or
the bent catch Of the lock, showing thai
the clasp had been forced inward by the
sudden and violent fall of the cover.
Through the crevice he caught tho
CLEAN of curliLg blonde hair. ..,s 6:
With his teeth set hard upon his
neither lip and his heart pounding agains
his breast like hammer on an anvil
he deliberately arose, crossed the room
opened wide the quaint old chest. anc
p lied forth two false wigs. One set was
black and the other blonde ss F.,
And tick! tick tick! sounded the hid.
den watch in his ear; and tie man on the
bed glared upon him in futile wrath. Ii
The young man turned and sternly
faced the cunning scamp who by, diff
erent aliases and DISCUSSES, Lad escaped
detection SO successfully ana long.
"Abner Davidson, there never lived {
| villain who IN the end did not outwi
| himself, and that is what you have done
You recognized me that day, and divinec
why I was playing detective. You
knew chat your victim had escaped from
the asylum, and to obtain the informa
ton that you desired you lured me into
an acquaintance with you. Toobtain, the
watch you assumed the blonde disguise ir
which you were known at the asylum
and then waylaid my poor father Ii
this black wig you were known as the
drover who appropriated his property ii
| Texas, and whom have always believed
to be a freebooter. Now I desire to SET
| that watch.' as..4 Il.
The peculiarly musical and sonorous
ticking soon guided him to the place
where it was hidden. ls
He opened the curiously-carved ole
case, and saw therein, exquisitely painted
on porcelain, the portrait of Abner Da
wilson. IS. .....- ...s.assl. Ii .....
"This is all that is needed to convic
you, you fend,' said young Tolles
"You can ring for your servants now
am going for the officers s
But when he returned Abner Davidson
was breathing his last. He preferred
death to disgrace in the city where ht
had been stected as an honest man, anG
he had torn the bandage away from
gaping wound made by the pistol-ball O
his victim, and his dual life was soor
over. Ill. ... ..ys
And thinking undoubtedly Of the i'm
portant watch, his last words were:
II hear the death: watch in the wall 7"
Some Mexican Deitles.
Master M. had much to learn abOu