The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-08-27

nave heard that an innocent man al
ways has his weapons about him. |
don't believe it. At all events, it was
not so in my case. So obtuse and con-
fused was at this entirely new phase of
matters that it took q minute and twenty
seconds before the real import of her
words reached my consciousness. / am
quite positive of that fact for mechanic
ally / was following with my eye the
hands of the clock in the corner. Then
it dawned on me by degrees, and Mary,
after while, told me pitiful story.
My wife, my one crown of glory, my
idOlized Mary, had been subjected to the
most cruel ofall tOrtures-that of hear
ing her husbands words and actions
misrepresented, stories manufactured,
lies cunningly invented.
Ino longer wondered that my poor
wife felt dread and adherence for the
creature, which no language could ex-
press, or even feared for her life in the
presence ofsuch viper.
The strangest thing to me was, then
in truth, always will be-that Mary did
not tell me of these things; but foolish
fear of being thought jealous, and some
thing also of pride and the sensitiveness
other nature, sealed her lips.
In my anger | suppose / rather over
stepped the bounds of prudence in my
next interview with the fascinating Miss
Campsted, as some of my friends called
her. | had grand opportunity of wit
Messing the uncontrolled fury of VIC
man whose vilepess had been prema-
turely unmasked.
Never, even upon the stage, have
seen such perfect piece of acting.
Trouble never comes singly, they say.
L had given Miss Campsted warming
when person whom l had reason to
believe was detective entered my
house. In an instant Miss Campsted
grew pale and quiet, and begged me to
allow her to see the gentleman alone.
OF course | consented. keeping strict
guard, however, outside the door.
For some time the conversation went
on in low tone; then, gradually, Miss
Campsted's voice changed to entreaty.
Sobs followed and bitter weeping.
Suddenly in came Fred Campsted,
whistling softly an air from one of the
operas.
Seeing me in the hall, apparently on
guard, he started, slowly hung up his
hat, took it down again, asked for his
sister, and seemed very much surprised
when 1 told him she had company.
you had better go in,' said; " for
fear she is in trouble.
"Oh, hang it," was his rough re-
sponse, "she's always in trouble. /
have an errand down town, and must be
eXcused.n
He turned, and there, facing him,
standing on the doorstep, was another
detective. How long had they been
watching my houseP
The man looked like tiger. He gave
one bound, but in that moment two Off
GERS were upon him; then be seized his
pistol, which was sn6gly concealed, and
fired.
One of the men was wounded; but the
other secured the prisoner and brought
him, bound and raving horribly. into
the house.
"Do you know, sir?" asked one of the
detectives, alterward, that this house
has been rendezvous for thieves dur
ing the past six monthsP"
How should |, absent all day? How
was to be made aware that our cook
had been bought from time to time with
heavy brides to allow the ingress of
packages of great valuep
How did l know that Miss Campsted
brought three immense Saratoga trunks
with her, protesting that they had been
left in her chargeP
After that we examined those same
trunks, wherein property was found
concealed to the amount of forty or fifty
Thousand dollars-silks, velvets, dia-
monds and jewels.
One of these packages-a very small
one-I looked upon with great distrust.
! Itwas taken with the other things to
the station-h house, and found to be n
machine calculated to destroy both life
and property, for it was filed with eX-
plosive materials. and opened by igno-
rance or chance, life would most GER
tainly have been the forfeit.
To this day look with disrust upon
such advertisements as the one that
heads this story; and though that was
probably the single exception in a thou
sand, no earthly power could induce me
to repeat the experience.
And if, after long search after some
article not to be found, we conclude to
give it up, we place it to the account of
the fascinating Miss Campsted.