St. Landry democrat., 1879-07-26

and stood and watched him through
the kitchen window some minutes. He'd
changed good deal, got thin and yell
low, and had sort of hunted look in his
eyes, that settled his case for me then
and there. I never saw that look in an
innocent mans face.
The kitchen door stood open, and
walked in without any ceremony, and
going directly up to him laid my hand
on his shoulder.
How do you do, Mr.. Davis 2" said
l. You should have seen him. I've
had some experience with frightened
men, but [ can safely say with truth,
that never saw one 50 scared as he was,
| never in my life saw a face turn SO
white as his did. First he jumped up
and looked round as if he was going to
run, then he sat down again and set his
teeth hard. You see, he recognized me,
and knew that was detective.
my name amt Davis" said he,
glowering at me with eyes like Goals.
II don't know you sir"
Your name is Davis, and I know YOU
if you don't know me-" answered in q
low voice. "Who do you suppose sent
me here after you ?"
His eyes almost jumped out of his
head, and his teeth would chatter in
spite of himself.
Rose Wynne sent me-" went on.
"you know what for.'
When I said that, the wretch fell on
his knees, and fairly howled for mercy,
"Pll Confess" he shrieked ; II killed
her, did. I'd sworn Sheldon shouldn't
have her, and l killed her to keep her
from marrying him. She said she'd
haunt me for it. She said she'd come
out OF her grave to hang me, and she has
kept her VOW"
I took him back to Evans Corners as
fast as We could travel, and lodged him
in the prison there.
The trial came off in due time. There
wasn't one atom of evidence that he did
the deed except his own confession to
me. lie hadn't opened his lips to any
one since; and when called upon to plead
"Guilty, Or not guilty." the william
answered Not guilty." after all.
AS he said the words there was a
slight stir among the crowd behind him.
He looked round, and something he saw
there turned his face chalky.
He gave sort of gasp, staggered upon
his feet, and fairly screamed out
"Guilty p and fell down in fit.
They carried him out writhing and
foaming at the mouth, and as they did
SO, woman dressed in black came for
ward and threw back her veil. It was
Rose Wynne alive, and standing before
us more beautiful than ever.
"He tried to kill me-" she said. "It
was not his fault that he did not succeed.
1had been engaged to marry M. Sheldon
a long time, but because my father was
opposed to him and favored Mr.. Davis,
we had kept the engagement a secret
from every one. I Rad gone out that
night, by appointment, to meet my
promised husband, and as I was crossing
on the railroad bridge ever the river,
Andrew Davis came from the other side
and met me. He told me il | did not
promise to marry him then and there
he'd throw me over the river into the
water. I was always afraid OF him: he
had such savage look in his eyes some
times, and l knew him to be terribly
jealous of Marx Sheldon. But would
not promise him anything o: the kind.
l could not believe be would really carry
out his threat, and I expected Marx
would come every minute.
When be took hold of ME, aud saw
he was IN earnest and really meant to
drown me, struggled with him, and
told him if he did harm me I'd have
him hung for it, if I had to come out of
my grave to do it. And [ also told him
was going to marry Mark Sheldon, and
that l had come out there to meet him.
For [ thought perhaps it would scare
him if he thought Mark was anywhere
around. But he suddenly snatched my
shawl off me and wound it round NV
head to keep my screams from being
heard, and the next moment he lifted
ne in his arms and threw me into the
liver. He did not know that 7 was an
expert swimmer, but before | could free
myself from the folds OF the shawl had
zone under the water twice. The second
lime l rose to the surface I swan toward
ne bank. but the current was 80 swift
would inevitably have been drowned
f Mark had not come just then in time
o save me. Davis had run away as fast !
IS he could, and he did not know that he
lad failed in killing me, after all. The
heck was dreadful one to me, and
ny fear of Andy Davis was so great that
begged Marx to hide me from him,
nd from every one, and let it be sup
'osed that I was dead. So then we
we're married, and went away from this
art OF the country for several months,
i'll we heard that Davis had gone away,
y hon VITO po4Y rnnl