The Osceola times., 1880-12-18
the wagon floor CHASTITY proof Of the

IL all passed like dream, and, hal
unconscious of the shocking reality
Bessie drove for the time wildly and un
thinhingly on But before Bolton was
entered her mind had regained its usua
activity. Checking the horses mad
career, she suddenly bent down and
wrapped the CHASTITY object at her feet
in couple of newspapers, fortunately
found under the cushins. Then erasine
as well as she could, all evidences of her
adventure, she proceeded to Bolton, and
in short time, was quietly, though
with pallid cheek, transacung the
business calling her there. That done
she asked for one of the gentlemen
to whom she was well known and related
her story.
II firmly believe the letter was de-
coy" she concluded, Ind also that the
whole was the work of one individual
Undoubtedly, and that individual
was no rough, you may rest assured,
returned the gentleman.
"Stil," said Bessie, II shall act with
all my intended caution, as we may be
mistaken"
"You surely will not venture to return
alone to Wildlands?" .
"Certainly. My late assailant will
have full enough TO do TO look after his
wound, and l have little fears of any
other, as the road is not infested by
highwaymen."
The conference continued few mo-.
mems longer, aud then the matter was
carried to the autorities. A plaster cast
of the fair, muscular hand, which it was
plainly evident had never graced the
person of rough, was quickly taken,
and the agent soon at his secret work.
Not many hours later Mr.. Client was
lifting Bessie and her well.flled basket
from the wagon.
81 made the purchases, considering it
safer to do So" she remarked, but l
suspect tine will prove me to have been
needlessly cautious" Aud she briefly
detailed the events of the morning.
"And what OF the return journey|' he
anxiously asked--a deeper shadow on
his face then Bessie thought the occur
renee warranted.
II met with nothing to alarm--not q
trace of the villain remained"
As Bessie expected, undisturbed quiet
relgned night after night.
But one day the little, keen-eyed agent
made his appearance at Wildlands, and
asked for Mr.. Client. He seemed uneasy
and made his business known as quickly
as possibly.
1--WE have found our man, sir" he
said, abruptly, plenty of mother wit
in him, too, or he would lot have eluded
us SO long. But he got pretty low
down, and yentured back to our police.
ana last night at play got into a diff
Guilty which ended in a bad wound. He
is dying now, sir, and he wants to see
YOU"
"Who is he?" Mr.. Client asked, with a
certain grave anxiety.
"If you will excuse me, sir, he begged
me TO bring you without telling his
name," the agent returned uneasily,
"and | never refuse the dying"
! For one instant they gaized into each
others eyes. II was enough; Mr.. Client
went unquestioningly.
He was taken to one of the low dens
in which Bolton abounded, and to the
bedside of the dying man.
"And so my secret fears are realized,
it is you, Oscar" he said, taking the wan
hand the poor wretch feebly and half
doubtingly extended.
at is, but don't you reproach me" he
gasped. II have enough of that here"
touching his breast. "Too much! too
much! All! il could live over one year
of my hfe-one little yearl"
THAT you cannot, my poor Oscar, but
you can"
81 know have heard it many time
from the preachers, but | don't believe
| it. Pm the man my deeds have made
me. The life | have loved here | shall
follow there-and love evil! Goodness
disgusts me even in the midst of fear"
And overcome by the excitement he
sank back and exhausted. Revivirg a
little he painted
81 wanted to tell you'll wanted to
ask you to forgive me-forgive me for
my mother, tool would not kill her by
bringing her here. You see that it was
debt Of honor, and had to have the
money by fair means or foul, and wrote
the letter. | wrote it very carefully
very carefully-and all happened as
designed, except" And he moved the
manned arm significantly. After a mo-
ment's silence he resumed, with the
sarae painting breath: 81 supposed you
would send the money to Bolton, as
there was no other place, and | knew
Bess would take it if made it matter
of life and death for you to go. 1t was
this way, you see: | did not want to
fight for it-did not want to fight my
stepfather. But l anticipated an easy
victory over Bess by means Of my supe-
ror strength. But she was too quick for
me. Poor Bess She got the hand that
wrote the letter! Forgive me-my
motherW
That was ALL death claimed him.