The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1883-01-03

a Wolm 0llHA was uOb uuplOdodub,
for / was almost too cold to speak.
"Just walk up stairs. My sister,
who lives with me, occupies the low
er rooms; but she has gone out to
spend the evening with friends; it
will be my turn Tomorrow. / only
lowered the gas in my room. You
can see the light, and there ought to.
be good fire. l rested it before
coming out, as only meant to be
short time away, when l took that
stupid turn"
We were now in the room. Turn
ing the gas on full, she seized the
poker and broke the cob of coal with
which she had rested the fire, invit~
ing me to he seated until she would
make me drink of mulled porter"
that was the drink for such night.
So she talked on, not giving me the
chance of saying word.
Opening cupboard she searched
a few minutes, then exclaimed
=" Dear me l thought ! had a bottle
of porter in the house, but l haven't.
Never mind; I'll just run to the Gin
Palace at the corner and get one"
To this strongly objected, but to
no use; all 1 said was overruled, and
with the qulckness that had marked
her movements since entering the
house, she took up basket and lett
the room, closing the door afterher. I
was annoyed at hel going and vexed
with myself for entering the house;
but sailor like, it went against the
grain to say "no" to woman.
sat over the fire for some time.
AT last got impatient for her re-
turn. She had been gone long
enough to be twice at the Gin Pal
ace. So | got up with the intention
of leaving before her return. / took
hold of the door handle, turned and
pulled, but it would not open. l
stopped down to examine the lock,
when, to my surprise, l found was
locked in. For second l stood and
thought-why is the door locked? l /
looked around the room; everything
was neat and orderly. In one cor
ner stood bed with pretty new
chintz curtains drawn close together.
I cannot explain the impulse that
:msuc me WallA straight 70 g'haerhsd,
but | did So Drawlngthe curtains
apart, Oh, horrors! shall / ever for
get the sight? There lay a man as
tall and stout as myselt-dead, stone
dead-with CHASTITY cut in his
throat, from which the blood had
flowed on TO the blanket packed
round him to prevent its flowing on
to the floor. Terrible thoughts pass.
ed through my mind the few seconds
/ looked on that face, and plain as if
il had been told me l saw the wo>
mans plot / had been decoyed 70
the house on purpose to have this
horrible crime fastened on to me. A
strange calmness came over me. l
walked quietly across the room from
the bed to the window, opened it
and looked out; the back yard was
beneath. Getting out l lowered my
self until swung, holding to the
stone window ledge with my fingers.
The drop was nothing TO me, l being
very tall. / was soon over the yard
wall, speeding up the back entry,
which l knew must lead out into the
main road. The binding snow vas
still falling, but | was conscious of
nothing but a wild desire to reach
my ship. which l did at last.
Telling the captain my story, /
fin shed up by asking him to came !
ashore with me, so that ! could ia> !
form the Police authorities.
Friend" he responded, " the 20 |
lice know OF the crime by this time.
The woman doubtless went for them
when she pretended to so for the
porter. A righteous Providence has
made her the instrument OF bringing
Justice on her own and accompllce's
track sooner than she anticipated.
Thank God, you have escaped from
so foul snare. You shall take
a stiff tumbler OF toddy, turn into
your bunk and get to sleep; nothing
better than sleep for quieting the
l acted on his advice. He would |
never tell me whether anything
than whisky was in that
teddy, but it was noon the following |
day when awoke. On going on
deck / found we were at sea, with a
clear sky and % bright winter SUN
The water sparkle, and better
still, fair wind sending the ship |
through the water in fine style. 0,
how thankful / telt Tor my wondeitui
escape, as | thought with shudder