Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-06-06


that some one was coming along the
narrow passage leading to the room.
Gathering all his strength, he got up
on his feet and grasped the pistols just
as man came into the room.
The man stopped short at sight of
Clifton and uttered an exclamation;
then taking in the true state of affairs,
he drew pistol and fired.
The ball whistled close to the car of
Clifton and lodged in the opposite wall.
He leveled his pistol and returned the
shot, but weak and excited as he was,
his shot missed as the others had done,
and ere he could fire again he felt
twinge in his right arm and it dropped
limp at his side. The man saw he had
wounded his antagonist and dropping
his pistol he sprang upon Clifton.
There was a sound of rushing feet,
pistol shot from behind, and the man,
letting Clifton 60, staggered back and
fell heavily to the floor. AS the new
conner went up to Clifton, Frye and
the policeman came upon the scene.
The detective turned to Norton, who
opened his eyes in wonder at sight of
him.
"Well," said Frye; "this is no time
for explanations; take up this precious
scundrel and carry him along. Cliff,
ton you must get out of here, can you
walk?
"Lend me your arm, think can"
The policeman took up Norton and
proceeded along the narrow passage
followed by Frye and Clifton.
With the greatest difficulty they got
through the aperture of the little APP
partment and out into the room above.
With white, white face and sup
pressed breathing May saw them bring
up Norton and lay him on the bed.
Then came Frye, who assisted Clifton
up and led him to the chair.
The two policeman had gone back
for the wounded man whom they had
left lying on the floor in the secret
room.
"Give me some water" said Cliff.
ton, as he sat leaning upon the table,
his brow contracted with suffering.
May turned and left the room iu quest
of the water and Frye followed her.
II am going for physician" he
said as he passed her on the stairs
"hurry back and stay with Clifton I'M
til / return"
She procured the water and going
back gave it to him. He drank il
without word and turning his heaC
looked at Norton. There was a trem
ulous movement of the murderer
eyes brows, convulsive movement O
the lips aud then the face settled init
repose. He was dead. The murderer
had gone to answer for his crimes at (
bar more just than an earthly one.
ut is as well" said Clifton.
yes" she said, lowly, sit is a
WELL" Then she turned away ant
looked no more at the man who haC
, murdered her brother. Presently sh
approached Clifton.
"Are you wounded?" she said gently
looked at him with a sorrowful ligh
in her eyes.
; eyes, but not badly hope"
( He could say no more; her gent
sympathy touched him, her voic
thrilled his heart as it had so often don
in days gone by.
Meantime the two policemen ha
e returned with the wounded man. Ma
knew him at once. He was the ma
Il who had been Norton's companion i
the cottage.
Frye came in soon with the phys
a clan and Bernard.
Frank Clifton was taken to his hote
l. where ne stayed for some time sic
4 and helpless from his wound.
o When he was able to be out agai
g Norton was in truth dead and buried
n Clifton wandered about the city fC
o several days. May was still at tt
d cottage, but Bernard told him sh
a would leave soon.
r, Clifton wanted to see her, vet