Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-03-26
''But there is, mani tell you [ see
letters In blood Written Z a eve

''But there IS, mani tell you [ see
letters In blood written there
so! no, sir" returned, looking al
the place, and indeed, as we both
gazed at the writing it faded quite
away. He passed his hand across his
eyes and looked again, fearfullv. and
then with a groan, said:
"You are right. Thomas, there is
nothing. fear I am very nervous. >
That night, when at late hour.
passed his room on the way to nv
own, I heard pitful moaning and deer
groans from Mr.. Warfeld's room. and
to tell the truth, my heart was sore
for him. Bat, Lord bless you! the
detective police can't afford to encour.
age such feelings, for if they did, the
guilty ones would often 90 free
oftener even than they do. So |
hardened my heart, and says to nv.
self, II must keep it up, and either
this man will 60 mad, or else fear and
remorse will drive him to comics
SION"
Next morning the laundress gave
me some linen handkerchiefs to carry
to Mr.. Warfeld. I wrote across the
upper one, ''W. R. Loring," and gave
it to him while the color was fresh
He read it and gave me an awful
look.
"What do you mean? 1 asked
looking at him, while he kept hi!
eyes away and held the handkerchiet
from him, as if he was afraid it would
blind him.
''Who gave you this handkerchief
he asked sternly.
''The laundress, sir-Bridget."
Cali her to come here this instant. ;
Of course I took care that Bridget
didn't come too soon; and when Mr..
Warfeld thrust his handkerchief be-
fore her eyes and demanded to know
why it was written on; she stared as
if he had told her it was rattlesnake.
Sure enough, there was nothing to
see, for the writing had faded all
away. Mr.. Warfield presently per
ceived this, and uttered some feeble
words of apology, but he was white
as death and his eyes looked wild and
fierce.
Well, I needn't repeat all the things
of this sort that | did, but I kept it IN
for weeks, till st last everything in
his room-every bit OF linen that he
wore used to bear that terrible writ,
ing. I saw that he was breaking up
fast. and I knew crisis was approach
ing. He never spoke now when he
saw these signs, but he still grew pale
as corpse, and spasms of pain con
torted his face. One night, when ]
had left a good deal of writing about
his room-on the pillow, on his coun-
terpane, and his handkerchief. { was
a good deal surprised to notice that
he observed it all quite calmly, and
instead of the customary horror and
terror that his face showed, q sad but
calm smile rested about his lips, I
was troubled about this change, and
asked myself: "Does he at last sus-
pect me?" But ne dismissed me and
babe me good night, as usual, and
had no excuse for lingering, but
saw his light burning till very late,
and though [ passed the door very
often I heard ne sound of distress.
"He suspects mew thought, "and
means to make his escape" So I
watched his room all night. But the
poor man escaped me after all. In the
morning he was found dead, looking
very quiet and peaceful, and on a lit
tie sheet of tinted note-paper, folded
in two and laid on his beart, was his
confession:
II killed Mr.. Loring-his death was
accidental and not a premeditated
murder. We quarreled on the subject
Of his daughter, whom I adored and
of whom I thought myself basely
cheated. In the heat of the passion I
struck him blow which caused
death. From my heart and soul I ask
forgiveness from him and from his
family, and voluntarily give up my
life as forfeit lor his"
That was all. I felt kind of sorry,
but it's nay business to detect Grimm
ais, and [ must take such means as
come to my hand, VIII Allen was
cleared Of the last suspicion, and his
sweet, clever little wife was properly
grateful. baltimore Herald.