Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-01-06

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had nos w sxtingutahcu the light. but Law
% that ! could watch TIE Old Clocks facs
and dream OF home and friends across he
wide Atlantic.
OF : sudden I strange thing occurred. A
queer feeling took possession OF me. Some
invisible power seemed drawing me toward
that monster clock in the corner. In vain
attempted TO throw OF the feeling.
AZ length. when powerless to resist the
| impuaeA longer, l sprang mp, aud seizing
the hight approached the queer old time
piece. When within a few feet OF the old
clock I saw 2 strip Of white paper hanging
down over the glass covering to the face.
Il was this then that looked so queer from
my position on the bed. lifted the paper.
. narrow slip, turned it over, and, 10 my
surprise beheld writing in an irregular
hand, and in English. "You saved nv
me. I am not ungrateful. Watca the
clock " yos r0uM not die"
The communication was a startling one.
Undoubtedly the girl, DINA, had penfed
the words for my benefit. What reason
mad she to suppose that / would examine
the clock and find this warning. Doubtless
she reckoned on my curiosity. since so
large q time-piece would naturally attract
attention.
a queer sensation, perhaps it was fear,
passed through me as | tried the door of
the old clock. 1t refused to Weld. and
after q little time lost in vain speculation /
went back to the bed, but not 10 sleep. 1
was now thoroughly awake and as thor
oughly alarmed. Putting on my clothing I
drew forth my revolver, q weapon I always
carried while travelling, and extinguished
the light. Then | crawled behind the bed,
n with weapon cooked for instant use,
awaited developments.
Iick-tock vent the clock, and the mo-
SOUND once more lulled nv
senses, and ! was fast dropping into q doze,
when q sound startled me and sent the
blood bounding through my veins.
Instantly l was on the alert.
l listened intently, every nerve strained
TO its utmost tension.
What was it that had SO aroused my half
dormant senses. Ha! / have it now. The
clock had stopped!
A moment later / heard the creak Of q
door. followed soon after by the sound of a
stealthy tread. Whatever danger threat
ened was imminent now. The step moved
forward, the stealthy tread OF a human
foot! Nearer and nearer it came, and
paused at length beside the bed.
a moment of suspense, then came a
ss'SO sA0t HAlOUA NuG Dtu. + All instant
later q low cry, a hiss of rage and disap.
and then q bright ligh, illumi.
mated the scene.
To my dying day I shall not forget what
that light revealed-a man bending over the
c%lutching the hilt Of n large knife,
point OF which he had driven through
the bed, and which had been intended for
my heart. The look that rested on the
man 3 face was fiendish in the extreme. |
| rose and confronted the demon
with cooked revolver. Behind him stood
Dina with u dark lantern, whose light she |
had flashed over the scene. An instant the |
man glared at me, and then. with an oath
1f savage rage. he ierked his knife free
dashed madly into the face of nv
ieadly six-shooter.
/ pressed the trigger.
A flash and report followed. aud the
murderer lay a bleeding corpse
It my feet. Then | turned NY weapon
Dina, for l knew not if She were
.riend or foe.
wait" she commanded, quickly, and
DOLLY. 1You found my warning?"
II did,"
Then We are even. l wanted 10 save
our life. but dared not let him know of nv
mention"
She pointed at the dead outlaw as She
poke.
II will tell my story briefly she contin-
IL have been connected with this
nan for years, in acts of murder and rob
Yes, it is true, my hands are red
'ifh human blood. Many travellers have
een lured here to their doom by me; their
are buried under the house, and We
ave thrived from their gold. You, also.
have formed one of them down there
ut for what you did to-day. l did not
7ish you to die. This man was my hus-
and ! am not sorry he il dead--I
ated him! One favor. | ask of you, only:
o not set the officers on my track until
lorning, and l am content"
! made the required promise and she
eparted, not by the door, but into the
lock.
! was deeply curious. Lighting my cam
ie l went to the now open clock, and
that q narrow opening in the wall
ID to mn underground room by means of
rope ladder. This Mas the mystery OF
he clock.
From below, the assassin passed m
trough the hinge clock to the chamber
bove and easily disposed of the unsus
traveller.
l left the the horrible den at once. re.
the main road, and continued nv
.urney, reaching Glenwall by the middle
the forenoon. Here, to the authorities
told my story, and a posse was at once f,
lspatched to the old house. l was de-
lined in Glenwall some time to appear as /.
witness against the fiend woman whose /,
ands were red with many self-confessed !
urders. SHE WAS not found. however, {
,d 1t was afterward surmised that she had I
suicide in some lonely spot 10 {
cape the vengeance Of outraged law. {
Many years have passed since my night ]
III the room Of the mysterious =
ock, but even now when ! think of that /
me, a cold shudder comes over me, and I /,
n truly thankful that ] have not to expert :
zee again another night Of such horror.