The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-06-01

net, fir om beneath which hung longish
locks OF irCn-gray hair, while n thick
veil drooping down in frontcompleted
the transformation. Imust not for
get to mention, though, that l took
with me Il small wallet ofpins, needles
and tape, under the pretext of having
tliesc Tor sale. My get.up was perfect. |
! looked TO all the world like one who |
had seen better days, but was reduced |
now to u state OF genteel poverty.
1t was close upon 3 o'clock in the
afternoon when sailed out of Albert
street, and IL drizzling ram was max
ing matters most uncheeriul. | had
no difficulty in finding Tomson's court.
1t was situated in Little Peter street,
and in that direction turned my
footsteps. must confess my mind
was not without some misgivings as
to the successful accomplishment OF
my plans. Still, had before played
two or three gold games as q detective
with considerable credit; and why
should I fail in this?
Proceeding along the"dark and mar
row yard OF Tomson's Court, Inotic-
ed Il knot OF unkcmpt women, ofmost
repulsive appearance, standing talk-
ing together, and by their earnest de.
mcanor knew they had some serious
business i'll hand. Sudden us thought
my wallet was out, and stood before
them cringingly, DeSceching them to
| buy my wares. But OF course it was
all to no purpose. ] neither sold any
! thing nor heard u word that would
give the fantcst clew. Watching my
opportunity, got away from them,
and passed INTO No. l3unseen by any
one. The room was situated at the
end ofn long, dark, and winding lobby.
and tilc stencil that met me was al
most ovcrpowerng. lpauscl IL mo.
mcnt listening, but not u sound did
hear. Then | knocked ut the door,
very feeby at first. then Louder and
louder. and yet there came no response
to me.
surely am the victim OF u hoax"
thought to myself. The room is
evidently tcnnntlcss."
STOPPING down. pecrcd through the
keylIolr, aud by the Very dim iir!,
that shone Within s;lw what | thought
was II rilair upset. knocked aynln,
so as to be- certain there WIS no one
Ill The room, and still Received no am.
swer. My curiosity was now aroused.
took from my pocket IL small bun.ii
OF skeleton keys-l nesrr Went out
without them-and noisclcssIv opened
thedoor. ASSoon as entered tood
aghas' at the sight that met my eyes.
In one corner Of the room, stretched
upon heap OF straw. | saw he form
OF woman, hali-naked and motion
less, with hereyes closed as fin death
| staggered toward her, turned her
face to the light, and, merciiul heavens.
recognized IN her the mysterious mid.
night visitor whose wild look had so
possessed mo. turned her hr.,d
more to the light, and was horritial
to see n thin stream nj blood
oozlnG from her snow white
brow down upon the face and
hands Oh Il little babe that nestled To
her hrcnst. knelt beside them, and
placing my ear to the heart al the
woman, found it WAS still heating In
'tn instant re'nisltioncd my brandy
flask, and after considerable difficulty
succeeded in pouring IL few drops of
the liquid down her throat, and was
soon rewarded by perceiving signs OF
returning ronsclonsn"sS. Her eyes
opened, and her lips began q nervous
twtcllig at h" corners.
y lew moments aiterward she fixed
n steady, wondering gaze on me, tln
tried To speak.
"'ray 10 not ior the present a.i, ate
yourself" ! exclaimed. in Il wrll-as-
snmcl female Voice. "Io1 will lccl
better presently, and then we wo will
speak Il little"
Her beautiful black eyes expressed
their gratitude to me, then She re-
lapse'l into titlul slumher. This was
very opport,ine circumstance for
stock OF t'Gt it,safabbiIe,l S,lIfH1f7 take
Three chairs, an old deal box and u
dilapdaLed table formed thcprincpal
articles in the room. Two other
things, however, attracted my attnn-
tion more than all beside They wee
n long wooden bench, such rs is used
by carpenters, and from the nature OF
the tools SAW lying about-wi,h dies
and moulds OF various sizes-my suS-
picions became confirmed.
The other object which arrested my
attention was a strong, capacious
Wardrobe in the opposite corner, fac !
ing the BEN T.. Its ioltlidgdoors stood |
u little aiar, and grew curious to
know the character OF its contents. |
wls just rising from my seat with the |
intention of making u closer inSpec-
ton, when the woman opened hcrryes
again and beckencl Inc to her side.
Then, i'll - voice Just raised above q |
whisper, she said:
"Who are you that hnvetound your
way into this miserable dwelling"
IL am a woman peddlns IL few sim
pie wares,' answered, "but how |
managed to find myself here is more
than can tell; yet am thankful |
| have rcachcdyou. ii it is only that
! may be OF simple service to you,
for see you need IL helping hand"
"Ah, It's trne-'tis true" she re-
piled; "but fear your kind assistance
has come too late-yes, too late,'
81 hope not. Tell me. though. how
you have come by that wound in
your temple. Is 1t the result of Il
ialI?"
NO, no; it was done by him my
husband. He struck me with u ham
mcr because would not consent to
his taking away my child"
htlClIlli IlcithtilS. till SlHll IIiIES
be? Where is he now" | som. what ciL-
gerly inquired.
"l 1 cannot tell" she answered:
md she appeared to hcyrowin.iainter
hy the eXcr'ion. u.ast night II little
before ., llr came home in terrible
temper. saw murder lurking in his
eyes, and after listening TO his fearful
oaths, ! ran to the police station,
pursued by him. | could not attract
attention. He overlook me Just as
rc,rntered tins room, and-Hark.
What is ,hat?'
Instantly we were 'ts silent aS the
dead and listened The faculty OF
hearin. is remarkably keen with me,
and | soon came To the conclusion
that some one was cror,hing behind |
the door. niotiourd to the woman |
TO be silent, while | cr"p' nosr!cs>v |
INTO he open wardrobe. closed he
folding doors from within, and us
good fortune would have it u, discovered |
II lar.e crevice through which could |
see the movements of any one who
might choose to enter the apartment.
The poor woman $ head sank on the
pallet oi straw, apparently in q swoon,
and all was stiffness again.
The minutes that elapsed seemed
hours to me- my ears had deceived me.
when, very slowly, and without the