Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-16

fathers crime, for of course 1t was ne
who, in the disguise of the old servant
had Quilted Belize with her. L was
making tho best OF my way to my motel
when CHEEKY voice called me by name,
and turning round 1 recognized an
American gentleman with whom mad
struck up an acquaintance in New or-
leans
WHAT on earth are you doing in this
hole ?" asked ho.
~ am going to get out OF it as Quick
as can" answered j.
Right you are" replied he; 1.-THE
same remerk applies here-but come IN
and have a drink" BE led the way as
he spoke into On ad jacent drinking saloon,
and as the barkeeper, with the practical
skill OF q pharmaceutical chemist, was
mixing various ingredients to form the
intoxicating draught which my friend
had ordered, I cast an eye on the
surroundings. 1t was rough,look-
ing place enough, having evidently
been hastily run up upon vacant
piece OF ground and ives gsudily painted
without much regard TO taste. AT the
further end of the barn-lke bar-room a
| door opened into q billiard-saloon,
which, however, was then unoccupied.
We had hardly entered the place when a
slim Young fellow with protusion OF
shaggy black hair, crowned by broad
brimmed felt hat, slouched over his
eyes, came in and made straight for
the billiard-room. My back was turned
that way, but from the sound ! oplned
that be was knocking the balls about
Come, said my friend, there is to
pleasant journey"
He had hardly uttered the words than
there was the sharpreport of pistol and
be fell forward without q groan, stone
dead, shot through the forehead at tho
same instant two more shots came in
rapid succession, and l heard the bullets
whistle past my ears.
"Shoot, Kernel, shoot" exclaimed
the barkeeper, who was evidently used
10 affairs of this description. "Shoot,
or he'll plug you the next shot to a
moral. 4" and at the same time he thrust
Colts navy revolver into my hand.
| jumped mechanically, and turning
round saw the young fellow who had
last entered standing in the doorway OF
the billiard-saloon, peering through the
smoke with his revolver ready for
another murderous attempt. Scarcely
| knowing what | did l levelled the
weapon which had been so OPPORTUNITY
thrust into my hand and fired.
With q shrill cry the murderer sprang
up into the air and then crashed heavily
forward shot through the heart. The
sound of the firing soon brought in a
little crowd, and shortly afterwards the
Sheriff made his appearance. The bar
keepers evidence. however, entirely ex-
culpated me, as / had acted only IN
legitimate self.defence, and q move was
made to examine the body OF the assassin,
for my poor friend was past all human
aid. AS the body WAS raised, the hat
and black wig came of, the beard
aud whiskers were also found TO
he artificial, and with glance
Of horror | recognized the beau
| tiful features of Olga Petroush,
cold and stiiiening beneath the hand OF
death. The riddle was easily to be
solved. Serge, fearing that | should be-
tray him, had dispatched the devoted
girl to make sure Of me, and she, per
haps for the second time in her life, had
not hesitated to accept the murderous
task. When | related the story several
Of the crowd started with the avowed
intention of lynching Potrouski, but he
was not to be found, and thank Heaven
/ have never come across him again. l
lost no time in leaving Little Rock, but
it was many years before the dead face
of Olga ceased to haunt my brain.