Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-02-08
MY TERRIBLE PLIGHT.

l had every reason TO be q happy mau on
that July evening In lsS-, when the mail
train was swiftly carrying me from Liver
pol 10 London.
was young, my prospects were good, my
business Aourishing, and was engaged TO
the girl OF my heart-pretty Betty Daven-
port. Her name, by the way, was Eliza Ann,
in compliment TO a wealthy godmother. A
dreadful combination, which its owner indig-
nantly repudiated Mr.. Davenport was an
engineer, and had lately returned from South
America. Betty had the reputation OF being
bit OF firt, and there was certain mer-
chant at Buenos Ayres, James Andrews by
name, whom her bright eyes and clear com.
ple1ion had entirely vanqulshed. Ny sweet
heart always looked serious when the mer-
chants name was mentioned. Poor fellowi
On his side, at least, IL was no idle Irritation.
Since the fair English girl refused him be
had neglected his business, and was on the
high road 20 ruin.
Curiously enough, had been mixed up
with his affairs in a strange way. Though
we had never met we knew each other by
name and repute and as we both were Ia the
wool trade, had been the unconscious means
Of discovering big swindle, which be, as a
last desperate resource, had planned 70 save
him from bankruptcy. The attempt failed
he was ruined And, by a strange irony OF
fate, the man who had won the girl he had
wooed was instrumental in accelerating that
ruin.
SO my thoughts ran as the train Numbered
through the black night
At Rugby another passenger got into my
compartment, of which hitherto had been
the sole occupier. had read the evening
paper down to the advertisements, and had
re-read Betty's last letter, so the prospect af
chat was a welcome one. The newcomer
seemed as much inclined for conversation as
was, and we were soon chatting away on
the thousand and one topics in which men Of
the world are interested. A chance allusion
OF mine 20 South Africa ELECTED the fact that
he had spent some years of his life there, and
this formed an additional reason for socia-
bility. For, before | succeeded TO my fathers
London business, / had spent two years in the
neighborhood of Kimberley, prospecting for
gold. Apropos of the wild state Of some parts
Of the country, incidentally remarked that
the custom acquired there OF travelling armed
still chung TO me, and l. when on a tourney.
always carried pistol
Quite an unusual precaution," added,
deprecatingly, "in this peaceful old England
of oursn
II think 1t a very sensible one" returned
my companion; lone never knows when a
six-shooter may not be useful Would Won
let me see yoursf
II was an unusual request, and for the
moment rather staggered me- And as he
bent forward | noticed that his face was
working curiously, and his outstretched hand
trembled
The train slackeued speed; we we're stop
ping at a junction.
The porter came along tue platform with
his monotonous chant, Change here for
Gresham" He put his head in our carriage
Either OF you gentlemen for CheshamT
No, we were both bound for London, so the
man took himself off But he looked rather
startled, and well he might BY the light of
the lantern he carried he had seen two men,
one bent forward, pale and eager, the other
holding pistol
handed the stranger my pistol for inspec-
ton. 1t was a dainty thing | was rather
proud or IL. Ny mate IN South Africa had
given IL TO me, and my name was engraved
on IL.
"Horaos Bligh,n read nv fellow traveller.
80 you, with a steady flame in his great
eyes, "are Horace Blighr That Is my
name" replied, rather Disconnected The
mans manner was certainly strange; he toy
ed with the pistol in dangerous way, and
We were going At the rate of fifty miles an
hour. IL was not pleasant position to be
placed In. began to regret my folly In com
plying with his request
| went on coolly, perhaps you had better
return me my property. Pretty thing, is IL
mott but loaded, and therefore unreliable.
You are handling II carelessly, and 1t might
go OF II will be safer IN my pocket
reached out my hand In my turn. but INV
fellow traveller deity evaded me. shall
never forget the awful expression on his bag
gard face.
80 you are Horace Bligh." Well. am
James Andrews, the man you have ruined
Not only that, you have taken the girl /
loved meant 10 kill myself II had the
chaucs. have II now. / have also the means
Of revenge. could shoot you where you
stand. But | will not. / reserve for you a
more hideous fate. | will kill myself with
your pistol and Ia such manner that suicide
will appear improbable On you will fall the
suspicion, nay, the certainty OF guilt"
rushed forward and tried 10 wrest the
pistol from him. a brief struggle ensued, In
which he, endowed with maniac strength,
threw me 20 the floor OF the carriage Be-
fore could rise he placed the pistol In the
middle OF HIS forehead. fired, and fell dead.
tut out upIIDF W NUt emu
of Betty's some time lover banished all other
thoughts The next ] noticed that we were
slackening speed. pulled down the window
and thrust out my head We were nearing
the end of the journey. Like flashes OF light
ming ono thought after another rushed across
my brain. He was dead-James Andrews;
the man who had every reason 10 bear me
enmity. He was dead. Shot through the
head with my pistol What more likely sup
position could there he than that in the beat
Of anger, of recrimination on his part 1
had lost self control, fired at and killed himl
Then ensued the most foolish action of my
life. l leapt from the now slmost motion
less train on 10 the platform and ran up the
stairs into the street. / hailed a passing
hansom and told the man 10 drive TO my
chambers IN Furnival's inn. As he ratified
through the quiet streets congratulated my
self on my escape from an unpleasant predic-
ament. 1t was unlikely that the porter would
remember my face, and II he did there was
not a very great chance OF discovery. The
pistol-good Godl-I Fitted my hand 10 rny
pocket--it was empty. In the hurry Of my
impulsive fight hail left behind the evS
ience that would convict mel had forgot
ten the pistol.
II was impossible to 20 home They had |
my name; my address was in the directory.
should be arrested before daybreak called
20 the driver to go to Leicester square, stayed |
iD closing time; then wandered about Lon
ion. Then went into cafe, trying to de-
tide on my plan of action. To fy the coun-
Try was the first course that suggested itself.
Then ] remembered the vigilance with which |
he ports are watched when supposed crimi-
ial Is at large So wandered on for hours,
miserably. | would put a brave
ront on the matter. and confess my share in |
he tragedy; would take train to Hewhaven
nd cross TO France; would hide in someob- |
cure part of London, and await the turn
fFafYo trol