The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-08-30

..You shall never see themI' said the
man. You have disgrsced them. as
you disgraced me. They arc dead 70
you forever"
She uttered q cry. like that OF lost
soul. and fell heavily TO the ground.
She lay there moaning and motion
less. saw the man glance furtively
around, as II fearful that he was seen.
Then he bent down.
l saw his fingers on tho woman's
throat--thcre was struggle and
stined cry. and-I sprang from my hid
ing-place with cry Of horror on my
lips. the blood In my veins boiling with
rage and indignation. rushed for
ward. The wretch fed at my approach.
STOPPING TO shield himself from detec-
ton rs no ran. l raised the woman
IN my arms; the print of his cruel
fingers was on her white throat; but
the villain had not killed her. though
she lay In my arms as one dead.
"Heipl Murderw shouted. aud an
echo came back through the gloomy
woods; Help! Murderr'
Iheard the sound OF hurried footsteps
approaching. Was the would-be muir.
derer coming back to try his strength
with mel The figure OF man came
rapidly towards us. caught the CLEAN
Of a silver badge on his breast. and l
knew that help was at hand.
What's upP" asked tho almost
breathless officer. as he peered first In
the woman's face and then In mine.
In quick, excited manner / told
him the story. He listened. and looked
ut me suspiciously.
The woman was breathing hard.
Loosen her dress at the throat" he
cried. as he tugged at IL rervously.
But. good God! we are u mile from
the station. and she may die before we
get thercm
Tenderly but swiftly we bore her
along. until we reached our destination.
We laid her gently down upon a cot in
one of the officers rooms. As the chief
came forward and saw the woman's
face, he exclaimed; why, / should
know this woman. She is the mystic
rious creature of whom there has been
so much talk In the city. Go for
physician-quickl Is this the wretch
who did this DEVILS work."
He grasped mo by tho wrist and
peered into my face.
Nor / cried, Indignantly. 1T was
owing to my efforts that the woman
lives now. l was only witness TO it,"
Here the officer briefly recounted the
circumstances of his meeting with me.
II must place you under arrest"
said the Chief. until we can get better
evidence of your innocence than you
have given. Take him to cell and
lock him up"
II am not guilty Of this foul crime"
cried. Come with me and / will lay
my hands upon the guilty man."
BY this time a physician had ar
rived. and accompanied by the same
officer who had answered my call in
the grove. / went TO the house where I
lodged.
The first grey streaks OF dawn were
in the east when we reached IL. We
entered the outer door with q night
key which carried In my pocket. The
door of my room was locked. That
was enough; the man we wanted was
within.
who Is therep" he asked. In
hoarse. natural VOICE
1T is I-your roommate" an
swered.
The door was opened. The officer
stood behind me- in the shadow. He
entered with me. That Is the man."
said. pointing at him. land am wit
ness against him."
He sprang forward and raised his hand
10 strike me. but the officer leveled q
pistol at his head aud babe him hold
up his hands. In the twinkling of an
eve the steel bracelets were on his
wrists. and cursing and denying all
knowledge of the crime with which l
accused him, he was marched to tho
station.
The woman lay thoro moaning and
raving in delirium. He was brought to
her side. She shrieked as she caught a
wild glimpse of his face. Don't kill
me. John, don't kill mel Don't kill
me. because love you'll" she cried.
1T Is enough" said the chief. Take
him 10 a cell"
81 didn't mean TO kill her." he said,
rs he cast one remorseful glance upon
the pale face. before he was led away.
but she has wrecked my life. and she
deserves to die"
My story Is quickly told; Tho
woman died that night. on that cot of
straw in the station-house. Died raw
ing but blessing the hand that sought
her life. AS knelt by her side when
the breath had left her lips forever. I
asked the physician TO explain the
Of her life.
Few know" he said. the story of
her life. but IL Is familiar to me. and
has been for months past. She volun-
toered TO nurse the sick at the hospital.
~ ...h.lo Tiara aha 90. Al..A 4