The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-06-06

ened.
"Once for ALL" said the man, twill
you leave this town and swear to
follow me no more?''
81 can not" said the woman pite-
ously, "because l love you! Oh,
John!'' she cried, as she fell on her
knees at his feet, "have mercy on me!
Think of all I have suffered for you,
and take me into the shelter of your
love again!"
"a curse on your love- he cried.
1t has been a curse to me. You are
a blight to my life. What are you
kneeling there for?' And hespurned
her with his foot. She rose weeping.
When the man grasping her arm and
Kissing the words in her ear, said:
II swear I will kill yon if you cross
my path againY'
ooh, my God p she cried, "my bur-
den is heavier than I can bear!
Only let me see my children once
more, and you can take my life if you
will!''
"You shall never see them!'' said
the man. "You have disgraced them
as you have disgraced me. They are
dead to you for ever
She uttered a cry, like that of a
lost soul, and fell heavily to the
ground.
She lay there moaning and motion
less. I saw him glance furtively
around. as if he feared that he was
seen. Then he bent down.
I saw his finger on the woman's
throat-there was a struggle and a
stifed cry, and-I sprang from my
hiding-place with a cry OF horror on
my lips, the blood in my veins boil
ing with rage and indignation, I.
rushed forward. The wretch fed at
my approach, STOPPING to shield
himself fro m detection as he ran. |
raised the woman in my arms; the
print of his cruel fingers were on her
white throat; but the villain had not
killed her, though she lay in my arms
as one dead.
"Help! Murder!" I shouted, and
an echo came back through the
gloomy woods: "Help! Murder!'
l heard the sound of hurried foot
steps approaching. Was the would
be murderer coming back to try his
strength with me! The figure of a
man came rapidly towards us. I
caught the CLEAN of a silver badge
on his breast, and 1 knew that help
was at hand.
whats up?' asked the almost
breathless officer, as he peered first
in the woman's face and then in
mine.
In a quick, excited manner I told
him thestory. Helistened, and look
ed at me suspiciously.
The woman was breathing hard.
"Loosen her dress at the throat" he
cried, as he tugged at it nervously.
"But, good God! we are a mile from
the station, and she may die before
we get there!'
Tenderly, but swiftly we bore her
along, until we reached our destina-
ton. We laid her gently down upon
a cot in one of the officers room. AS
the chief came forward and saw the
woman's face, he exclaimed: "Why,
I should know this woman. She is
the mysterious creature of whom
there has been so much talk in the
city. Go for a physician-quick! Is
this the wretch who did this devils
work."
He grasped me by the wrist and
peered into my face.
"Nop I cried, Indignantly, eft
was owing to my efforts that the
woman lives now. was only wit
ness to it,
Here the officer briefly secounted
the circumstances of his meeting with
me.
II must place you under arrest"
said the Chief, until we can get bet
ter evidence of your innocence than
you have given. Take him to cell
and lock him up"
81 am not guilty ofthis foul crime,''
1 cried. "Come with me and l will
lay my hands upon the guilty man."
By this time physician had ar
rived, and accompanied by the same
officer who had answered my call in
the grove, 1 went to the house where
I lodged.
The first gray streaks ofdawn were
in the east when we reached it. We
entered the outer door with a night
key which 1 carried in my pocket.
The door of my room was locked.
That was enough. The man we want
ed was within.
"Who is there?" he asked in a
hoarse voice.
cit is I-your roommate" 1 an
swered.
The door was opened. The officer
stood behind me in the shadow. He
entered with me. "Thati is the man,"
I said, pointing at him."
He sprang forward and raised his
hand to strike me, but the officer
leveled a pistol at his head and bade