Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-09

proved how passlonately he resented the
fraud which tore them part.
Thus ran her sad thoughts, and just
then the great clock in the church tower
outside, rang out the hour OF nine; ana
ere the sonorous notes of the bell mad
died away, loud and peremptory knock
was heard at the door.
Nellie rose to see who Numbered at the
panels in such rude fashion at that
season. But old Bob cams running
from the kitchen with his knuekles in
his sleepy eyes, and muttering curses on
the heads of the intruders.
Then he threw open the door and Mel
| lie heard some one say:
els there q man named Mark Eliot
here, Bob?'
''There isl Cubby replied, sullenly,
savagely, "but yo' oonnot see him at
present. -
"'How's that? We must see him.
Don t shut the door, or We shall have to
| force it in!'
.'what do yo' wantf" Bob de-
manded.
.sLet US in and then we will tell you. ?"
"Come in then, an may God forgive
thoose as sent yo' heer at such tahme
as this!'
The indignant old factory man fell
back from the doorway, and two police
men entered with considerable show OF
authority. They, however, stopped
suddenly on the Threshold, and their
| faces fell when Nellie confronted them,
and they saw the white bed and the
| sleeping man.
'what is it you want?" she de-
mEnded, contemporary, her beautiful
face white and hard set her great brown
eyes flashing in an ominous way. Like
a guardian angel she stood there between
her sweetheart and the officers OF the
law, and she would have saved him with
her own life had it been possible.
"We've come to arrest a man named
Mark Eliot for the murder or Dan Ash
TOM one of the constables began,
faltering. "We've a warrant for him,
and Cubby here says he is in the house
now
"There he is" che said, pointing to
the unconscious slumberer. 1.-TWO hours
ago the doctor said he was dying; he is
asleep now, and may get better if he is
not disturbed. Awake him and the
shock may kill him.
"I'm sorry, but we must do our
dutv,'' said the other policeman.
quietly. SIN IA case of this sort it
would cost US our places to do anything
else. -
''For heaven Is sake speak low or you
will wake him!" she murmured. "Take
this ana go!''
She emptied the contents of her purse
in her hand and held the shining golden
and silver coins to the officers. But they
only shook their heads and stood firm.
ave cannot go: we must wait till he
wakens up and do our duty
She cast herself upon the chair beside
the bed with gesture of despair, and
one of the officers muttered to old Bob:
"Is this dodger?''
"Dodge be -?' the old fellow cried
angrily. "He's been as near gone as q
mon could bel"
Suddenly a new voice was heard in the
chamber, and the eyes of all were turned
towards the bed wherein Mark Eliot
lay. He was awake, seemed quite con-
scious, and was regarding those about
him with curious eyes.
"What is the matter?'' he asked
quite calmly. 'What do these men
want?''
care you Mark Eliot?'' one of ths
constables said, stepping forward.
"I ann
"Theu we warrant for your arrest
- 49, -
der of Dan Ashton
"Murder? 1 did
"For Gods sake, Mark Nellie
cried, dropping on her knees beside the
bed, "do not say anything to convic
Yourself! What has happened no ONT
can tell save you. Hush! Do no
speak. Not a word implore you'll
81 must speak, Nellie!' he said
, laying his hand lovingly upon her darl
head. ''Yes. 1 have killed him
''What you say now, will be uset
against you at the trial., was the for
NAL, but not unkindly meant Interrupt
ton of the constables.
81 know-stlll must speak. Do NO
stop me, Nellie. 1 killed him-would dt
it again You will find him at the bottom
Of the old pit in Balcarres Wood. l in
tended to give myself up-you know tina
| did, Nellie-you, too, Bobi but wha
does 1t matter now?'
[To BE CONTINUED