The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-26


Squire GuIliwum, whom he found
waiting for him, exhaling an atmos-
phere of dignity that was positively
oppressive.
Il demand an explanation of this
outrage exclaimed the prisoner.
Have a care, young man. admon-
ished the squire. '1est to your other
crimes you add the still more heinous
one of contempt of court"
II may at least know of what I am
accused" persisted Ray. mastering
his anger.
You'll have an examination to-
morrow" replied his honor. I'm the
meantime it is my duty to commit
YOU"
The mittimus. already made out.
was handed to one Of the officers. and
the line of march taken up for the
Jail in the order before indicated.
At the hour fixed for the examina-
ton a crowd had assembled, the like
Of which had never been seen in
Gutchley since that memorable
Fourth of July which Squire Guilt
wum had rendered illustrious by de-
livering Grafton on horse back, in
full uniform. in the center of hol-
low square formed of the Cory
Grays," standing at present"
With some difficulty the prisoner
was ushered through the crowd into
the magisterial presence and con
fronted with his accuser-nO other
than his fair landlady, whom the very
sight of him seemed to give turn.
The magistrate begged her to com
pose herself, which she did to some
extent, and after being duly sworn,
and having chastely kissed the book,
81
II was not her nature, if she knew
herself, to be suspicious The late
Mr. Peake (tears to his memory had
pronounced this the weak point in
her character Still, she noticed a
marked want of openness in her
boarder- She had observed. too, oc-
casiOnaI symptoms of 1evity in his
conduct. She would scorn to pry into
other peoples secrets, but when peo-
pie Will leave their letters lying
about other people can't help seeing
what's in them some times 1t was in
this way she had become informed Of
an atrociOus plot against her own
life. Here the witness quite broke
down.
Did you find that paper in the
prisoners apartment?'' Intercepted
the squire, producing the letter be-
fore referred to.
'I-I-I-I di- di- didn sobbing.
Paper marked and read
"Dear Ray: Your idea of killing
the widow is capital. Carry it out at
once. VIII see you in a day or two.
A loud laugh in the rear Of the
crowd interrupted the proceedings
who's that Conforming the court2'
shouted the squire.
mo offense intended" said jolly,
good looking gentleman pushing his
way forward; but this is too good"
''Huno, Quartor' cried Ray; "a
pretty scrape that COMPOUNDED letter
of yours has got me into"
do I understand you to be the
author Of that epistle?'' inquired
Gulliwum of the stranger.
The latter owned up.
ARREST him as an accompliceF'
commanded the squire.
Beg pardon" interrupted Mr..
Meek. the village pastor; but I hap
pen to know this gentleman. This is
Mr. Quarto, the publisher. There
must be some mistake here"
Let him explain it, then" said the
squire.
The stranger asked no better. Mr.
Ray was an author who was writing
a novel for him, the heroine of which
was young widow, whom it had
been deemed advisa BILE to kill off in
the concluding chapter And the
s'bloodv business" referred to in the
publis hers note chad that extent
no more"
Mr. Quarto was cut short by a roar
of laughter in which every body joined
but the widow and the squire.