Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1896-12-10

Timmons was reposing on the high stool
at his doorway. He had bought morn
ing paper on his way to business, and he
now glanced over it casually. Finally
he came upon the place where local news
was given. His eye caught large head
ing, Fire and Loss of Life in Chef
wynd Street." The paragraph was, ow-
ing to the late honr at which the event
took place. brief. It ran as follows:
Last night, between half-past II and
o'clock, disastrous and fatal fire broke
out In the bakery establishment Of Mr..
Forbes in Chetwynd street. The top
floor, where the FIRE originated, was occu-
ried By Mr.. Oscar Leigh. who has lost
lis life In the burning. Mr.. Leigh was
engaged In the manufacture of very
wonderful clock, which occupied fully half
the room, and which Mr.. Leigh invariably
wound up every night between II and
half-past IL.
1T 10 generally supposed that the eccen-
trio movements of Mr.. Leigh were the
result Of fit or sudden seizure Of some
ether kind, and that in his struggles some
indammable substance was brought in
contact with the gas before it was turned
out"
Timmons flung down the paper with a
| shout, crying, Dead! Dead! Leigh il
dcadv'
At that moment the figure of a man
appeared at the threshold of the store,
| and Stamer. with scowl and stare,
| stepped in hastily and looked furtively,
fearfully around.
/ "What are you shoutin' about?" cried
Stamer, in a tone Of dangerous menace.
Leigh IL deadv' cried Timmons in ex-
citement.
II know all about that, suppose"
said Stamer, and you shut up, If you don't
want to follow him. I'm in no humor for
your noise and antics. Do you want to
lave the coppers down on us?-do you,
you idiot!''
/ "Who are you calling an idiot?" cried
| Timmons. catching up an iron bar and
! taking few steps towards the burglar.
4 You, if you want to know. Put that
down. Put that bar down, / say. Can you
tell me who killed him? If you can't I
can" He pointed to himself.
"Whatv' cried Timmons, starting back,
End not quite understanding the others
gesture.
/ NOW are you satisfied? thought you
guessed. wouldn't have told you If !
didn't think you knew or guessed. ]
thought you knew, and that, instead Of
saying a good word to me, you were going
to down me and give me up
a Timmons stepped slowly back In horror.
"You!' he whispered, bending his head
forward and beginning to tremble in
every limb. "You! You did it! You did
this! You, Stamer!"
1 Stamer merely nodded, and looked Ike
hunted wild beast. he wore the clothes
Of last night, but was without the whis-
kers or beard. All the time he covered
in the shelter Of the shutters, he kept his
right hand behind his back. He looked
towards the opening and then his round
bloodshot eyes went back to the rigid
figure Of Timmons. II don't mind what
you cay, il you'll only speak to me, only
not too loud. No one can hear US.
know that. and no one can listen at the
door, without our seeing him. You don't
: know what have gone through. have
not been home. am afraid to 90 home
You murderous viilian!"
Its enough to drive any man mad
I've been wandering about all night.
am more afraid of my wife than Of any
one else. don't know why, but trem
BILE when think of her, more than Of the
police, or--or-Or-
1.-THE hangmanY
} eyes. You don't know ALL When you
do, you'll pity me-
"The poor, foolish dwarfy'
"Yes. was afraid he would betra,
US"
'Oh, villaih!'
.. 0And got on roof opposite the win
dow, and when he was working at thu
lever, fired, and his head went so-ant
.. then so-and then So"
"Stop it, you murderer!'
Eyes. And knew it was done. Tht
neck! Yes, / knew the neck was broken
and it was all right"
IF you don't stop II, I'll brain your
Eyes. And got down OF the roof ani
ran. couldn't help running, and al tn.
time was running / heard him running
: after me- heard him running after me
!. and saw his head wagging so-so-so
- he ran. Every step he took. his head
wagged, so-and so-and So"
2 IF you don't stop that
! Eyes. will. III stop it. But coult
!. not stop him last night. ALI the time
: ran / couldn't stop him. His head KEEP
= wagging and his lame feet kept running
! after me, and couldn't stop the feet O
: the head. don't know how long I ran
: Of where ran, but could run no more
! and ! fell up against wall, and then
! overlook me! I saw it as plainly as SCI
? you-plainer, saw it"
The man paused moment to wipe hi
forehead.
do you heary' he yelled, suddenl
fiinging his arms up in the air. do yo'
hear? Will you believe me now? TIL
steps again! The lame steps again. d
you hear thenl?"
mad"
! s'Madi told you. Look!''
= The figure Of low-sixed, deforme
: dwarf came into the opening and crosse
/! the threshold Of the store.
2 With groan Stamer fell forward il
sensible.
J. CHAPTER XXI
vi Ti1amons uttered Wild yell. N