The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-10-28

identical with that have described:"
Precisely. say the story is true in
every essential detail. Every action OF
the plot. every motive Of the characters
ali the descriptions Of places; and even
portions Of She dialogue are absolutely
true. say again I am Jasper Gore 7!
Imagine my feelings! Never before
in the history of fiction writing had so
remarkable a thing happened. Some o.
cult power had clearly been at work on
nv brain and directed me to write
story founded on fact in degree thas
was simply marvellous. The situation
vas so extraordinary that it staggered
me. Twas here face to face with the
murderous rufian Of my own creation.
What was TO be done? glanced aS
the bell at his elbow.
"Never mind the bell, he said. 1--WE
shall not want to use that. Listen to
mel"
He brought his chair toward me until
our knees were nearly touching. With
his hands on his thighs and his body
bent forward he f1ed his penetrating
eyes on mine
s'I have told you that am Jasper
Gore. But that is only one OF the names
under which authors have used me ID
relating my exploits You are not the
only writer who has employed my deeds
in fiction. You have read BlandfoSd S
novel, The Red Witness:' Well, am
Paul yarnham, the man who poisoned
his brother and threw the body into the
limekiln. You have seen the story ID
the last number of The Masterpiece
Masazine called The Case of Roland
Wier?' I am Roland, the man who stole
the bonds and stabbed to the heart the
only witness to the deed. Why, the
stains Of the crime are still on my
hands.
shuddered visibly, and cold sweat
was on my forehead.
"Metaphorically speaking, he added
with sr:le, 81 suppose you have
read
"stop.'' cried. "What is it you
want Of me Why DO you come to tell
NE all this:
"I came to make proposal am
man Of many deeds crimes, you would
call them. The world is getting too hot
for me. lam in danger from the sleuth
hounds Of the law. Shelter me; hide
me, and will give you material for
some Of the most thrilling stories that
| ever were written. can keep you going
for the rest Of your life-with facts, sir,
facts
"The Rowner's Mill affair I don't
know how you got hold Of, but it was
not obtained fairly, But ! will not say
anything about that. Stand By me, and
Iwill make your fortune and your ever
| lasting fame. Is it a bargain?'
To accept such a proposal never en-
tered my mind for one moment. Ny
only thought was to get this dreadful
creature out Of my house, whether what
he said was true or not. How was I to
do it?
Just then my servant knocked at the
door and entered.
"Rere is gentleman wishes to see
you, sir
"say you are engaged" said Rogers.
rising from his chair and grasping me by
the arm.
But the new arrival had already en-
tered the room.
Excuse me, sir. be said. 81 have
come Tor our good friend, Ar. Rogers.
He lives with US at x"
Z knew to be the place where o
certain county lunatic asylum stands. !
saw everything in fash. he handed
Rogers over to the care Of another man
| IN the hall, and the poor fellow won't as
| meekiy as lamb. Then the attendant
came back to me.
''I hope he has not alarmed you, sir.
He escaped two days ago. F."
"Well, he gave me an unpleasant haE
hour. The man seems to be stepped in
crime"
"Be's all right except on that point.
BE fancies that be is every criminal that
| he reads about in the story books. We
traced him to your house, and I expect
he has been pitching lively yarn about
some Of his doings. All! thought so.
| But, bless your heart, sir, the poor fel-
low wouldn't hurt dy.
| Nevertheless, he had knocked me off
my work for chat day.-London Tit
Rits