The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-10-30

straining through the darkness,
waited for the other to move again.
Only to know his whereabouts! STU
myself I dared not, could not. there
was the door close by, and there was
the chance of ending it all by one
shout, but I must have forgotten both
in the sudden horror.
expected every moment to feel his
grip, to close with him, to feel the
probe of his blade.
Five minutes-surely that number
had passed!-and that blow had not
come. Involuntarily l took two strides
out into the room, and there stood on
toe tips, turning as an pivot to clutch
at something warm.
Nothing! But to stand still now,
having once moved, was impossible.
The cunning Of sheer desperation took
me. The floor seemed to be thickly
carpeted, and gave back no sound.
Two more stealthy strides-another
now I must be close to the opposite
wall. I would reach out and touch it,
and then make two rushes at different
angles-clutch him with arms and legs,
and hold him powerless. But-what
was that? His breathing, just there,
where the wall should be? I could
bear it no longer; I threw out both
arms in frenzy, and my left palm
touched a smooth, bald head. Back I
went shuddering. It was real man,
STOPPING to avoid me, contemplating
some trick-and the horror of that
first contact brought the reaction.
The light! the light! Nina must 60
everything must 60.
''Enough!' I shouted, madly; and
simultaneously two arms closed about
my waist. All! In an abandonment
of fear, then, I gripped at his throat,
bent him back and struck-twice,
three times-at his chest, I think and
up to the very hilt each time, and
then
Some one was plucking me back
and out into the passage. I sank on
a stair and lay there, while the ground
seemed to be rocking under me. I
knew nothing atpassed until o glass
was put to my lips.
Drink this! You have killed him.
I think-but you cried Enough
that first husky voice was whispering.
"You must go straight away, in case
it is discovered. Listen! a cab waits
outside, and have put money in
your pockets. Go at once to Brighton
Brighton, do you hear?-and stay
there until you hear from us that it is
safe. Ask each day at the postofice
for a letter. No questions now; go,
and all will be well!'
The rest seems like a part of a
dream. I CROPPED obediently out, half
blinded by the sudden light, and into
a hanson that waited outside. An
hour later, without knowing how had
got there, / was in train whirling
south. CHILLED him! Killed him!'
sang in and out Of my brain. I had
killed man! That was all; of Nina
never once thought. But, not
was all some nightmare. I would
credit nothing until I received that
letter.
And one morning, when I put the
usual hoarse inquiry, an envelope was
handed to me. One nervous glance,
then an incredulous gasp. The hand
writing upon it was--Masters'! Ten
minutes later, I was trying hard to
take in Supplying revelation, sob
after sob of relief shaking me. A
'evelation-yes, indeed!
'DEAR OLD JEFF am only pray
ing that this reaches you all right.
Heaven knows I have longed to put
you out of your misery, but it was
not safe. But now, however, -Velazzio
md his daughter should be we'll out of
The country, and probably have sue
'eeded in preventing you making the
mistake Of your life.
'Jeff, it was all clever trick of
nine. That night, after what you told
ne, [ saw you were on the edge of a
orecipice, and I took one of the fellows
INTO my confidence. We hired the
house i'll Soho, got tie italian to write
hat letter, and copcocted an ordeal.
When you stabbed so murderously at
your opponent in the dark room you
we're stabbing at your old chum, Mas
;ers. Thank heaven, we had provided
you with that property knife, with the
blade, that we bought for
asst years theatricals.
Disguised, I saw you safe off to
and then I put a real de-
ective on VelaZzio's track, and gave
lin his chance to clear out. Results
how that he was only too glad to take
t. And so it is all over, and you will
i've to thank me for it.
"Yours ever, JACK MASTERS.
Tit Bits.
The Largest Floating Dry Dock.