The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-14

he threw away LHG ClSdA gnu VNcbHtu OlL
the rear platform.
Jobn Griggs. three blocks behind, saw
has figure alight and when he reached the
same corner stepped off also. John Griggs
was Just in time to see Editor Van Court |
ney shake hands with two men, after
which the three proceeded up the narrow
lane, which in the slums was dsnified by
the name of street, and enter very ques-
tionable cafe.
A moment later John Griggs looking in
the window of the cafe, saw Editor Van
Courtney and his two friends talking mys
teriously together over small table,
while on the table stood some big glasses
of Vari-colored stuffs which suggested the
worst drinks that the Stun bartender
was capable of mixing.
On the little stage at the rear Of the
cafe women in tights were dancing, and
the songs they sang, as they danced, were
such as awakened rude laughs from the
men who heard them-and none so bost-
erous in his applause as Francis Van
Courtney. once he pushed back his
chair and stamped loudly upon the floor
with his foot shouting encore" John
Griggs was so abashed that he withdrew
into the shadow at the other side of the
street.
But Francis Van Courtney had other
work beside that of listening to the girls
at the Cafe Chantant He soon emerged,
and in company with his two friends, who
were none too respectable in appearance,
he went into the Chinese theater around
the corner, and there was also loud in his
applause of the Oriental doings upon the
stage.
Then he came out of the Chinese thea
ter and he and his two friends seemed to
take a new bent, for they walked rapid
ly for three blocks, and there turned
the corner and disappeared in the shadow
of house Presently, however, they
came out again and stood upon the cor
ner holding a heated argument. A wo-
man who passed spoke to them, and they
sent her on her way tossing her head for
lack of a reply
As the three talked they drew closer
together; and John Griggs, who was
crouchlng in the shelter of a doorstep
near by, failed to hear their conversation.
AS they turned to walk further on he
heard Van Courtney say:
Eyes, l will do it. I hate to though! I
know 1t is wrong, l have no right to do
IT, You know I have done that sort of
thing beforehand once l got In bad
hole for it,
Just this once" urged one of the men,
and Francis Van Courtney turned on his
heel and nodded consent.
He turned and, leaving his two friends,
ran across the street and down a block
to where brilliant light CLEANED through
a glass window, which proclaimed the
words telegraph office.
He entered hastily, wrote a dispatch,
muttered mo, that won't do" tore 1t off
the pad, wrote another and handing 1t to
the clerk at his window, laid down quar-
| ter and went out
A minute later John Griggs entered the
telegraph office, picked up a crumpled
| piece of paper off the floor and stretched
| 1t out on the wooden ledge. What he read
there caused him TO utter an exclamation
of surprise and almost pleasure, 1t
might even have been taken for u
| Chuckle of eXultation.
That's the way in my business. You
never know! I may be in time to prevent
| it yet" he said to himself as he tore down
the street. 1T depends on whether the
trolley car can make better time than
the telegraph wire-and I'm afraid it
can't"
John Griggs stepped upon the car and
rode impatlently back to the Office of
| the Headlight AS he reached the door
| ne jumped off the car and dashed to the
side door leading to the mechanical de-
! partment up stairs. He was just in time
! to see a girl slowly climbing the steps to
where the mighty power drove the rafting
| press and the great moulding machines in
! the big printing and stereotype depart
| ments up stairs. He called to her and
with surprised face she turned around.
When Editor Van Courtney alghted
from his cab in front of the Morning
! 11edQhSnI AT a. III, ne was SURPRISED 70
find, awaiting him at the door, two Off
GERS of the law; and behind them three
| men i'm citizens dress evidently prepared
to assist the officers in case he should
resist.
Francis Van Courtney rubbed his eyes
and looked around him He had had sew
eral glasses that evening and things look
ed misty to him.
II never did believe much in those
/ drinks at the Cafe Chantant," he mutter-
| ed to himself rubbing his eyes again and
! taking a step forward toward the door,
which seemed blockaded with men.
A stalwart policeman awakened him
TO the reality of the situation.
Il arrest you, sir, in the name of the
law said the blue-coated officer, slipping
a pair of handouts him.
ARREST mew echoed Van Courtney.
Eyes, and unless you go quietly, we will
| have to take you by force. We have got
a strong case against you"
In the cab into which he was hustled
! hurriedly Van Courtney tried to recall
the events of the evening. AS he neared
the precinct he timidly said, May l ask
on what charge l am arrested?'
! For murder" growled the biggest OF
| the officers of the law.
Francis Van Courtney shrunk back In
his seat, trembling and sobered
At the desk the sergeant was very con-
siderate. He took the name, nationality,
| age and business OF the prisoner ana ask
ed him IL he had anything TO say for him.
| self.
II am arrested for murder, I believe"
said Van Courtney.
yes" said the sergeant, "be careful
not to say anything which will degrade
or incriminate you.'
ION what evidence am I arrested?'
Quick as a fash and in spite of the
warning looks of the sergeant, John
Griggs, who had UP to that time remain
ed in the background. stepped forward
and held up before Editor Van Courtney's
eyes yellow telegraph slip on which was
written in glaring blue pencil the mes
sage:
Girl in stereotype room. XIII herP'
The last two words stood out in all the
hideousness of the great blue pencil marks
with which it was inscribed. For the min
ute Francis Van Courtney was stagger-
ed then the righteousness of the situa-
ton burst upon him and he smiled.
ooh that's all right" said he IT am