The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-01-12

20 applied thought. And when there is a
ut of sentimental work on hand there is
a soft, uneven tapping, not unsuggestive
of the heart-beats Of the mystical person.
ages who are awaiting the strokes of my
pen for their literary existence
Today, although there was love story
on hand, Selena pounded away upon the
machine in manner 80 irritating and dis
turbing that at threw down my pen
and wheeled about in my chair.
Selena bore my reproa ches in silence
and as I finished she looked up at the
clock.
Tiff you please" said she. but
forgot to tell you before. The Messrs.
that they would like to have you call at
their office at quarter to 5. And 1t is
nearly that time now. Do please go now!"
The Messrs. Caddagan & Co. are my
solicitors and have ofices in another part
of the building.
Are you sure selena," asked, that 1
was to call? Did they not say that they
would come to my office at that hour?"
''Oh. no, nor urged Selena: you were to
call. And do please go now, quick! Do not
wait! 1t is time now! And II he-I mean
II they-oh, never mind, but go quick! They
want you! You will always be glad you
went" And to my amazement Selena,
now quite hysterical, almost pushed me
from my own office; and with a partial in
junction to hurry slammed the door behind
me-
l found Messrs. Caddagan & Co. in their
rooms and pleased to see me.
But they had not sent for me. Had not
even seen Selena!.
Thoroughly aroused now, I returned with
hasty steps to my office. AS 1 neared the
door l was surprised to hear loud voices;
and, as threw 1t open, l was shocked to
see Selena, clad in my cape and bonnet, and
with my parasol in her arms, clasped In the
close embrace OF a strange man. while he
talked excited1y to her. A second glance
revealed to my Mortified eyes that he was
my crazy clubman.
! have come" he was saying wildly Ito
fulfill my promise! l told you would kill
you, and this is your last minute to live"
Let me explain! Let me explain!" Sc
lena was begging.
You have said too much already" he
cried. Your words were the means Of
my imprisonment! And the only way I
see to silence you forever is to kill you
now! | intended to strangle you, but
have changed my mind! 1 am going to
shoot your
Quick as thought he whisked pistol
from his pocket, and pushing Selena at
arm 8 length from him pointed it at her
head.
Walt! Wait minute!' gasped She
AS l darted forward l was roughly
Knocked aside by a big, burly policeman
who grappled with the mailman and
overpowered him with sudden rush,
while two more policemen who followed
close after quickly disarmed him and boro
him away
And then Selena, now hvsterical and be-
tween sobs, explained that in the morn
Ing mail another wild letter had come from
the cluhman telling of his escape from the
asylum and his intention to kill me because
OF the article had written. And how She
rearing to alarm me unnecessa rily, had
said nothing about 1t, but had watched the
door all day long. And how finally, as the
hour mentioned in the letter for his ar
rival approached, she had contrived to get
me out of the way and impersonating me
In hat and cape had waited for him.
Scarcely had I left the office when he
came and looking in the little mirror she
had seen him before he got inside the door.
Quickly reaching over to the police alarm
she had sent in call after call to the pre-
cinct. Her one idea to gain time for
herself, at the same time keeping me from
entering the office, lest the mailman should
recognize me as the one whose life he was
seeking