Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-04-26
NEW SERIES, VOL. XxXIII, NO. II.

the dim shadows cast by the waning
moon AS he was passing across the
Piazza de Farnese he heard low voice
speaking:
$50 we meet againl,'
BE halted. She, his new acquaint-
anoe, was beside him.
''Signmal You here at this hour and
alone? Where are your friends?''
She smiled. "You will walk with me
to the street below, will you notP''
Certainly. But your friends their
care1esness is criminal' -
They walked through the square and
down several streets almost in silence.
Presently she stopped before the en-
trance of a house.
Here. signorP' she said.
Almost multaneousIy she swayed
forward and caught his arm, at the
same time uttering a smothered cry.
:" You are hurt r. he exclaimed anx-
iously. lyon have twisted your ankle
ON those wretohed stones.
81 fear sop She pressed her hand
upon her bosom and looked into his eyes
with mute appeal
You cannot walk. " He stopped and
gathered her up into his arms ST will
carry you. Which door9
tThe fourth, - she replied, her face
flushing as the light of the early day
fell upon it
A drowsy janitor answered his ring.
He assembled the first flight of stairs
without pausing, carrying her as
nurse might child, happy at the deli
cious touch of her bare arms against
his neck as she olasped him.
On the second flight ascent was not so
easy. Her weight grew heavier, and
the head that had now fallen on his
shoulder pressed like ball of iron, her
arms were relaxing their clasp and lay
against his neck with startling cold
ness She seemed to be letting herself
go, and at each step grew heavier in
proportion.
he was no longer carrying lissome
maiden, but something burdensome
and horrible something that was bear
ing him down and suffocating him with
sensation as though his chest was
bursting.
On the third landing he felt her slip
ping.
'Signora, I" he faltered.
He sought torenew his hold, but the
burden, now dead weight, slid from
his arms, and she fell with a heavy
thud to the floor.
What noise is thisP'' called mas
culine voice in italian.
Carson began a hasty explanation to
the man, whose head protruded from
partially open door.
The man came forward and bent over
her.
'she does not belong here, - he said.
"She is a stranger. She is pale as death.
Unfasten her clothing. She must have
tainted. Where is the janitor? The
fooll He never is here when he is need
ed Call him, signor, and send for a
physician. His hasty hand broke the
knot of ribbon that confined her bodice.
With wild exclamation he instantly
loosened his hold on her dress and start
ed backward The full throat and white
bust were exposed. There were deep
blush purple bands around the throat
and gaping dagger wound, dark with
coagulated blood, on the snowy bosom.
Their cries aroused the janitor, who
hastened to call the police. Presently he
returned, painting up the stairs, accom-
panied by an officer. Carson drew aside
the curtain, and the bright light of day
fell upon the body.
"Holy VirginI" cried the policeman
as he saw the dead woman.
"Can you identify her?'' asked Car
son.
Eyes, +" returned the man. "She is
the woman who was found murdered
on the Corso night before last. How
came she here?''-M. NJ. Hahn in Argo-
naut.