Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1898-03-17

| v.
In the horror of my discovery had
forgotten that the Chinaman was. still
in the house. In a moment he would
be upon me, and 1 would share the
terrible fate of my sister, who must
be dead, for who could lose all that
blood and live? Being sure, then, that
she was beyond my aid, l felt that |
must try, if possible, to save my own
life. But how? Outside of the hall
window was wide stone shelf on which
we kept pot plants; near it was sta
tionary ladder which the worl1nen used
to ascend when the roof needed re-
pairing -
Il sprang lightly over the horrible
pool, ran noiselessly across the hall,
and was on the window sill getting
out when the Mongolian's head ap-
peared above the stairs. He saw me,
uttered an inarticulate, cultural sound,
and swiftly followed me. | made a
spring, reached the ladder and climbed
to the roof. would not descend to
the yard-the chances of escape were
less that way, for the wooden fence
round the yard was very high, and
as the houses on either side were un-
occupied it would be quite possible for
Eme to. be murdered without any neigh
bors hearing my cries. If once could
reach the fiat roof of our house
thought 1 would be safe, for the roofs
of the houses in our block were as
well known to me as the street. l
Was something of tomboy, and on
evenings when the cats made the night
air hideous with their concerts, Tom
and l used often to go on the roofs and
hunt them, sometimes chasing them
the whole block, he clad in his pajamas
and in my cycling suit. ......
F It was therefore an easy matter for
me to climb the ladder, but just as I
had crossed the roof and was about
to drop, myself on the next, which was
lower than; ours, the, dreaded celestial
head again .appeared, this time just
above the last rung of the ladder. Oh,
if only I hadr the power to hurl him
+ GOWN before he reached the roof
tore at the bricks in the chimney, but
E.pnt one would loosen. There was moth
ing to be|Aone ,but to ruin and to scream
in the@h6pe of attracting the attention
Of some 5passer-by on the street be-
loSF, but lyhen I opened; my mouth to
cry GIFT &nb, Sound would'come from my
parched throat. My gymnastic train
ing s9poaf sane /, ins good stead. I
ran, :drdpbea Is: i!the lower,Etoofs,
climbed to : the higher ones with
the agility of a monkey. But still
would have had no advantage over my
:ppqirs qer had 1t>;not Been: Tor my superior
knowledge of the roofs. The Chinaman
foil owed, me ,swiftfys Though 4 dared
mot look back, 7 could; hear, his quick
breathing not far behind. ~
When we got, near the end of the
block I lodged my Pursuer doubled
ontmy tracks. Fora moment he seemed
puzzled; seized the opportunity,
slipped quickly behind him, grasped his
pigtail, jerked him backward; he lost
his balance and fell on his back. Then
| ran to the edge of the roof overlook
ing the street and screamed; to my sur
prise, my voice had come back and my
scream was heard by man passing on
the opposite side. of the street. He
stopped and looked around bewi]dered.
l screamed again, and, guided by the
sound, he looked up and saw me; the
moon was just rising behind the house,
and my form was clearly outlined
against the light the moon threw before
it. But my shouting had also shown the
Chinaman my whereabouts; he had re-
coverd himself and was again after me.
| could hear his quick, animal painting
just behind me. l ran on, lie following,
but hope now gavesadded speed to my
steps; help would soon be mine; for
:: crowd ha', gathered on the street,
and seemed clearly to realize my dan
ger. Men ran to and fro. or eagerly con-
suited together, and presently a num-
Der Of workmen came along dragging a
tireman's ladder. This they: placed
against one of the houses: men
swarmed up like flies, and in less time
than it takes me to tell it the Chinaman
was secured-strangely enough he
made no resistance and did not appear
to be armed-and we were both taken
down.
When the crowd heard what the Mon
golian : had. done, they declared they
WotIld lynch him then and there. They
tore him from the policeman who had
him in charge, dragged him to the near
est tree, which was not far, for our
street was planted with trees; a rope
was brought from somewhere, and, de-
spite the wretched mans pleadings in
imprisoned Chinese. for. mercy, was
slipped around the branches. At that
moment u broad-shouldered man broke
through the crowd and demanded the
cause of the uproar. It was Tom. The
mob paused to explain. I ran to my
hr0t her c,1n,r RI h;e M, a.; Il he xuoo,,