Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1899-11-03


mental scroll work. and if there's bit
of it loree I'll find it and what's behind
1t too. In the gathering dusk he took
rule from his pocket and measured six
feet from the ground on the portion Of
the wall not covered by the bookcases
and found that that was exactly the
height Of the ornamental scroll work on
the paneling. Then. with portable
electric lamp and large magnifying
glass, he carefully examined the cary
ing. Presently he came to piece where
join in the wood could be discerned.
and, pulling il forward. a panel some
eight inches or ten inches long came
with it. disclosing narrow space be-
hind. in which lay small leather cev-
cred volume. Darrent took the book ont
and pushed back the panel then. seat
ing himself in one Of the corners by the
fireplace, proceeded to read:
JOSIAH MARsDEN's $ DIARY
PARIS. Oct ., 1S1l.-Back in my
hotel at last. and now can pause and
think Of what l have gone through in
this accursed city, Paris the city of
light Bah Paris. the city of DEATH
Was II fancy or did each passerby
shun me as l walked through the de-
serted streets this morning? Did they
see murder in my eye. the coming brand
OF Cain upon my forehead? Let me
write clearly what has befallen me- SO
that if. it should ever chance that this
Is read IT may speak in my defense. Ii
may show at least that l am not an as
sassin by choics. but by circumstances.
Who can say what guides us to our
tater If there had been seat nj the
opera tonight. ! nnould not be what
am now. But the opera is a great sue
cesso there was not a seat 10 be had.
and so strclled about until lost N.Y.
self in the labyrinth Of squalid streets
and alleys on the south side of the river
Suddenly scream broke out upon the
night, the cry Of woman, proceeding
from house in darkness, save for an
upper story where beam of light cut
pathway through the blackness. 1t
would have been well il had passed
on unheeding but without thinking l
pushed to the entrance. 1t was open,
and l sped up the shaiy staircase and
pushed open door upon the third floor
wv a. i4Siibi AOb u SoiliQ IJuStU,
resolute, and then felt the cold barrel
Of a pistol against my temple. A dozen
hands held me powerless while my arms
were tied to my sides.
"Who is itf'' l gasped.
''Shoot, you fool. shoots" a man re-
piled, and gave myself up for lost
1T Is n pig of an Englishman, one
growled, and then there arose "a sub
dued mutter of voices in German which
could not follow
why did you come here - some one
asked in French
Il thought heard scream"
."You're spyl'
''Why dent you shoot instead Of
talking?"
What's the good of thats What are
we to do with the bodyf'
Once more the consultat tion was held
Now and again l caught word in
French, but most Of the language was
In German, with occasionally n sentence
in an unknown tongue. Perhaps 1t was
Russian.
And all this time l was securely
bound, with not glimnler Of light to
piisN bt'F WIZ lily d~NAiidHtS were. Lie
consultation became mere excited. and
then at last il subsided into grunts. and
some one addressed me again.
lyon have pat yourself in this posi-
ton he said. speaking in French,
with a foreign twang. ..by interfering
in other peoples business. You will be
allowed to depart my heart beat
wildly when you have become one
of us. -
.tWho are you :"
THAT will not concern You IL you
were born under a lucky star If not.
you will have cause to know. We are
about to draw lots with an object y
The pistol barrel touched my temple
again.
will you share in the drawing or
say goodby to lifef''
What do we draw forf" gasped
in terror
ITO decide who shall kill the dangh-
ter Of a traitor. We never kill the cul-
prit hinelf Our revenge IL more ingen-
ious. We leave him to the last. Do
You consent to become one Of us In this
lottery" ?"
NO" faltered. and then ere the
word had left my lips, SO strong Is the
love Of life. relented and gaspod.
Yes"
Then draw
A box was placed underneath riy
hand. and again voice cried. Draw
| thrust in my hand and drew out a
small marble.
..You have had a fair chance. :" the
same voice said. ''Yoa are the first
There are 80 white balls and red =
And still we were In darkness az the
box went round
A lamp was lighted. a lamp only
throwing small circle Of light upon a
black table. and each man approached.
held his hand in that circle and open
ed IT,
White. white. white. white knew
mine was the red. l felt il burning my