The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-11-24

lace handkerchief. and I never catch
the. scent OF heliotrope now, though
many years have gone by since /,
.fioated to my nostrils that night, with.
out the scene recurring to my mind
most vividly. Ss
It was clear to me- that my father
was now acting under the influence d
some crest terror. His face al white
and rigid. There were beads OF per
SEPARATION on his forehead, and ever and
I anon he glanced at the window al
| though expecting an attack. He
stopped once more and put his fingers
beneath. the left flap OF the mans
coat, but scarcely had he touched the
clothing than he drew them back
quickly, and / saw upon them that
which told me how the ma had come
to his end.
I felt my fathers terror communicate
ing itself to me. I looked for him to
rush from the place and summon the
police: I could scarcely refrain from
shouting, or screaming, to break the
awful silence, and I had well-nigh
come to the end Of my self-control
when he whispered: y
Get back to the room above.
Quick!"
I needed no second bidding. and as I
few up the stairs two at a time. I
could hear him locking the door of the
room wherein the man lay.
He followed me closely,
DRESS yourself" said he. sharply, as
I stood there s%hivering with terror and
cold. Dress yourself, and put your
old clothes into your portlnanteau. I'll
collect my papers and things" and in
less than a quarter of an hour we
stood, baggage in hand, ready to de-
part ffom the ill-omened house.
"Are you going to inform the po-
lice?" I asked, as he took up the can
die. ~ 4ea4
He put it and his bag down..
"Listen to me, Jack" he said. 81
mayn't have much time to give you
advice in the morning; but if you set
any value on my life or any store by
your own, you'll tell a soul what
you've seen tonight. If we appear in
this case. our lives would probably not
be worth a days purchase. I shall
contrive in some way or other to send
the police here. We can't do the poor
fellow below any good"
do you know him?" I asked.
mo; I have seen him before, but l
found something beside him that tells
me plainly enough who planned the
deed"
"Then why not tell?"N
ct can't explain to you, Jack; you
must trust me, absolutely. I am act
ing for your interest," so pull yourself
together. You've been, a plucky boy:
don't break down nov. We must get
away. from this, and we mustn't let
anyone see us going"
He blew out the light; and we
CROPPED our way down stairs and past
that door, and I was thankful when
we found ourselves in the street and
felt the cool night air on u faces. 1t
was nearly - O'Clock, but, after a long
walk, we found shelter in a lodging
house near Tottenham Court Road,
and I was glad to nestle down in bed.
and, pulling the sheet over my head, I
tried to forget the awful sight I had
seen, and at last fell asleep.
When I awoke it was broad daylight
and I was alone. I looked about me,
and on the table saw a small packet
duOTSSSeu COI VAS DSdh. 0oA'
opened it, and found within a letter
written in pencil, and as I read and re-
read it until I knew every word Of it,
and as it explains my position exactly,
cannot do better than reproduce 1t
here, as nearly as possible.
".My dear son." it began, without
mention of day or place, you will be
surprised when you find that I have
left you, and you will be still more so
when I tell you that it is utterly inn
possible for me to say when we sha
foregather again. We have been such
close companions for so many years
that our parting causes me the great
est pain. You have been a lad Of grit
"a boy after my own heart. Be brave
now, and comfort yourself with the
thought that at this crisis Of u af-
fairs I am trying to act the part of a
loving father as earnestly and faith
fully as ever I did when we were to-
gether. y
.Is am leaving England at once, and
my fight is connected with the awful
event of which you have just been a
witness. I thought at first that my
enemy had found me out, but, on re-
llCGl1O1l, DdtS SOAAAC1SO ~
that 1t is only a coincidence that what
happened to that poor man should
have happened in the house where y
CHANGED to be. Still, it is a warning to
me. I would stay and take my chance,
but that for your sake life is very pre-
cious to me now, and I shall be able,
Just as well, at a distance. to bring to
maturity certain schemes that Will Ell.
rich you.
"My dear, dear boy. I can under.
stand how puzzled you will be by all
these mysterious hints at hidden dam
ger; but i'll explained matters fully
I should be laying, upon your young
shoulders a burden that has CALLED
mine for years, andbI should be mar
ring the brilliant career which I be-
lieye lies before you. Why not seek
the protection Of the police? you may
ask. My dear boy. the police could
give us no help years ago and they
can give none now. Rest assured that
whenever 1t is safe for ms to do 90. q
shall. rejjoih you:s Il but until that shappy
hour arrives you must be guided By
me. and follow out the directions I am
about to give you, &.
"Yous will find a purse under your
pillow, with plenty OF money for your.
present needs. / want you to axe
your way without any delay to Ken
daII,. III Westmorland. You will travel
from Eustor, and i advise you to 50 I
the station by 'bns. on change az OK
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