The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-06-22
THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY,
BY RODRIGUES OTTOLENGUI.
Author nf An artist IN Crime" ""1 Copeic, NJ
Erfdcncc," n Modern Uizard,"
Final Proof" Etc.
Copyright, lso6, by C. r. Putnam's Sons. All
rights rcscrvcd.l

Mr.. Mitchell assisted her to rise, but
she uttered wild shrick of pain,
which made him fear that she had
suffered some internal injury. and
therefore he quickly carried her over to
the cot and placed her in rccumbcnt
position, that she might be at case, If
possible. She rolled over and lay groan-
ing for some minutes, but soon grew
quiet again and then asked for some
more water.
'And just put drop of whisky in
It," she added. 'It braces me uD
when l feels bad. It's in the brown
bottle"
The bottle was easily found on the
shelf. and the draft did indeed add to
her strength. for she would have risen
again had not Mr.. Mitchell prevented
her.
come again." said he.
rOh, yes! | forgot" She was silent
for moment, then added wcarily: at
don't matter. I'm dying anyway, so
what's the odds?"
"YOu are not going to die, my good
woman" said Mr.. Mitchell. you must
not have such notions. But tell me
what happened to YOU"
81 was up stairs to see n ncighbor,
and coming down I went blind all Of
a sudden
"You went blindT"
"Ycs. My eyes have been bad for a
long time, and the sight just went from
me. guess it amt coming back ne-
ther, for I'm blind now. But it wont
matter for n day or two, If live as
long as that, which amt likely"
ut Is dreadful. Of coulsc, to lose
ones sight, but why do you say that
you are dying"
Because l am; that's why. When |
lost my sight, staggered like, and
then fell down the stairs to the land
Ing outside my own door. l managed
to crawl in, but then the blood choked
me, and tainted, guess"
"Why, what are you saying? How
could the blood from your head choke
you"
"Yes; l know my heads cut, too, but
that ain't the main trouble. Some
things broken inside Of me, and a lot
Of blood came up into my mouth, and
that's what choked me-"
::spme small vessel perhaps" said
Mr. Mitchell reassuringly. "It emptied
itself, and then the hemorrhage ceased.
1t has not come on again. which is n
favorable symptom. We have sent for
doctor. and he will take proper care
Of you. Meanwhile take some more
whisky. 1t will sustain you until he
reaches here"
'4'll take the whisky because l like
1t, morc's the pity. But it's not the
doctor want; it's priest"
"Why do you want priest?"
Because ! have something on my
mind that must be told before die. So
bring n priest"
Mr.. Mitchell could not resist the
temptation to say:
"Ifyou have anything to tell, confide
1t to me-"
"Are you priest"
''No. but / am your sons friend"
.'Then you are crook, and no crook
Is ever n true friend"
"You are wrong. I ana not a crook.
am Q gentleman"
pffa. haW she laughed. "There are
gentlemen crooks and crooked gentle
men. If I could only see your face,
l could tell. You couldn't fool Old
Mag. Wait! Give me your hands.
Sol" She took his proffered hand and
felt It with both Of hers and then add.
ed: "As fine as silk. You're gentle
man born anyway. Ill trust you.
must tell somebody, for | doubt IL I'll
live through the night. Besides. II
Matthew came back he'd stop me-"
y"Wbo is Matthew"
'.Aly son."
::But is not his name Jim-Preacher
Iim%
"Yes; you are right--Jlm, Of course.
7 was thinking of something else. Now
give me some more whisky, and I'll
tell you the story"
"Here 1t Is. Take some from time
to time. suppose you are used to itT'
'"Usedto It? Why, I've drunk enough
in my time to swim in. And why not?
When good girl goes to the bad, she
must either drown herself or her con-
science. That's nature"