The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-06-29
THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY,
By RODRIGUEs OTTOLENGUI.
Author cf An artist IN Crime" "A Conflict of
Evidence" ~ Modern JYixard"
Final Proof" Etc.
copyright. 1896, by C. 2. Futnam's Sons. All
rights reserved.l

Mr. Mitchell had gone to the shelf
md opened the box, and as she heard
him rummaglng through the miscella-
neous lot Of trash her anxiety had
grown so that she had raised herself
up intbcd and. forgetful Of her blind
ness. was gazing toward him, while her
words flowed fast and fevcrishly until
mt last she was forced to stop because
OF another gush Of blood from her
mouth. Mr.. Mitchell had just found the
papers when lie heard her groan as she
sank back on the cot. One glance show
ed him that she was now In n desperate
condition. and, thrusting the packet in
to his breast pocket, he fastened to her
assistance.
At this opDortune moment the door
burst open, and Preacher Jim rushed
In, followed by the DOCTOR
"Is! she allve? cried Preacher Jim,
rushing up and falling to his knees
beside his mother. "My God, where
does nll that blood come from?"
''She has been doing very we'll until
Just n moment ago." said Mr.. Michel,
when this hcmorrhage came on"
''She tells me, doctor, that she became
suddenly blind and fell on the stairs.
She thinks she has injured herself in
ternally and stated that she had n flow
OF blood from the mouth before her
son and myself came in. fear this Is
q serious case"
~ will examine and see," said the
doctor. But first we must stop this
blood"
He prepared some medicine, which
he poured into the woman's mouth,
md In n few minutes she was COM
pnrativcly ut ease again, the hemor-
rhage having been controlled. Then
the doctor proceeded to make a thor
ougii examination.
Il am afraid that n rib Is broken"
said he, "and that 1t impipges on the
lung. or else that there is q ruptured
vessel My advice Is that she be re-
to the hospital as soon as possi-
ble."
"If you would prefer" said Mr..
Mitchell, speaking to Preacher Jim, who
was now standing by, gazing ut his
mother, with jaws firmly set and all
the muscles Of his body at tension,
~ will have your mother taken to my
house, where no expense shall be
spared in the endeavor to save her
life. What do you sayT
Preacher Jim made no reply, but the
doctor said:
The hospital will be Infinitely the
best place for her. IL you choose to
pay for her attendance, why, Of course.
YOU may do 50. But charity patients
are treated with the same care and
skill ut our institution as are the
wealthiest."
II mn sure Of 1t, DOCTOR" said Mr..
Mitchell courteously. II was merely
anxious to consult the sons wishes in
the matter. What do you say, Jim"
Mr.. Mitchell touched Preacher Jim
on the arm before he appeared to no
tice. Then he growled out:
'What does 1t matter where she diesq
She's dying. That Is plain enough.
DO rs you like, only make her COM
: Portable. That is all that ask"
With these words he turned and
went to the window, where he stood
staring out until the ambulance had
been summoned and the men were
carrying the woman down the steep
stairway as tenderly as possible. AS
Mr.. Mitchell was about to follow he
turned and spoke to Preacher Jim.
"Win you not come with usT" said
he. bst u gEsas.
"Yes,"he replied. Then, clutching
Mr. -AfItehel's sleeve. he detained him
a moment. "You were born under n
lucky Stan Mr, Mitchell. You promised
that my mother would be alive on my
return. see now that she might
have died through no fault OF yours.
Had Il been so think that one Of my
Ats would have come upon me. and
then-then your life would have been
the forfeit; that's all. ! am glad you
were able to keep your promise, glad
for your sake and my own"
II made, you another promise. which
I will also keep. You shall never re-
grct having left me with your mother.
] am your friend"
yE-F--
CHAPTER XII.
1rS nrrru