Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-04-12

"She's out. guess" he said, "or the
door wouldn't be open. She's got no
way to lock 1t on the outside. The
locks broken. It's dark enough in
here, isn't it?'
1t was dark enough, though Mr..
Mitchell observed that the enc window
in the room was obscured by neither
blind. shutter nor shade. No light
entered. because there was no light
that could find a way In.
"1'll strike light" said the crimi-
nal Have you n match" Mr.. Mitchell
handed him his match safe, and in n
few minutes smoky lamp was dimly
Illuminating the room.
what have we here?" exclaimed Mr..
Mitchell ms soon as he could make out
anything in the room. Then advanc-
ing, he leaned down and examined the
object which had attracted his atten-
tion.
why. it is woman" he cried. "And
she is hurt There is blood here!''
Blood cried Preacher Jim, arous-
cd to sudden state of excitement
which astonishcd Mr.. Mitchell. He
brought the lamp and, STOPPING down,
turned the woman over, so that the
dim light fell upon her face. Then,
with the enraged cry of a wild beast,
he jumped up, crying:
at is my mother. my mother! She
has been murdercd--murdered, tell
you | will kill the man who did this.
DO you hear? | will kill him. I will
tear his heart out with these hands
while ii is yet warm! You think |
could not. do you?'
He leaned over Mr.. Mitchell mcna-
cingly. his eyes ablaze with fury. and
it seemed that but n move, n word,
might make him vent his rage at once
in some bloody act. But much of the
danger was not even apprehended by
Mr.. Mitchell, for he was looking down.
examining the woman. trying to find
whether the beating Of her heart had
ceased. At this iuucturc, perhaps just
in time to save himself from the effects
of the temporary mania into which his
companion had been plunged by the
sight Of his mothers blood. he looked
up and said
''She is not dead. Her heart beats"
Preacher Jim was instantly trans
formed. He set down his lamp and
dropped 10 the floor, where on his
knees he hastily felt for the heart
beating, then placed his ear close tc
hear its throb, meanwhile speaking
Historically:
mot dead! Thank Cod Let me see
Let me see! You might be lying tc
me! Where is the heart? There.
have it. ] have it, Yes, yes. it is
beating. Let me listen, Sh-h-h-h
Yes, | hear it! She's alive. alive! We
are in time! But that blood-whert
does it come from? She is bleeding tc
death, man, don't you see? She is
bleeding to death. 1t Is dreadful t.
see your mother bleeding like that
What can we do?'
"She has fallen and struck hel
head" said Mr.. Mitchell. "She has los
great deal Of blood and has tainted
That is ALL think. The wound Is no
bad. hut it may need few stitches
You go for a doctor, and / will tax,
care OF her while you are away.
have mad some experience will
wounds and l promise you that you
mother will be alive when you return
Hurry, now. and bring doctor"
"a doctor? Yes, you are right.
will bring one. You say you can keel
her alive until return? That is You
promise. Very good. I will hold 20,
to 1t strictly, mind. If she dies, | will
hold you to account, and then-wel
then you will know what it means t
have Preacher Jim after you!
With wild laugh he rushed from
the room and could be heard goin
down the stairway in leaps.
TO BE CONTINUED.