The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-08-19


s.antiate his claim. and. driven to des-
peration, Killed the usurper and ther
I'D. and is s.now living in seclusion to
ev8de the minins of justice
Miss Melinda tried every means IN
ter power to overhear Mr. Mortmer's
soiloQu es. so that sle might obtain
some clcw; but Tor a lon gtime her eff
fcrts were unsuccessful She failed ~
make out what he was talking about;
tut at last fortune favored her
One afternoon about O'Clock She
~as all alone. her mother being on
visit to a friend. the boardcrs. with tho
exception Of Mr. Edwin Mortimer. be-
les absent 90 their several business
dutIes ;and Mr. Mortimer was In his
room, and Miss TubDs was 10 the kitch-
en- kueadug doug for pie crust.
She was SOFTLY warhlng TO herself
some delightful melody when she was
startled by shou. that evidently pro-
ceeded from the room occupied by the
mysterious boarder.
She listened inieuuy aud presently
the shout was repeated with double
yigor.
What can that be?" she asked her.
sci. trembling. hut at last curiosity
ovfrcame her fears. oud rejecting her
FIRST Instinct which was TO rush ON.
i5to the street and scream "Pollcel'
she ereP upstairs and quietly listened
The door Of Mr. Mortimer's room wa,
aiar very slightly. though 80 she could
see nothing, but could hear very plain
y. And this was what sue heard:
First a sigh, then q groan. followed
by heartrcndng soO-Mr Mo, timer
racing the room hurriedly meanwhile.
Miss Melinda held her breath ana lis
tened intently.
oh no, l cannot! clJeo Mr.. Morti-
ner, in tone Of despaii Il cannot
tnye these visions from my mindl
-hey haunt me night and day. 9'Aeir
pale faces follow me everywhere. and
cannot shut my eyes to the truth"
Melinda listened. horror-struck. hard
" able to keep from screaming aloud.
He is haunted" she thought, fear
fully "He has committed some great
crime knew IT."
Done in a moment Of passion" con-
tnued Mr. Mortimer, in sepgichral
torc that curled Melinda blood to hear
but how could refrain. when he
bc asted to my face OF the triumph be
ttd won? ! struck him to my feet like
dog, and now see him everywhere
must rid myself OF this spectcr This
bcttle--" (Mss Melinda became frozen
w:h horror as she heard him draw the
c'Ik from a bottle. He was going TO
commit suicideD Contains The medi-
cine that can drive these visions from
my brain Farewell, false-hearted
wcsld, tarewelli"
Melinda gave utterauce to yell OF
horror and rushed into the room IN
time to see Mr.. Mortimer standing be-
fure the minrror ath his nar very
nuch disheveled and holding bottle
in his hand. She promptly knocked the
.oltle ont OF bis hand and cried:
Don't kill yourser. for my sake!"
Mr.. Mortimer looked at her wonder
Iiasly.
III you do I'll have you arrested"
.sid Melinda rather nonsensically. in
her excitement
Mr.. Mortimer burst out laughing.
Whats the matter with you he
inquired. holding his sides. "Dld you
think / was going 10 kill myself. actual.
liy
"Of course did" said Melinda, puz
zled. Weren't your
= must have done pretty good, said
Mr.. Mortimer o a low tone, to himself
well, not exactly" he continued
aloud. answering Mclinda's question
IL you are doubtful, pick up the bot
Iut."
Mss Tubbs did SO. and saw that It
was an empty hair oil bottle.
"You see said Mr Mortimer. smil-
Ing, Il could not kill myself vita thai,
even if choose"
Then why did you carry on in that
usuuer?" demanded Melinda, sternly
Indignant at hnding that she had not
performed any heroic act, after all.
"Whal manner asked Mr MORT
mer
farewell to the world.