Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-02-27


no longer, passed when | was startled
by a loud and terrible cry from the
house, and, looking up at the second
story window. from which the sound
proceeded, | saw n woman's figure
hanging out in a seemingly pulseless
condition. Too terrified to move, |
chung. trembling. to the tree, hearing
and not hearing the shouts and laugh
ter Of a dozen or more men who at that
minute passed by the corner on their
way TO the wharfs. | was dazed, !
was choking. and only came to myself
when sooner or later, l do not know
how soon or how late, a fresh horror
happened. The woman whom | had
just seen fall almost from the window
was a serving woman, but when !
heard another scream | knew that the
mistress Of the house was being at
tackled, and, r%iyetlng my eyes on those
windows, | bcheld the shade Of n of
them thrown back and q hand appear,
llnglng out something which fell In
the grass on the opposite shle Of the
lawn. Then the shade fell again. and,
hearing nothing further, | ran to where
the object dung out had fallen and.
feeling for It, found and picked up an
old fashioned dagger. dripping with
blood. Horrifed beyond all expression,
| dropped the weapon and drew back,
trembling, into my former place Of con-
cealment.
But | was not satisfied to remain
there. A curiosity, a determination
even. to see the man who had commit
ted this dastardly deed attacked me
with such force that | was Induced TO
leave my hiding place and even to en-
ter the house where In all probability
he was counting the gains he had just
obtained Mt the price of such precious
blood. The door, which he had not
perfectly closed behind him. seemed
TO Invite me in, and before ! had real
lied my own temerity | was standing
in the hall Of this i'll fatcd house"
The interest which up to this moment
had been breathless nov expressed It.
self in hurried CALCULATIONS and broken
words. and Mr.. Sutherland, who had
listened like one in n dream, exclaimed
eagerly and In a tor which proved
that he for the moment nj least be-
lieved this more than improbable tale:
''Then you can tell us II Philemon
was in the little room ut the momen
when you entered the houscT'
As every one there present realized
the Importance of this question. n
general movement took place, and each
and all drew nearer as she met their
eyes and answered placlSly;
"Yes: Mr.. Webb was sitting in a
chair asleep. lie was the only person
I saw"
.Oh, | know he never committed this
crime" gasped his cd friend, In n re-
lief so great that one and all seemed
to share II.
"Now | have cournge for the rest.
Go on. Miss Page"
But Miss Page paused again 10 look
ut her finger and give that sidewisc
toss to her head that seemed so un-
called for by the situation TO any who
did not know Of the compact between
herself and the listening man below.
81 hate to 90 back to that moment"
said she, "for when | saw the candles
burning on the table and the husband
of the woman above sitting there In
unconscious apathy | felt something
all. Ia .,.v- slRAaf tbof mazda mn 1nOt h.
~ sick for a moment. Then | went
right In where he was and was about
to shake his arm and wake him when !
detected n spot of blood on my finger
from the dagger | had handled. That
gave me another turn and led me 10
wipe of my finger on his sleeve"
Its a pity you did not wipe OF your
slippers, too" murmured Sweetwater.
Again she looked at him; again her
eyes opened In terror upon the face OF
this man. once so plain and lnsigniii'
cant In her eyes. but now so filed with
menace she inwardly quaked before II,
for all her apparent scorn.
shippers" she murmured.
"Dld not your feet pass through that
blood In the grass. as well as your
hands:"
She did not answer. She held him
possibly in too much scorn.
Il have accounted for the blood on
my hand" she said, not looking al
him, but AZ Mr.. Courtney. IF there Is
any on my slippers, it can be account
ed for In the same way" And she
rapidly renewed her narrative. 81 had
no sooner made my little finger clean
| never thought Of any one s%uspectlng
the old gentleman-when | heard steps
on the stairs and knew that the muir
derer was coming down and In an
other instant would pass the open dool
before which | stood.
Though | had been courageoG:
enough NJ 10 that minute. ! vas seized
10y a sudden panic at the prospect OF
meeting face TO face one whose hands
were perhaps dripping with the blood
of his victim. To confront him ther,
and then might mean death TO me, ant
| did not want 10 lie. but TO live, for
am young. Sirs. and not without ;
prospect Of happiness before me. s.
| sprang back, and. seeing no othe.
place Of conccalmcnt In the whole barr
rooal. crouchcl down In the shadow
OF the man you call Philemon. Fo
one, Two minutes. | knelt there In /;
, state OF mortal terror, while the fee
I descended. paused. started to enteI
the room where | was. hesltatcd. turn
ed AMI finally left the house"
Miss Page, wait. wait" put in thu
| coroner. You SIw him. You can tel
who this man WasE"