The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-10-22


ing beside her II an seemed the worE
of an instant. and ere could realize
anything vas over.
Mechanically I closed the slide oil
my apparatus. uttered a loud cry and
ran forward. The thrust had been
deadly sure. and the girl had ceased
10 breathe. The horror Of it came
over me so strongly that had fain.
feeling and could hardly articulate.
but my cry had attracted attention
and In a few moments the hall was
full OF people. talking and gesticulat-
ing violently. telling some story. He
was much excited, but seemed calm be-
side the others as his soft. voluhle
Italian flowed on.
My knowledge Of the language was
very slight. but the scownng faces
soon turned upon me made me realize
that the wretch was laylng the guilt
Of the murder at my door was
young and inexperienced. a stranger
in the place, and ] even remembered
that the official from whom ] had got
ten my permit was temporarily absent
my sensations were far from pleas,
ant. as the officers of the law arrived
on the scene and took us both into
custody To add to my misfortune I
was bound to admit that the stiletto
used exactly resembled the one / had
so recently purchased, as a curiosity
which was now missing from the
pocket Of the oYercoat where had
put it,
The other man when questioned
made a plausible story. saying that We
both were admirers Of the unfortu-
nate girl but pledgiug faith 10 me. for
the purpose of extorting money from
the rich foreigner her affections were
really his. A connection Of the Gus
todian of the palace she succeeded in
obtaining entrance and made an ap-
pointment to meet him, he having
formerly been an employe That I had
obtained knowledge OF the proposed
interview, purchased stiletto (the
shopman was produced who swore 70
having sold the dagger and followed
Further, that on some false pretext
also had obtained admission and, COM
ing behind them as they were pass
ing through the hall. had fatally in
jured my victim. Corroborated in one
or two points by other witnesses, the
story seemed credible. the case looked
lll for me. and repeated assurances
that / had never seen either Of the
parties before were not understood Or
credited The purchase Of the stiletto
I could not deny, and that seemed the
clearest eircumstantial evidence
"a night spent in confinement did
not seem 10 raise nay spirits, every
thing looked very black TO me and
was almost In despair, when, Sudden.
ly. a ray Of light broke In on my dark
ness. and for the FIRST time since the
trouble began I bethought me Of my
camera. If only 1t had not been stolen
and could again secure it possibly II
might bear silent testimony in my
favor
"By entreaties and hribes. I sue
ceeded in getting hold Of someone who
spoke English and in interesting him
sufficiently to make diligent search fot
my apparatus, which was secured and
brought to me. With trembling fingers
] went through the necessary pro.
cesses OF developing my picture, and
there ghostly, but still visible, was
the evidence | sought.
In the center OF the stairway
through which It could be plainly seen
was a mere film Of a group which the
sensitive plate had caught-the girl
as she ran, the man behind her with
the uplifted stiletto in his hand-un-
mistakable. damnatoryl It has faded
now and you are near-sighted, but it
was clear enough then TO be recog-
nized and to save me.
The girl had made an appointment
with her lover, whose jealousy had
been wildly, and it seemed not un-
foundedly. excited by her acceptance
OF the attentions OF another man.
Coming to meet her, the arst lover
had chanced 70 pass where my coat
was lying. and, finding the stiletto. had
possessed himself Of It. His intention
had not been to murder her, as was
evident from his not bringing his own
weanon but talk with her had excited