The Washington times., 1901-10-06
L p Strange Coincidence


Gus wore the approved. hunted look of
those criminals whose souls the gentle
Semplicus longed to save.
Il am afraid you are badly hurt
''Oh, I guess my wrists broken. all
right" returned the man. I'm safe
/ enough till you get the police"
Semplicus turned his mild look upon
| him-'which l shall not do
! The man closed his eyes. do what you
| like he said from his white lips; only
get it over for Gods sake"
| Il shall get you some whisky" said the
parson. How long can you stand that
pain?''
About five minutes more judge. with
out keeling.
And then ] shall lift the window, if 1
can"
From the dining-room Semplicus
| brought the stimulant and a small step
| ladder. He set the glass and bottle on
the table. and. placing the steps close
| to the window, proceeded to mount them.
Il sha INT be able to raise this far he
said, from the summit, where, red and
strained, he was trying with one rope to
lift the sash-then he stopped pushing
and turned to the person. who was look
ing up at him attentively:
I've got several things to say to you,
my friends; possibly it will be better to
say them now
For Gods sake" pleaded the other
lift the window if you can; / am dizzy.
Say what you like afterward.'
The Reverend Paul lifted the window.
The relief was so great that the man,
staggering to his feet, gave an exclama-
tion of gratitude; he covered his wrist
with his hand. and looked for means to
escape. The parson at his side held the
glass of whisky TO his lips Drink this
he commanded. The man drained it with
one generous pull. Now let me see that
hand" He touched it carefully. 1T isn't
broken" he said: its badly bruised, that
is all-the tendons are crushed
From his coat pocket the Reverend Paul
took his own handkerchief, large, fine,
and white. and, soaking it in the whisky
and water, for lack of a better dressing,
wrapped it deftly and tightly around the
injured wrist. He lifted to the face of his
patient his kind eyes, to which far-sight-
edness gave a particularly childlike ex-
preston. sit down here" He gently |
forced the other into the armchair. Let T
me say a few words to you. and then
will open the front door and bid you
goodnight You do not look or speak
like a burglar"
And l am not one, either" nodded the |
listener. although the affirmation had |
the must of ages upon it, the Reverend I
Paul believed himD 1T is my first Of
fence the man dared to say. and gazed /
frankly at the slender figure of the young !
parson, the STOPPING shoulders. the
smooth boyish face. Without his glasses,
and in his deshabile, the Reverend Paul
unusually timid and startled
Your first offence" said the gentle
voice; 1T must be your last"
rs this your house. sir?''
Yes. l am the minister; my name is
Paul Semplicus''
oh then this is the parsonage" caught
the other quickly. as one who had lost a
tral and rebound it.
Yes. kindly returned his host And
you did not know -it?'
No. / didn't mean to rob the parson-
age said the man with queer twitch
Of the lips.
when you leave me you will give me
your promise to rob no one again in your
ife"
"Again?" reproved the other. why, 1
said this was my first offence"
In which case you have not sinned as
yet" beamed his companion, "and I
hank God that you came to me. Instead
# an intruder, you are my guest" And
he Rev. Paul was fairly luminous. He
leld out his delicate hands. Il shall send
,ou away with a blessing"
The man stirred uneasily. Say" he
deprecated. ''since you are so good as to
ct me go at all, let it be soon. l shall
,e seen and caught if it gets nearer morn
ne"
You shall go in just five minutes, |
rind, said the parsOn, and at the end of |
i've minutes time he led his guest to The
r0nt door and shook the well hand good
" The man did not look again into the !
ure, benign face; he bent his eyes to
he ground. dragging his hat over his
rows. Furtively and like a shadow, he
Tipped from the porch down the garden |
Talk and away, leaving the little gate
pen.
The Rev. Paul stood Il moment on the |
threshold. his spiritual companions. his
deals like millennium-bCrn angels, sur
Ounding him; then he descended the |
teps into the cool. fresh air, walked to
he gate and back Shutting the front {
oor, he turned and went into his study {
gain, for he could not go to bed, stirred
s he was TO his very depths. and ex- {
austed by mental effort and physical I
train. 1t seemed such a wonderful gift
the worlds needs into his hands He /
ad been permitted. line for line, to prac- !
Ice his most cherished precepts Near to I
ain and temptation. the eternal struggle
nth evil had swept its dark wings across 8
is very face The salvation of ii new Il
nance. the regeneration of trust thrill t
d him through and through; il sug- a
ested a sermon to him. Sitting deep in s
he chair his guest had left vacant. his O
n hi
tted and prayed; after a little he fell k
eeply asleep. From profound slumber he G
as awakened several hours later by
oise like the sound of many waters He "
-arted up, dazed by the sudden, rushing Y
lmmons, from deep repose into a trou- 81
ous world. The room as fun of people. ol
echanically he tried to adjust his dis a
eveled attire. Molly's was among the b
ices strange and familiar that filled the a
pom, crowding around him-Moily, red, [,
eeping. shrinking as he looked at her. le
irectly before him Che had risen) stood ia
yo men IN officers dress h
The Rev. Paul Semplicus?'' al
Yes" said the parson; what has hap
.ued?' g,
Il arrest you in the name Of the law n,
J the charge of the murder of Mr. Block b,
gton.' al
The young man started back, put ou, it
5 hand as if TO ward off a blow What W
you mean?' in
His features pale as wax, his eyes livid pl
tn horror. he stood fran and staring. Al
Mr. Blockington was murdered be- or
zen and o'clock this morning." said O1
e deliberate voice. "a short time before m tI
n were seen to go hatless and in disor- -,
red attire from your gate into your ke
IN house. And the person 10 whom this ri'
longs will have to answer for NJ kt