The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-28
THE STAIRWAY.
BY LErcH NORTH.

'That picture holds a tragedy" said my friend Benson, thoughtfully, and his eyes had the retrospective look which tells that other scenes than the present are before them. Literally mean," he added.
 l looked increduously at the faded pho tograph in my hand: It was grand old palace whose fine curving lines and the sweep of its magnificent balustrade were q delight to the eye. Two erouching lions I tried to brush away little mist or You cant do it." he said, q owe my life: or rather. my liberty to that"
 Whats the story?'' l asked.
 Evidently 1t was rather a painful mem- ory. for he answered with some reluc- tance.
 There was a murder committed there "Impossible!' l exclaimed.
 'It is difficult to credit, grant you. He drew up his tall figure and sort of pallor came over his face. T can never forget it!''
 Let it go. old fellowi cried seeing the. effect upon him, but I confess my curiosity was strong and excited.
 'No.' he said with a slight effort II have brought it on myself and it Is only fair you shall hear 1t. I ought to put the picture away If I don't want to be So we turned to the fire, relit our ei- gars, and, picture in hand. he began.
 Tt was many years ago. on my first trip to Italy. and I had with some difii- culty. obtained permission to look at the | inside of one of the old Genoese palaces, seldom visited, and to take q photograph of the stairway, which you see Is an ex- ceed!ngly beautiful one. I had a special fancy for architectural bits then.
 On my. way to the palace: passing their quaint little box-ships. I stopped here and there. as all new corners will. to gaze in the windows at the varied show.
 called the Goldsmiths.' and each trades man vied with the other in his display of trinkets in gold and silver filigree
 h the sSrIeT y s9e S s, sy an .eto GS5tct | evidently not new one, in a case of definite intention of buying. I entered, pointed 1t out and, in my broken vocab- ulary, demanded the price. The figures | were so enormous that I shook my head and turned to leave. The Italian, seeing that I was in earnest. immediately low cred his terms. and: finally, seizing me by the coat persuaded me into making the purchase, which I thrust into my pocket and hurried on to my destination
 "The quick walk seemed to heat my blood to the boiling point, and after had showed my permit to the custodian and selected the point from which could get the best view, threw nay ligh I iastened out again. Get something must to assuaEa the tormenting thirs which had suddenly seized upon me. O the had effects of water in these regions felt some fear, but anything was bet ter than my present discomfort
 Returning. after q brief absence, I re adjusted my camera and the corner f. which I had to stand being rather dark a long exposure of the plate was neces Sdry to secure the photograph. I he lieved the house to be empty, save fo the custodian and one servant. and Ina an eerie. creepy feeling as I stood at m work as if ghosts were around. and som presentment of evil haunted me.
 Suddenly. there was a half1smothere shriek and young and pretty girl ra lightly down the stair closely followe by man. a short. thick-set fellow. wit dark clustering locks.
 She must have paused involuntarily. Fl raised something in his hand--I saw tn ! gleam of a stilleto-he plunged 1t int her body seized her in his arms. rushe to the bottom of the steps and laid he on the floor. kneellug beside her. It a seemed the work of an instant and CT | could realize anything all was over. Mechanically closed the slide of m | apparatus, uttered a loud cry and ra ]. forward. The thrust had been deadl
 Sundays story. "cooLEY's SUB" by V