The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-19
Xiyl.
Ferry Lights.

There could be but one reason for this
message from the district attorney.
had identified myself too closely with the
Gillespie case not to have attracted the
notice of the police. I was about to be
called upon to explain; and, while
shrank from the task, I could not but ac-
knowledge to myself that the time for
such explanations had come; that the
burden then weighing upon me was too
heavy to be borne any longer unassist ed.
But the explanation have thus al
luded to would cost me Hope. Never
would she forget through whose instru
mentality the man she loved had been
betrayed to his DOOM
1t was now raining hard. and the chill
which this gave to the atmosphere was
,sensibly felt by us both as we stepped
out into9the air. At the suggestion of the
officer accompanying me. I had provided
myself with a heavy "overcoat. It stood
me in good stead that night. much more 50
than l had any reason for anticipating
when donned it. -. Ga
| The ride down town was hurried and
without incident. I entered the district
attorneys Office about 8 O'Clock, and found
him in close conversation with Mr. Gryce.
Both showed relief at seeing me.
| This did not add to my satisfaction, and
| when the detective rose and | noticed
his composed aspect and the somewhat
| startling fact that the wrinkle which
| had so long observed between the brows
had entirely disappeared | experienced
a strange sensation of dread only to be
accounted for by the delicate nature of
the sympathy which bound me to Hope
| Meredith. For the moment was Leigh
! ton Gillespie, conscious of guilt and
| quailing under the quiet eye of this old
| detective
This sensation, odd and thrilling as it
was, did not cease with the first sight OF
this man. It followed me with more or
less insstence through the whole of this
memorable night, ocCasioning me- | have
no doubt. a more poignant anguish and
more intolerable share in the grief and
| suspense Of the woman most affected
than Leighton Gillespie himself would
have felt or did feel when the whole
| power of the law was brought to bear
upon him.
But these feelings with all their sub
consciousness of another's suffering, die
/ not interfere with my outward composure
and l may here remark in passing that
l learned a lesson from this experience
which has proved of great use to me ir
my profession. However true it may be
that sudden shock reveals the hidden mo-
tions of the heart, it is also true that q
man, if he is a man. may be the victim
of the keenest internal struggle without
abating a jot of his natural manner, OF
showing by look or gesture the wild con.
tention raging within him. This l have
learned, and I no longer gauge mans
internal sensations by his outward ap
pearance.
| The district attorney was not slow il
making me understand what he wanted
of me.
After the necessary civilities had passed
he told me bluntly that he had heard o
my visit to Mother Merry's and of tn
conversation l had held there with
young woman against whom warran
of arrest had for some time been mad
out AS by this interview l had BEEF
rendered competent to identify her. woul
be good enough to accompany the Off
GERS who were about to attempt her ar
rest? failure in Selling the right cir
would at this stage of the affair be fata
to the successful progress OF the i'm
portant matter at present engaging them
What could l say? My position at tn
best required explanation, and any hest
| tation I might show towards aiding tn
police in their legitimate task Nigh
? easily be construed not only. to my ow
: disadvantage, but to that of the man j
4 whose behalf / showed resistance. In
deed. there was nothing left for me bu
acauiescense, hard and uncongenial as
D found it.
t 81 am at your service l returned
1 But, first should like to. explain