The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-07-10
THE MARKS
 1 OF CRIME
oHsnHl

NIUnflNs lNIHM lA NN ANN AA"NAANt "Nt earth over lt. cast a glance over his shoulder. ghuddcred and hurried away.
 What was that purring behind him' uc turned and ln the road saw a white Kitten. It stood stil but when ho went on t hopped along behind him Hc could not bear that even this liv' Ing thing should follow him and, turn ing again. tried Co frighten it away It sat down on lts hind legs and looked up at him stupldly. Again he went on and. again hearing the purring. knew that the kitten was close behind him. Sc.ziug stone. be threw it; but though his missile struck within a hairs breadth of the kitten. it did not move. Sitting quietly on its hind legs and lifting one paw. it began Co lick it
 Without trying to trighten it again thc man hurried on. hoping by walking fast Co leave thc thing behind Surely such tiny legs could not travel as fast as his. His strides were long ones and followed one another in such quick succession that hls gait waa almost run. When he was quite exhausted and bis heart was beating SO fast that he feared it would burst he turned once more. expecting Co have lost the kitten. He was disappointed lt was Jumping along. each Jump ths length of one of his strides
 Then be determined. since hc could not distance lt. he would kill it Draw ln- a revolver. be took deliberate aim .rI drcd The kitten sprang aside. avoiding the bullet. and sat looking at bim mcckly out of its little soft eyes, apparently unconscious that De had tried to iuiure it He fired again. this timc wouudine his tormentor iu the toe, a slight scratch. but sufficient Co draw blood. the sight og which drove him on again with a curse. In time he recov' cred himself and. turning, fired again, wounl.uc thc kitten seriously. This time. when he went on. it lImped after him with difficulty. Nevertheless it scnt pace with him. and though he cmpticd his revolver. be failed Co kill it
 Then he determined Co catch G. He chased lt. pausiug now and ngaln to coax it. but lt was stun feet enough tc distance h.m and wary enough Co c'udc hiin. He sat down on rock and called "Kit. kit, kit" whereupon the kitten. as if it bore DO malice for its wound.ne. resumed lts favorite posi-. don on its launches and began licking ,ts bloody spots standing out crimson Hrlinst Its white coat He got up and walked slowly toward it holding out h.s hand os if Co stroke it The kitten waited until be came within reach, thcu drew back and before be could rct lls hand on it was a dozen yards away. Meanwhile he was getting back Co h.s starting point
 Then be noticed something that 6lled him with stun greater tcrror-a bloody track left by thc kitten on the road. uo looked farther on and discovered another These tracks would betray h.m He mus, catch Che little beast or bc discovered
 The kitten rau Into the trunk of a hollow tree that stood beside the road. and tc was sure he bad cogncrcd it Putting iu bis hand. be was Croping for it. when. hcgr.ug a purrIng above. hc looked. and there it was emerging from hole near thc lower branches. In despair he turned away and started up Che road. but no sooner had he left thc tree than Che kitten ran down the trunk and came after him. Making a dash for it with almost supcrhuman swiftucss be chased it tn De came Co thc spot where awhile before he had emerged from Che wood. He stopped and wrung his hands.
 Then hls tormcutor went and Sat on the heap of earth he had scroped over bis bloody handkerchief
 There were sounds in the woods, the sounds of coming men The fugitive beard and knew bis doom.
 This is the nearest point from the house" said a voice. He must have struck Che road right here"
 Look out for marks of blood" said another "Murdcrcrs never succeed in getting rid of an the traces. Like enough youu lud one on leaf or a twi-. but if irs no bigger than a pin head the microscope will tell if ito hu man"
 The murderer stood mouOnless Had he given up Co the inevitable or did he spar Co acknowledge by flight that he had committed the crimef When he lrsrl thc words of the Inst speaker he 'c,t a my of relief that the bloody -se.s of thc kitten were not human.
 suddenly to gave moan. The ooos, .o.t 900 .,s feet. us back archcd its .I pointed Co Che sky and w.th its 'rws w8s scratching way che dirt
 A man emerged rom thc road. leap d tlc creek and stood face Co face y.-l .hp fugitive.
 "TrEc me-" said the uurd"rcr "lt Is Hse.Uss Go uy co conceal the marks Of my crime. There they are. Co and get hem"
 "WhorcT
 "Uuder that cat"
 'I see TO cat"
 "lys there" pointing. "It had the shape of Kitten, white. with soft eyes Now it is black. Its eyes are glisten. Ing and splitting Gre. It Is a neud sept Co bring me back here, where l covered Cue rae. Go and get it and hang me."
 Another man emerged from the wood and stood looking at the two bcyona the creek.
 "what Is lt. JlmT Le asked
 "He sees a cat on heap that con eeols the evidence or his crime"
 eThat mound of dirt hos looking aty'