Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-13

sued such struggle as hope shall
never see again, while we others
stood looking on as if we were bound
hand and foot. The whole affair
could not have lasted more than a
few moments, and yet it seemed like
an eternity. Kitwater, with the
strength of mailman, had seized
Hayle round the waist with one arm,
while his right hand was clptchfig
| at the others throat I saw that
the veins were standing oute4 upon
Hayle's forehead like black Il cords.
| Do what he could, he could not shake
off the man he had so cruelty
wronged. They swayed to and fro,
and in one of their lurches struck
the window, which flew open and
threw them into the balcony outside.
Codd and the Sicilian police official
| gave loud cries, but as for me / could
not have uttered sound had my
| life depended on it. Hayle must have
realized his terrible position, for
there was look of abject, hopeless
terror upon his face. The blind man.
of course, could see nothing of his
danger. His one desire was to be re-
venged upon his enemy. Closer and
closer they came to the frail rail-
ing. Once they missed it, and stag
gered foot away from it. Then
they came back to it again, and
lurched against it. The woodwork
snapped, and the two men fell over
the edge on to the sloping bank be-
low. Still locked together, they
rolled over and over, down the de-
clivity towards the edge of the cliff.
A great cry from Hayle reached our
ears. A moment later they had dis
appeared into the abyss, while we
stood staring straight before US, too
terrified to speak or move.
Leglosse was the first to find his
voice.
my God!" he said, chow terrible!
how terrible!"
Then little Codd sank down, and,
placing his head upon his hands on
the table, sobbed like little child.
what is to be done?" asked, in a
Mortified whisper.
|
for Them" said the Sicilian officer,
"but l doubt if we shall be able to
find them; the sea is very deep off this
point"
We went. Kitwater's' body was dis
covered, terribly mutilated, upon the
rocks. Hayle's remains were never
found. Whether he fell into the deep
water and was washed out to sea, or
whether his body was jammed between
the rocks under the water, no one
would ever be able to say. 1t was
gone, and with it all that were left
of the stones that had occasioned their
misery.
! Codd did not accompany us in the
search, and when we returned to the
villa above he was not to be found.
Never since he moment when we left
him sobbing at the table have set
eyes on him, and now, suppose, in
all human probability l never shall.
Later on we returned to Palermo to
break the news to Miss Ilitwater.
Shocked though she was, she received
the tidings with greater cal,nness
than l had expected she would do.
Perhaps, after all, she felt that it was
better that it should have ended So
Three years have elapsed since we
paid that terrible visit to Palermo.
1t may surprise you, or it may not,
j when say that l am now married
man, Margaret Kitwater having con-
sented to become my wife two years
ago next month. The only stipula-
ton she made when she gave her de-
cision was that upon my marriage |
Should retire from the profession in
which had so long been engaged. As
had done sufficiently well at it to war
rant such step, l consented to do so,
and now l lead the life of country
gentleman. 1t may interest some peo-
pie to know that certain day-dream,
once thought improbable, has come
true, inasmuch as considerable por-
ton of my time is spent in the little
conservatory which. as have said else
where, leads out of the drawing-room.
usually wear soft felt hat upon
my head, and as often as not have a
pipe in my mouth. Every now and
then Margaret, my wife, looks in upon
me, and occasionally she can be per-
suaded to bring young Fairfax with
her, who, some people say, resembles
his father. For my own part prefer
that he should be like his mother
! whom, very naturally, l consider the
best and sweetest woman in the world
THE END.
. | -----------.-----------
Cheap Railroad Rates for May Meet
ines.
For the national Baptist anniversa
ries to be held in ST. Paul May 1925
next, the Iowa Central railway will sell
. tickets at the very low rate Of one fare
} plus So for the round trip. Sale dates
are May Is, 10 and 20, limited return
. ing May 30 Depositing ticket with
, joint agent at st. Paul and paying sc
. cents will secure extension of tickle,
Ifp lima 90 Fine phapoo RI boor Joo =