New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1904-09-21
The Real Thing
[Original.l.

Ine gentleman On the floor below is
dead, sir"
dead? What did he die Off
Murdered"
ssYou don't mean it! Well, put my
things into that suit case. I must be
off in half an hour sharp or miss nv
train.''
While the man was packing I put in
the last words of chapter Of a story
was wriHng-for / am a slave of the
pen-then looking at my watch and
dropping my work rushed for the train.
i was going to the country to spend
Sunday with my fancee.
The next morning was bright and
beautiful. Kathryn and I strolled
away from the house and found a
shady nook where we sat looking alter
nately at a superb view and into each
others eyes.
Stephen she was saying, "do you
know lay awake last night thinking
that She paused and cast her eyes
on the ground
Thinking what, love-"
"Papa says that you and I haven't
single mutual acquaintance"
I was holding her hand. I dropped it.
''You are offended" she said, tears
starting into her eyes.
mo, hurt. You have no confidence
in me for myself; only what you may
learn from Others Suppose I should
be accused Of some dark crime, would
you stand by me with perfect faith
when all others were sure of my guilt?
Would you visit me in prison? Would
you pour words of comfort into my
ear?"
'Oh, Henry" she cried, throwing her
self into my arms, II would share your
captivity with you. would die with
you"
There was pause. I heard words
distinctly spoken, "That's your man.
turned, and man stepped out from
behind bush. I had never seen him
before, but companion I recognized
as an elevator boy in the apartment
house where had my rooms.
"That's Mr.. Perkins," said the boy.
referring to me-
''Mr. Perkins, TIL trouble you to come
with me-"
''Come with you! Who are you and
what do you mean?"
II am constable come to arrest you
for the murder Of Anthony Hurd,
gentleman occupying rooms in your
apartment house."
Nothing will take the romance out of
q
suddenly in one of those romantic stu
atoms in which one delights to read Of
others. I should have bitterly repealed
the allegation. Instead I said impa-
tiently:
"What rot! I haven't murdered any
body"
The man paid no attention to my
words. Instead he slipped pair Of
handouts on my wrists.
Kathryn, the heroine of this story,
should have chung to me in tears, cry
ing my innocence between her sobs
Instead she said, turning bit pale:-
This is very strange"
Kathryn" exclaimed, looking at
her, disappointed and astonished, 'tdo
you think me murderer"
There were conflicting emotions in
Kathryn's breast. She had engaged
herself to a man she knew very little
about Her father had counseled wait
ing till my references from Sydney,
Australia, where had lived till came
to America, could arrive. But Kathryn
was as full Of romance rs I and said
ga fig for references to a woman who
loves.'
Hes been fooling you, MISS" said
the constable Hes a larrikin from
Australia"
whats larrikiny asked Kathryn.
horror stricken at having loved any
one with such a designation.
''The descendants of the Botany bay
criminals and shipload of women
from the London alleys sent out to
Australia many years ago."
Kathryn covered her face with her
hands and turned her back.
Kathryn" I said reproachfuliy as
I was led away, chow about your fine
words to share my captivity, to die
with me?'
That there is romance in men and
women, though they do not always ex-
press it as in books, was evident from
Kathryn's reply, who as soon as put
to the test relinquished her book ro-
nance for the real article
'.You shall have every opportunity to
vindicate yourself. Papa will leave no
stone unturned to prove that you are
innocent. And, oh, Henry" with
touch of tremor-"I do hope you are
innocentv'
Spoken like a true woman There
is some mistake here. AS soon as I
can untangle it I will come to you"
I kissed my hand to her as was led
away but she was too uncertain to
return it. I left her standing where
we had been sitting. looking at me rue
fully.
At my preliminary examination the
next day the following paper found
I'm my room was read:
81 tell YOU. Anthony, as am a lar