The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-02-21

involuntarily turned his head to as
certain the cause.
His curiosity proved fatal to himself
and his plans. In far less time than II
takes to tell it. Russell sprang from his
chair and landed a scientific blow just
behind the convict's ear, which felled
him to the floor in a state bordering on
insensibility.
Then rapidly. and with a pardonable
disregard for the havoc he wrought.
the newspaper1nan pulled the long. mar
row velvet scarf from the piano and
rolled 1t around Thompson's body. thus
pinioning his arms securely. A bunch
Of heavy white satin ribbon was next
torn from the back of a chair. serving
admirably as n rope with which TO tie
together the PROSTATE mans legs.
Then Russell picked up the heavy.
clumsy old revolver. placed IL within
easy reaching distance. and turned to
Elsie. who. all this .Ime, had stood
speechIess in the doorway. and whose
appearance, while it had at first almost
made Days heart stop beating, had ul-
timately beer the means Of saving his
life
What does all this mean?' she asked
excitedly. oh, Russell. I was so afraid
that dreadful man meant to shoot you.
why, that horrid revolver was pointed
right at your headi''
Yes. it was" said Russell, witt grim
huuaor; "it certainly was; and in an
other moment would have been num-
bered among the angels Your coming
down saved my life, Elsie, though when
I saw you standing "a ne doorway I
pretty nearly funked- However. it's my
turn again, though, So I m in luck, as
usual
Then quickly he related to her the
story Of Thompson-s threats. escape and
proposed revenge, adding enthusiastic
ally:
But think what a scoop it viii be!
When he comes TO. I'll make him tell
me all about his getting out OF Sing
Sing, writ it up, Land him In Jail. and
rus-l in tho story TO think of such
good thing dropping 1t my feet right
here in the house,"
But, Russell" urged Elsie. with
tears in her eyes. che might have
killed you
He might have, but he didn't" re-
torted Russell. busy getting out pad
and pencil and preparing to take the
statement of his man as soon as he re-
covered sufficiently 20 supply him with
the necessary points.
And when Thompson opened his eyes
again and pulled himeslf together. he
actually gave a full and free account
Of his esc2 pc. and was so cowed and
overcome b. Russelrs smiling audacity
and utter unconcern for what so nearly
happened. that he hadn't even brass
enough TO ask for the mercy he didn't
deserve.
It's simply a case Of ups and downs.
Thompson" said Russell. as he scrib-
bled away at double speed. and you
are down now, and no mistake about
it. A few minutes ago you had things
all your own way. and were about to
send me to kingdom Gene. Now you're
fat on your back, tied hand and foot
with ribbons and velvets, and my star
is in the ascendency once more. But
there is compensation in II things.
Thompson, so find consolation in the
thought that 1 am giving YOU the
most glowing write-up you ever had in
al your long and varied career of
crime"
eff I'd biz quicker. you'd ben down
instead er me-" growled Thompson
Yes. you talked too much. for which
am eternally grateful" smiled Rus
sell
He finished bis story, put Elsie on
guard over the convict. with strict or
ders TO shoot him If he so much as
moved an eyelash. and started out for
q policeman and n cab
When he returned. shortly, with both.
Co. IN, r-r1
Thompson in the latter, saw the pris-
oner safely So led. dashed down TO the
office with his copy, and hurried back
TO Elsie. whom he had left on the verge
OF Mysteries.
You don't in the least seem u
realize what narrow escape you have
had" she said. after they had discussed
the affair in all its phases: only that
he turned to look at me. he surely
would have killed yOui Yet I firmly be-
lieve, Russell. that all you think of Is
that your paper tomorrow viii be the
only one TO give the story of Thomp-
sons escape from prison. The fact thai
you might have been murdered is quite
n secondary matter."
Not quite. when I consider you.' re-
piled Russell gravely.
Il cannot in the least understand
how you could sit there then looking
so unconcerned. Were you not at all
frightened, reaIly2" she asked.
Yes. when 1 saw you standing in the
doorway. I had a regular spasm at the
thought of your witnessing my sun
mary taking off. 1t was bad enough not 2
TO have chance to speak tC YOU but i
a thousand times worse to have you |
present when Thompson took his re- I
venge."
1T was horrible" declared Elsie with !
a shudder. and had I known how he
threatened you years ago I would not
have had a moments peace all these
years we've been married"
I wouldn't have told you, even had I /
And, after all. II amount
ed TO nothing" said Russell. kissing
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