The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-15

only myself and God will ever know Being a lawyer, I know the penalty for every crime. but I have failed to find either a court or law which can compensate me or punish the wrong have had done me. therefore decided to handle the matter in my own way .
 "Oh! Barton-Barton-"c cried Mar cia, in nervous fear.
 Do not interrupt-1 shall have fin- ished in a few minutes" he answered bitterly. Briefly, I have arranged for your seclusion for tonight and will remain in the corridor until there Is no chance of anyone discovering you--or my unfortunate position. The steel fire shutters are fastened on the outside, and the doors of the room cannot be opened from the inside. I bid you both adieu!'
 As he spoke he lifted the box he had brought and threw 1t on the bed, pull ing aside the cover. A moment later Barton Montgomery had closed the door. They heard the heavy bolt of the lock as 1t shot into place. From the box writhed hooded cobra. the. dead Hest snake in the world. Before they could realize the truth of the situa- tior the electric light went out.
 In thirty minutes the light was turn cd on, and the shutter of camera con- cealed by a picture noiselessly rose and fell, as 1t did at equal intervals dur ing the next two hours. each time an illumination of the apartment being made. In a dark room Barton Mont gomery busted himself developing five photographic negatives.
 The first picture showed Lindsley lift ing Marcia to the top of the dresser, her face betokening abject terror. while he was gazing behind to the floor. The faces of both were ghastly white. Four reptiles were on the floor, all showing hoods swollen in rage. The second plate portrayed Lindsley in the act of hurling a large perfume bottle at one of the snakes. which had its head to- ward him as he stood by Marcia's side on the dresser. His face was distort- ed by lines of fear, his eyes wide, his lips drawn In his desperation.
 The next scene revealed Lindsley using his coat in the act of striking in the direction of a cobra, which had twisted itself in the lace hangings of the dresser. Marcia seemed to be screaming. Her long hair was disor- dered and her hands were clenched in a despairing manner.
 The fourth plate discovered one of the reptiles coiled about an overhanE- ihS pat oi thC uEcSStT ana aDOut to fasten Its fangs in Marcia's arm was keeping her from falling, and her attitude indicated a condition of physical collapse. Neither seemed aware of the proximity of the snake, and both looked downward as though fearing an attack at their feet
 The last picture showed a cobra on the floor torn in twain. There was red splashes on Marcia's gown. The dresser was bare and its silken and lace hangings lay torn on the floor with the debris and its ornaments and bric-a-brac. Lindsley's 'visage was pe- culiarly lacking in expression. and his dark hair was streaked with gray. His arms hung listless. In sharp contrast Marcia was depicted with hand at her ear as though striving to catch some distant sound, slightly leaning forward, and with a faint smile about her mouth. She was a maniac, who listened with horror-stricken heart for the hissing of snakes, and her com. panion's nerve had given way to the extent that reason no longer governed his faculties.
 Barton Montgomery inspected the pictures hurriedly and made his way to the room. He looked curiously al the figures mounted on the dresser. A cobra near by raised it's head vicious ly but he seemed to have no fear. He kicked 1t across the room.
 Marcia's glance rested on him for an instant, then slowly turned toward Lindsley. who glanced blankly at the floor Neither attempted to move from their position.
 T see you have had quite A time during my absence. The odor of these fangless pets of mine and the reckless use of perfumes Is a combination not entirely pleasant-it seems you have had fright" said Montgomery, frig- idly.
 Marcia smiled and brushed away A lock of her hair from her eyes, then wonderingly scrutinized the red splashes on her gown. One of the reptiles moved across the floor. At the sight of 1t she shrieked and cow cred, and wrung her hands with fran tic energy.
 In few minutes Montgomery had caught and confined the cobras in the box.
 Come down from there, Lindsley-' commanded Montgomery.
 The man gazed at him vacantly and did not stir.
 Marcia, get down. said her hus- band, sternly.
 She looked up from her scrutiny of the blood stain, smiled strangely scanned the floor furtively and turned her eyes again to the ruined gown.
 Barton Montgomery contemplated his work.
 This is better than using a revolver" he remarked half aloud. After a short meditation he approached Lindsley and suddenly pushed him from the dresser. With cry of terror the miserable man scrambled back to his position.
 Montgomery took Marcia's hand and urged her to descend. She chung frantic ally to the dresser exclaiming:
 "No-no! They will bite me again the snakes-the snakesw