Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-09-21

rious to see how nlgn the noou was
running-you remember 1t was over
the banks that night. So wandered
out on the bridge, and came upon the
gentleman about whom you have been
questioning me. He was standing all
alone leaning on the rail-thus."
Here the speaker drew up q chair,
and, crossing his arms over its back,
bent his head down over them. ct did
not know him, but the way he eyed the
water leaping and boiling in n yellow
flood beneath was not the way Of a
curious man like myself, but of one
who was meditating some desperate
deed. He was handsome and well
dressed, but he looked q miserable
wretch and was in state of such
complete self absorption that he did
not notice me, though had stopped
not five feet from his side. expected
to see him throw himself over, but in
stead of that he suddenly raised his
head, and, gazing straight before him,
not Mt the heavy current, but Mt some
vision in his own mind, broke forth in
these words, spoken as had never
heard words spoken before
Here the speakers suffering got the
better of him and the district attorney
had time to say:
"What were these words? Speak
them slowly; we have all the time
there Is"
Instantly the man plucked up heart,
and, eylng us all impressively, was
able to say:
'They were these: She must die! She
must die! No name, but just the one
phrase twice repeated, She must diev
This startled me, and, hardly knowing
whether to lay hands on him or to turn
about and run, was moving slowly
away when he drew his arms from
the rnil-like this-and still staring
into spnce added in the same hard and
determined voice this one word more,
Tonight and, wheeling about, passed
me with one blank and wholly uncon-
scious look and betools himself toward
the city. AS he went by, his lips OPEN
ed for the third time. which MEANS
he cried, between n gronn and a shrek.
a bullet for her and l wish had
heard the rest, but he was out of my
hearing before his sentence was fin
ished."
what time was thjs?'
Ac Mans halo ,,o,& o~ ,,a,.S.yo
1t was 6 when reached home few
minutes later"
"Ah, he must have gone to the ceme-
terry after this"
II am quite sure Of It."
"Why didn't you follow the MANI"
grumbled Durhin.
at wasn't my business. He was a
stranger and possibly mad. 1 didn't
know what to do"
"What did you do?"
event home and kept quiet; my wife
was very Ill that night and had my
own cause for anxiety"
you. however, read the papers next
morning?"
mo, sir. nor for many days. My
wife grew constantly worse and for a
week I didn't leave her, not knowing
but that every breath would be her
last. was dead to everything out
side the s!cl.room. and when she grew
better, which was very gradually, we
had to take her away, so that l had
no opportunity Of speaking Of this oc-
currence to any one till a week ago,
when some remark published in con-
nection with Mrs. .Ieffrey's death re-
called that encounter on the bridge.
told neighbor that believed the
1-kQan ! had seen there xEsas Mr.. Jeffrey,
and we looked up the papers and run
over them till we came upon his pic
ture. That settled 1t, and l could no
longer-being free from home anxictes
new-hold my tongue, and the police
hearu"-
"Tnat will do, Mr.. Gelston," broke in
the major. "When we want you again
we will let you know. Durbin, see Mr..
Gelston out"
was left alone with the major and
the district attorney.
The major was the first to speak.
Addressing the district attorney, lie re-
marked: .'This will strengthen your
case very materially. We have proof
now that Mrs. Jcffrcy's death was nc.
tually determined upon. If Miss Tut
tie had not shot her, he would.
wonder If 1t was relief to him on
reaching his door to find that the deed
was DONE"
Il could not suppress my surprise.
"Miss Tuttle! repeated. sis it SC
Enthusiastically evident that Mr.. jeffrey
did not get to the Moore house In time
to do the shooting himself"
The major gave me quick look.
II thought you considered Miss Tut.
tie the guilty one"
felt that the time had come to show
my colors.
Il have changed my mind" said 1.
Il can give you no good reason for
this; something In the woman herself,
l suppose. She does not look nor net
like criminal. While not DESTROYS of
raising myself in opposition to the
Judgment Of those so greatly my SUI
periors in all respects, have had this
feeling, and nm courageous enough
to avow 1t. And yet, If Mr.. Jeffrey
could not have left the cemetery gates
| and reached the Moore house in time
to fulfill I'LL the conditions of this
! tragedy, the case does look black
against the woman. She admits to
having been there when the pistol was
fired, unless
Unless what? You have something
new to tell us. Tint l have seen ever
since you entered the room. What
is it,"
l cast glance ut the door. Should
be able to finish my story before
Durhin rnfl1rnnd2 L tInnnl,4 L. ,,aa