The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-12-25

huoAN AnJoCiA WHY Ah1Ah ~ hVlh'' ~
0 bedroom given me was large ROOF
! with bed against the west wall III
] d reading table In the center,
!. When | went up to the room l $;
: facing the bed, IT was heavy M
hognny frame, with O valance hangiu
down, and just peeping out from III
der this curtain was the toe OF a coars
shoe a coarse and heavy shoe. with ID
soia nailed or. l recognised 1t In n
instant as a prison shoe. All convict
wore that make of shoe while servln
their time and left them behind whe
set at liberty.
That there was an escaped conyic
under the bed | hadn't the sllghtas
doubt. As looked at that toe remem
bered that Colonel Hampton bad beef
governor at Dsrtmoor for many years
though out of 1t for the last Ave, anC
be.
| knew little of the hall and was liz
norant Of the servants quarters, Whill
IL was Il full mile TO the nearest house
and over three TO the police station
However, had no thoaght OF running
away. grew cooler as the minutes
passed, ana presently / did the best
| thing / could have done under the cir.
| cumstances. Doing my best 10 steady
my voice and speaking as IL to one be-
side me, said;
You might as well come out from
under the bed, my man"
The man rolled into view and sprang
to his feet with a muttered curse He
was a convict in uniform. He was
short and thick set and man of great
strength. AS for his face. every line
of 1t was evil, In his hand he clutched
and fourished naked knife nearly
foot long. Given choice, would
rather have been Ia that room with a
Bengal tiger just escaped from bis cage.
Well. what do you want here?" |
asked in voice | tried TO make care
less as put away my book.
II want your life, curse your he re-
piled as he came q step nearer.
Il am here What is it? Have you
just walked out of Dartmoor?"
Yes, escaped from prison--from
hell-this morning. and no doubt they'll
have me back before noon tomorrow,
but when they come for me they'll find
your dead body That's why l wanted
to give EN- the slip for few hours, to
Nil you. As for getting clear Of with.
out money or friends, can't hope TO do
it, Y0u remember me, governor. am
Bill Watson, No. 1910, In for twenty
years"
You call me governor said In re-
ply as he finished You are mistaken |
in your man. Colonel Hampton used to |
be governor, but you ought TO renlem-
Der that he resigned FIVE years ago. He |
is away from home just now
Yes. know he resigned, but swore I
revenge on him long ago and am here
to get It. No. you are not the governor,
curse you ! see the difference now.
I've waited Ten years for this. ana now
I'm told that he win escape me. AaH.
don't lie to me or III klil you like a
dog! | came here 10 A.ll tho devil who
ordered me to be lashed until | erlnged
ana whlned like cur, and no one shall
1alk me-"
l showed him the note that the colo
lel had left me and then asked him to
BIT down. There was q bottle of wine
n the closet. and | brought Ii out TO
lp. | offered TO tlpton down to the
! !cbcard ana bring un come biscuit
'or him. Io- ayo mlnutes he watched
ne with tlgerish glare seeming to be
Undecided what 10 do. but then he took
! long drink from the bottle and said:
ia willingly hing after killing that :
nan. but I can't hold you responsible.
lis wife and children are here, how.
yer"
'fon must have heard that the COLO
el Is an old bachelor"
Curse me. but I remember now!
hen Pm to get no revenge? Pm to
e taken back to that he'll on earth
nj dashed and locked M IN darkness
nd get nothing out OF III Say, I'll do
lllrtler and hang for It! Fll-Pn'-
lets tall; moment" broke In on
i'm. what was your crime?"
II had a fight with man, and be
led two weeks later"
"And how long have you scrvedg"
Sixteen years - sixteen years SO
ing that | can hardly look back TO the
ny | entered prison. II had killed
lree men The punishment IS enough"
And II you could escape get clear
T-get out Of the country"
1t couldn't be done. | haven't a {
emmy. I'd have to rob some one for
sen n change OF shoes. No. I'll 60 I
Il and meet The police and q
Listen. I'm bit sorry II they used
On roughly in prist.s sixteen years c
q long long time. thavc hundred \
onnds here. HaEyH It T. yours, i
here is clothing IN pnat closer 10 M [
nu, Wien you 60 ont OF here you can S
ak past the police without fear. :
Thy not try American Why not make c
new start in litcT {
do you mcan il? God, bat do you {
can iti' be hoarsely whispered.
Why did help the man away? Well. ! Il
st, Oh Colonel Hampton's 9count. IL
ould have leaked out that the con. :
Ct had come for revenge On a man d
BIO had the reputation Of running the [
'ison With a strong hand : Next. il Z
.empd To ne that his nt1niahfnent had ! v