The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-02-23
CHAPTER VII.
4 Startling Revelation.

Startling Revelation.
Instead of returning at once to the
| hotel, John took a footpath leading to
strip of land situated about a half
| a mile from the depot. When reaching
its shady GOODNESS he sat down upon
the ground, and leaning against a
huge sycamour tree gave himself up
to thought.
The banknote which Mrs. Saint
Clair had given him remained upbrok-
en- in his pocket, and he thought with
a thrill of pleasure stirring in his
lonely heart that the lady's generosity
had placed him for the present above
want. Relieved of the care of his new
found friend, the widow, and the
charming child, Johns own cares
came back to him with redoubled
force; and he wondered as he thought
of it that he had not been apprehen-
ded ere this for the crime he had COM
mitted. THANK God he said to him
self, fervently, that this did not hap
pen to me at least while Mrs. Saint
Clair was under my protection.
Then John fell into deeper medi-
tation. Should he return at once and
give himself up to the authorities at
Mount Olivette as a self confessed
murderer. or take the money that had
come to him by strange chance and
with it put hundreds of miles be-
tween himself and the place where the
first great sorrow of his life had des-
cended upon him? The temptation
to do the later was strong within
him, but the effects of his early train
ing and the precepts taught him by
his noble mother won the victory, and
| when John raised his head from
where he had been bent low upon his
troubled breast, the light of a firm re-
solution shone upon his face.
Il will return home Immediately
and give myself up, and leave the re-
So in the hands of God,," he said.
rising to his feet and speaking aloud,
as though he were addressing a listen
ing companion. instead of the mani
mate objects around him.
He strobe firmly to the hotel with
never a faltering heart throb, and the
next outgoing northern train that left
Dukesboro numbered John Lorimer
1t was one hour past midnight
!! among it's passengers.
when he reached his destination.
When he alighted from the coach 1t was
raining and the night was very dark,
while the only light visible was made
by the station agents lantern.
Why. wasn't that John Lorimer?"
asked the agent OF one of the by
standing loungers, as the light Of the
lantern flashed upon the face of the
new arrival as he turned quickly
away and disappeared into the dark
ness.
''Dinged if it didn't look like i'm,
but l guess it wasn't, for circumstan-
tial evidence is too strong agin' i'm
to cum back to these parts lessen he's
brought back replied the man, chang
ing the quid Of tobacco from one side
of his capacious mouth to the other
as he spoke.
There's something mighty strange
about that affair" answered the agent,
as he locked the door of the station
and walked away with his companion
through the dripping darkness of the
night. You know that l was on the
cornor's jury. and it struck me that
Bob Anderson. who was the last one
sseen talking to the dead man knew
something more than he disclosed on
the witness stand. But wild horses
couldn's drag the secret out of him,
whatever it was. There is no doubt
but that Bill Hamilton deserved kill
ing; still do hope that John Lorimer
did not kill him. for John is an all
around good fellow, and l should hate
to think that he would take the life
of any one, no matter what the provo
cation might be-"
Meanwhile the subject of this con-
versation was making his way through
the drizzIing rain toward his home.
The house occupied by Sheriff
Adrain and his wife was a wide, low
brick structure, and stood within a
stones throw of the Jail. John as
the veranda on tiptoe, and laid his
hand on the door mob. The door was
unlocked and yielded to his touch
and entering the house the boy went
SOFTLY TO his mothers room. His tim
In knoc'- on the door was answered
oy sose sse withiR striking a match