Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-07-04

save them; yes, indeed am, and to
save you, too! But I must tell you
first what was doing while your wife
| was here. l was taking down in short
hand every word that was spoken be-
tween you. You had no idea of the
extent Of my accomplishments, had
you? I am really accomplished. Years
ago learned shorthand, and 1t used to
bring me in few shillings Oh, what
a hard life have had! what bitter,
cruel life! But l am going to enjoy
myself now that l have the chance.
You see, with this handkerchief and
this little piece of paper in my hand
can go to your wife and say: Not only
is your husband a murderer. but be-
tween him and l there is Well,
she can guess the rest when prove to
her, by relating what you said to each
other just now, that l was in your room
concealed while you were so anXlously
trying to get rid of her. Proof positive,
l call it. And at such a time Of night,
too! Oh, fie!'
She did not speak rapidly; now and
again she paused, to give me an OPP
portunity of replying; but l could find
no words, so confounded was l by her
altered manner. That was more COM
pletely than ever in her power was evi-
dent to me. in spite of my agony Of
bewilderment. Thief, murderer, adul.
| terer-I was thus to be proclaimed to
the world and to MY wife and child.
But the woman who held me in her
tolls had said she would save me! In
what way! Not out of tenderness and
pity, but out of hate and scorn. What
course was to be dictated by these
sentiments?
"You understand me-" she asked.
at is necessary that you should tell
me that you understand me-
80 far" said, Il understand you"
II am about to dictate terms. My
silence, my mercy. must be purchased.
l have set a price and terms upon
them"
She forced me to reply, keeping
silence till | spoke.
LET me know what they areT
"That is sensibly spoken. In the
murdered mans dispatch box there
were five thousand pounds. l must
have that money
II have not got It,"
"Nonsensc! l must have it,
81 have not got it,
"Swear by the living Cod
81 swear by the living God"-
She laughed mocklngly But my
dear sir, my innocent. virtuous gentle
man, money | must have. You drew
from the bank to-day f10Oo. | must
have that. 1t IS in this room. All,
there Is Il safe n the corner. You keep
your precious things in it. Your eyes
are wandering toward 1t now. And
these two keys upon the tablc-why, rs
l am an honest woman, they must be
the keys of the safe. wonder, now,
IL could unlock it,"
| allowed her to do as she would.
She unlocked the safe. and drew there
from two bags of gold, 500 sovcrcigns
in each.
Il sell you your life for the gold in
these bags" she said. as it agrecd:'
/ nodded vacantly. My senses were
numbed If | could have poured out
my life's blood to save from sorrow
and shame my darling wife and daugh.
ter, gladly would have shed it. What,
then in comparison, We're these bags OF
gold?
ut is Fortunate" she said, that you
were paid in gold. should have re-
fused bank notes, and then YOU would
| have been on the straight road to the
gallows. But there is another condi'
ton: Your life is not worth mo-
ment's purchase if you decline it, You
will 90 from this house tonight within
the hour, and you will never set foot
in it again. Where you go to do not
care; disappear, drown yourself, hang
| yourself; it will not matter to me- Ii
, YOU refuse to obey me, if ever you seek
| again the society of your wife and
| daughter, they and all the world shall
| be made acquainted with your crimes.
| That is my revenge: as sweet to me
| all, sweeter-than money. You would
| forth. So long as you are in hiding
in any part of the world you like you
are safe. DO you agree"
II must agree"
"Then there Is nothing more to be
said" She moved toward the door,
opened it, and spoke to me from that
! spot. Every word of her Kissing voice
fell clear upon my senses, although she
spoke in tone so low that 1t could
not travel to any other part Of the
house. II shall watch that you keep
your word | hate you and yours!
Violate the conditions l have imposed,
and l will bring your lady wife and
daughter to the cutters. | will hunt
! and pursue and expose them, so that
| they shall never know Il moments
peace. You know what you have to
expect. Goodnight"
| She was gone, and l was alone.
Well did l know that she would put
her threats into execution if l did not
| keep faith with her. And was it not
| better. apart from this, that l should
disappear from the sight of those l
loved and never see them again? Was
| it possible, knowing what l knew
knowing that l was murderer-that
| could ever allow them to place their
innocent lips to my guilty ones, that
could ever gaze into their dear, limo.
cent eyes without shuddering? True,
| | felt that had sinned unconsciously,
but the guilt was no less mine than II
| had done the deed in the broad light
of day, with all my senses about me.
Yes, l must go; from this home to
which | had brought my young wife,
in which my dear child had been born,
| 4, which xya hol pnioypl n heaven of