Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1907-09-05
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
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FOR THE SAKE z
OF CLARICE Z
By BENJAMIN r. RAPHEYS =
By BENJAMIN r. RAPHEYS
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Copyright. by Daily Story Pub. Coz


The new day was but an hour old;
outside the night was at it's blacklist,
and the city was asleep. The sound Of
water falling, drop by drop, from
somewhere in an upper room, sounded
like the beat OF q hammer on an anvil
through the dark and otherwise silent
house. The tiny electric globes at the
head and bottom of the stairs had been
extinguished, and the hallway was
inky black.
In the arch OF a curtained doorway,
as though choosing the darkest corner
OF the gloom. two figures were stand
ing. The face and hands of the man
showed gray against the black evening
dress that he wore, but the woman's
white garments outlined her form
more plainly against the background
of the curtain.
Il dare stay no longer" the man
whispered. drawing her to his en-
brace. oh, Clarice, dear heart of
mine. good-by-farewell!"
"Oh, Edward. do not go yet"
You must not tempt me, dear; there
Is too much at stake. Think what it
would mean to you if he should return
and l should be discovered here"
The woman laughed lightly and
snuggled closer to him.
What of it?" she demanded. HE
has never seen you. Could you not
have some plausible reason for your
presence? You are a physician, you
know; you might have been called in
to minister to ms-to my poor heart"
He caught her more tightly in his
arms, and then seized her hands and
gently forced her from him until he
could look into her face.
Dear little woman" he whispered,
If you should suffer because of my
presence here I never could forgive
myself. II this visit worked harm to
you, dear, would give twenty years
of my life rather than have come to
you tonight, although for weeks L
have been hoping and praying for this
chance to be with you once more be-
fore l went away"
Il must go now" he whispered I'm
few hours I shall be on my way
out of your life. All OF my associates
suppose that began my journey last
evening; no one will ever know that
l returned for a last sight OF you.
There. there, dear love, we both agreed
that there should be no tears at part
ing"
There was g sound Of stified sobs,
and the swish Of drapery, as the wom-
an went through the curtaiEed door
way. The mans form showed dark
against the starlit window, as he pass
ed it and began to descend the stairs.
He went down softly, and very slow
| ~. pausing at each step to listen.
He took one step into the hall, and
then waited, listening. There could be
no mistake; some one took a step to-
ward him in the darkness. He sprang
| toward the sound and in an instant
was graphing with some one in the
dark.
1t was a silent struggle, back and
forth from one wall to the other. He
would not cry out, and he constantly
endeavored to keep his grip on the
throat Of his opponent, to prevent an
oqtcry from him. He would choke
him into insensibility, and escape.
In an unlucky moment he tripped
and fell; and in an instant his arms
were -pinioned to his sides, and
| powerful hand clutched his own throat
One OF his captor's arms was free, and
presently the blaze of a match illum-
mated the hall. He looked up at his
opponents features. but only the eyes
were visible; the rest of the face was
hidden beneath a mask.
He gave a gasp OF relief.
only burglar; thank God, only
burglar"
His captor cried out in surprise:
IVY, ye're not"
mo. I'm not" he interrupted. Take
away your hand from my throat; 1
shall not cry out"
He was permitted to breathe with
little more freedom, but the muzzle Of
a revolver was laid against his cheek.
You'd better not pipe up, old man."
said the burglar. II fought yer was
de old blokie. got home. All the
rest here is abed an asleep. Who are
you? Speak up lively. now"
What are you going to do with
me?"
I'D ought to knock the handle of
me knife against yer ribs"