The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-15

bitterly complained the broken down
capitalist. IF | escaped from prison
before my time expired I'm still a
criminal in the eyes of the law. oh, if
1 had been patient little longer."
Alice comforted him with words of
caressing affection, but the iron had
| entered his soul, and he continued to
| cry out:
ITO think this drunken brute should
have his freedom without fear Of cap
| ture or exposure! I'll kill the wretch
! if
NO. dear. you won't do any such
thing-for my sake"
Jacks excuses became SO disgust
| ing in time that even sweet Aiice's
patience and endurance were sorely
| tried. Her faith in her sense of duty
was showing signs of wavering when
suddenly without warning Jacks skel-
/ eton kicked open the closet and fell
sprawling on the floor.
/ The key was held by quiet. thick
! set man of dark complexion. who
J called one evening to interview Mr..
Alice was there and hung over her
| husband as If to protect him.
MIR. Westlake," announced the quiet
stranger, you have in your employ
man of the name of Jack Lecon, be-
| lieye?''
| Beverly WINGED little at the word
employ" and he was inclined to laugh
at the irony of the thrust. Yes, he
was in his employ, but rather ex-
/ pensive employee. He nodded. with a
smile, to indicate his comprehension.
I "Well, sir" continued the stranger,
this man is a convict-escaped from
| the federal prison some months ago"
! Beverly Westlake saw all kinds Of
| pink and white spots, and he glanced
| up to see if the electric lights had
changed their colors. incidentally he
| felt the strangulating construction Of
+, his wife's arms around his neck. He
realized that be was pale and that his
heart had almost ceased to beat.
"There is nothing to fear, Mr.. West
| lake Tho house Is surrounded, and
, we will capture him without any out
cry. He is desperate character
killed his guard when he escaped-and
we have made special plans to capture
| him without danger to you or your
household. | merely called on you to
prepare your wife for any struggle
that may follow. You understand"
Yes, Beverly understood, and Alice too
Alice" he said slowly. ''you had
better retire to your room. l will go
with--with this man to find Jack"
Intuitively she caught his meaning.
She hesitated but moment and then
kissed him as if to withdraw.
81 don't think we shall need your
services" the officer said. with a con-
fident air. 'Our plans are all carefully
laid, and by this time Jack Lecon
should be prisoner. I came here
partly to engage your attention while
consulting his watch, "the struggle
must be over. We will go and see."
They passed through the great hall
in solemn procession and then turned
to mount the broad stairs to Jacks
room. He lived in comfort and luxury
apart for special favors.
But they did not ascend the stairs.
A swift figure gIided down the polish
ed marble and intercepted them-a fig
ure that halted but an instant and
then would have passed on with in
sistent purpose. The officer, startled
by the movement, turned hurriedly
and asked:
"What is it. Sheldon? Anything
wrong?"
The gliding figure came to a reluc-
tant halt and replied respectfully:
Eyes, sir; he escaped and jumped
out of the window. But Jansen and
| Holden must have him. They were
below
There was hurried exit from the
house, and Alice forgot her dignity
and scant footgear. The moon was at
its zenith outside. and the crisp win
try air made the blood Jingle. The
frozen ground was as hard as rock.
and little frost bulbs gathered on ev-
cry tree and shrub.
A voice from out of the muffled 81
lence of the night smote their ears as
they turned corner of the house.
I'VE have him. SIR" it said calmly
HE jumped and fell on his head
hurt a little | guess
They gathered around dark heap
on the silver frosted ground where
the twisted limbs of q man were
sprawled like the four corners OF a
star. There was a queer limpness to
the neck when the head was raised
and Alice covered her eyes and shud-
dered. If she OWNED the meaning Of
it she did not confess it even to her.
self. 1t was Jansen who pronounced
the verdict
'Neck broken, / guess" he said cool
ly. Yes, sir, and dead as doornail."
The leader of the men knelt over the
PROSTATE form Of Jack Lecon, and aft
er a close examination he said, with