Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-04-30

toward the open country and disap-
pearcd. Gentlemen, was curious
enough to remain there until their re-
turn an hour later, when q pale moon
peeped from the drifting clouds.
"They were riding slowly now. and
the woman was pleading with the
other rider, a man. I could see her
wringing her white hands, and her
voice, a low, sweet contralto, did not
sound like that Of deranged person.
Her accents were cultivated, but the
man spoke roughly In reply, and I
heard her break into sobs as he hus.
tied her toward the house and they
disappeared beyond 1t. Later ! heard
the crashing Of branches as II the
horses were being led OF through the
woods back Of the hut, and, now that
I think Of 1t, 1t must have been In the
direction of this hotel"
Benton frowned as he opened the
stove door and tossed In the end Of
his cigar. 1--WE often felt that I'd
like to investigate the matter. You
see. had to leave early the next
morning, and this Is the first time I've
struck this town since then, but my
first question when ! met a man I
knew was, is your witch still herer
And he said she was. There's mys-
terry in the matter. hecause"- Benton
paused and stared thoughtfully at the
toe of his polished boot
Because suggested Cooper impa-
tiently.
because the voice Of the black
rider that night sounded mighty like
the voice Of mine host here. Bill Lin
den," returned Benton In low tone.
Joel Clifford aroused himself from
the half lounging position ne had as
sumed when Benton began his narra-
tive. and. although he had been q
close listener to the story, his own
thoughts must have made sad run.
ming accompaniment to the tale. for
his eyes were full of troubled reminis-
cence.
He lifted his eyes to the mantel.
piece. where an old fashioned mirror
hung In such a position that 1t reflect
ed the door into the hall. Joel Gif-
ford saw a picture framed in that
doorway. and he half rose from his
chair and pointed with a shaking in-
ger at the face he saw In the glass.
1t was the face Of tall. black
bearded man. with narrow head and
little black eyes cleaning wickedly be-
meath bushy brows. He was staring
at Joel Clifford as II fascinated by the
younger mans face. There was fe-
roclty In his gaze, as we'll as surprise
and fear.
"Who Is that manY cried Joel Gif-
ford excltedly as he whirled around
toward the doorway.
"Its Bill Linden. our landlord|
cried Benton. And then he pulled
Clifford violently aside. for there was
the deafening report of a pistol. and
the bullet that had been intended for
Clifford found another mark and shat
tered the mirror There was another
report. and the landlord Of the Dahl.
gren hotel dropped dead upon the floor.
killed by his own wicked hand.
Clifford reached him first and turned
him over and looked closely at the
dead mans face. HE Is dead" he
said briefly, and then. rising, he con-
tinued to the little crowd Of people
that had gathered at the sound Of the
pistol shots: Gentlemen, this man Is
not Bill Linden. That must be an as
sumed name. for he has been well
known to the world as Chafleld Chap
man, q well known banker who disap.
peared FIVE years ago and who was
supposed to be dead. At the same
time he disappeared my young wife,
who was his only daughter. also dis.
appeared from my house. and from a
note that reached me few days later
I could only judge that both Of them
were dead. The note was signed by
my father-in-law, and he said that as
he had failed In business he would end
all and that he would take Gertrude
with him. My search for them both
has covered five years, and 1t must
end tonight, for believe l have found
the solution to the mystery.
"Chafield Chapman was passionately
fond Of his only child and always
hated me because loved and married
her. 1t is my belief that he lured her
away and has kept her prisoner In this
hut in the woods back here, allowing
her to ride forth only ut night for air
and exercise. Gentlemen. the witch Of
Dahlgren is my wife!'
Accompanied by crowd Of interest
ed villagers, the three travelling men
hastened to the house In the woods
and broke open its barred door. There.
facing them with beautiful white face
frozen into fear and her grief whiten.
ed locks hanging in heavy braids over
her shoulders, was Gertrude Clifford.
Joel's lost bride.
At her scream Of joyful recognition
as her husband took her In his arms
once more the people backed out OF
the house and left the reunited couple
alone with their happiness.
Thus passed the witch Of Dahlgren.