The Springdale news., 1912-11-08

tor and constable. both apparently un- hurt by the shots, dash on in pursuit. l saw mans figure rise up from the path I seemed to hear him call out Louise. Louise. where are you? Are you hurt ?"
 There was no answer. Almost had persuaded myself that the strain on my nerves. the horror of the night and the shock of the shooting had giv- en me Authorization, that the wom- ans shriek I had heard was but phantasm of fevered brain, when the figure 1 had seen rise from the path. dashed into the thicket, repeat Ing it's agonized cry of Louise. Louise. where are you?"
 At the sound. life came again into ne. l dashed my revolver to the ground and sprang after him. l found him bending over an unconscious form on the ground Just as I reached the spot he had lighted a match. He lift ed 1t to see my face. and as he did so l saw that the woman lying there ap- parently lifeless was indeed my Lou ise
 Overwhelmed with anguish and re- morse. I flung myself beside her. en- treating her forgiveness The other man showed me roughly aside
 Don't be a fool" he exclaimed. She has only tainted"
 She's shot! Shes killed," I cried q shot hert"
 T tell you she has only tainted" he cried angrily. Help me carry her over there by the window
 Together We lifted her and bore her gently te the side of the cottage. where We laid her on the ground Joy surged in ny heart as l saw and heard that she was still breathing, joy that Mas not even abated when i saw by the window light that my companion was none other than Hugh Crandall
 But just then all other thoughts We're driven out of my head by the sight of thin stream of blood trick ling down the sleeve of Louise3s auto mobile coat
 T tell you she is shot. See" cried. all my anguish coming back anew
 With trembling hands helped Cram dall cut away her sleeve. dreading all the time to see and know the worst
 It's only a scratch" said Crandall. with sigh of relief
 Across her rounded arm was a red dening gash where the bullet had cut its way through the tender flesh. While my head told me that Crandall was right, that 1t was only flesh wound and not in the least dangerous, In my heart stih felt little better than a murderer. Three inches to the right, and the bullet from my revolver would have stilled her heart for ever.
 She opened her eyes and stared at us in puzzled way.
 "Why, Harding. dear" she said in feeble surprise. "are you here-here with MT. Crandall2"
 For answer I bent and kissed her. What mattered 1t If Hugh Crandall was the criminal? What mattered it If the chain of mystery was still un- solved? What mattered 1t If the au- thor of the yellow letters had escaped from the inspector? Louise lived She loved mel
 Davis and the constable came rum ming up the path, panting from their chase. but empty-handed.
 "Is she hurt?" asked Davis as he saw the three of us grouped under the window.
 "A flesh wound. not at all danger ous," Crandall answered. while knelt there earessing Louise's hair and whis- pering softly to her.
 How about you?" asked Davis.
 "He didn't hit me" Crandall an- swered with short laugh. "l tumbled over the bucket of milk he was carry Ing and dropped when he saw me. Didn't you get him ?''
 Hes safe." answered the inspector.