Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-12-16

AS I read on another shock awaited
me. The murderer had been for SOM
time a lodger in the same building ant
had been given notice to move for non
payment of rent. He had been seel
to leave the house soon after the mur
der had been committed, description
Of him was in the hands Of the police
and he was being traced by detectives
A sudden thought-a horrible though
struck me. This case fitted me ex
actly. had been notified to leave IN!
room for nonpayment Of rent. Grea
heavens! They were looking for me!
Here was pretty combination o.
circumstances. In addition to othel
uncertainties about me, I was In th'
position Of a murderer flying from
justice. 1 dreaded that the police nigh
come down on me at any moment
Calling Nina, I led her out into th
garden where we were alone and said
Sweetheart, I am about to be &c
cused Of having committed a crime
VIII you trust me as you yesterday
said you would?"
"What crime?" she stammered, pal
Ing.
Murder"
"Oh, heavensw
"Here they come now"
I saw several men passing through
the gate. They came up to me, ant
one Of them, putting a hand on m!
shoulder, said. you're wanted"
what for2"
Murder"
"The one committed in the apart
ment on x street?"
"Yes."
"What proof have you Of my guilt?'
"That you will find out on your
trial"
Nina's father, followed by her mother
and the rest Of the family, came hurry
ing from the house to learn what was
the matter A police officer stated the
case, and when demanded some evi
dence against me, after consultation
with his fellows, he drew paper
from his pocket and began to read
Giuseppe, for this act Of perfidy yor
shall suffer. You have handed me over tt
be dealt with by the law. I will be the
law to you. will not be long behind
bars. No prison walls have yet been bull
strong enough to .lold me-"
"Stopp' l shorted. laughing hyster
ically. 81 know what that is. must
have left 1t in my room when
"You admit lt?"
Certainly l do"
"Oh, 60 on" walled Nina.
"when I am free. as the carrier pigeon
looks about him for the flight he will
take, I will locate you, and wherever you
are there will go. It may be when the
earth Is awakening after nocturnal
slumber, 1t may be when the sun is pour
ing flood of light on hill and vale. 1t may
be when you think yourself concealed In
the shadows Of evening. that will come
but come I will. and when you feel my
blade cutting into your heart your eyes
shall serve you for the last time. and
they will behold me bending over you
gloating In my revenge"
AS the man stopped reading I heard
q thud, and, turning. saw Nina lying
in q heap on the ground. Her father
picked her up and was about to carry
her away when she revived and In
sisted on remaining, giving me a look
Of terrible appeal for my vindication.
"These FOOLS" I cried-"these con.
founded fools have taken the closing
paragraph Of novel I have been
writing for threat to kill man. OF
all the stupid asininity ever heard
The police force looked at each other,
doubtful as to whether or no they had
made mistake.
Can you prove what you say?" ask
ed their chief.
Certainly. In my satchel l have my
novel and the substitute for that pa
per which l rewrote."
My modification at pulling only
manuscripts instead Of toilet articles
from my satchel was overtopped by
my delight at having vindication at
hand. The policemen went back to
the city without me. and my escape
from arrest excited the sympathy OF
all my entertainers. was invited to
remain till my credentials came from
Italy. anI when they arrived they con-
tained check from my father that set
me up in good shape.
Nina and I are now very happy to-
gether. have given up scribbling.
my father-in-law having taken me Into
his business.