The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1913-08-29

that far-away, faltering voice.
might have screamed, or drawn the
revolver. but 1t was in pocket OF
my dressing-gown. and before coula
could get 1t out some one, evidently
a guard at the door, seized me from
bshind. stifed my cries. And
I think I was gagged. They
talked all at once in French don't
understand much French-but they
seemed to be trying to decide what
TO do with me. . After while
seemed to understand that instead
of killing me they were going to take
me- away and hold me prisoner. They
lifted me, and was carried down
the stairs, where there was woman
some woman who seemed to be an
accor,plics." 10 stopped az II pug
zled, and drew one hand across her
forehead. "she and the duke talked
in French-rapid French-rm sure 1t
was French"
why. I'm the only woman here
who really speaks French" inter
rupted, except" Amusement ST.
! fenced me.
Except Mrs. Cutler" Laura sup
piled. please go on" 4
"Gad!" Hap exclaimed suddenly.
$50 my Imagination didn't run away
with me-"
~ don't know who she was" 10
went on after little. Il didn't recog.
nize her voice. -. l was taken
down the stairs leading to the tennis
courts. don't know why they didn't
discover the revolver In my pocket:
perhaps they didn't think OF my hav'
Ing a weapon because I had not used
t. At the foot Of the stairs
we knew some one had heard US;
and we saw light fash. was taken
out as quickly as possible. and one
of the men waited to strike down
whoever came after us. I don't know
who came" She covered her face
with her hands. "Who--who was itT'
Adams, the detective" John told
her.
II didn't know in which direction
they were taking me, but l remember
| was carried across a wire fence and
my dressing gown was torn. kicked
of a slipper; and that's the last
remember. think they must
have chloroformed me. was trouble
some. When | came to / was lying
on a bed in a little room, and had
lost my other slipper. y was day
light. got up to flnd that was
really prisoner. The windows were
heavily suffered. nailed on, with only
openings for light and air, and the
door was bolted. still had the re-
volver, but | didn't see It would do
me any good unless l could kill
She paused. shuddering.
"Of course, they brought me things
to eat" she continued. "For-kow
| many days Is It! rye fsaasft III
| tried to make up my mind p SHOT
There seemed to be no one there
except e guard continually underlmy
window. Henri and the duke bad
gone away and left him there alpne
knew I should have to shoot Him.
and perhaps later could batter OWN
my door with chair and escape.
The guard was standing Iout-
side smoking" She drew In her
breath sharply. II took deliberate
aim at him-I didn't want to killfhim
Il aimed at his legs to cripple him,
and fred twice." Again she covered
her face with her hands. Il hit him."
she moaned. II hi. him!"
The surprise In her voice was too
much for me. historical a. was. and
I laughed. The man had been wound.
cd In the neck; she had aimed al his
legs.
II succeeded in battering down the
door enough to crawl through. Iran.
rant 4 only knew I was somewhere
near the ocean, and after hours, It
seemed, found the beach. Il was
awful without any shoes, but walked
and walked, and ran and cried. and
l could get no idea where Twas.
Finally asked fisherman, and he
brought me here. But / left the poor
fellow there, wherever It Is. wound
ed. He might die. Find him oh.
please find him!" She turned % tho
doctor. her eyes ablaze. "A wound
In the leg is not serious, 10 it, she
asked.
"No." Doctor Graham assured her.
- wound In the leg is not necessarily
serious
There fell little silence the while
we stared each at the other. Laura
at last gave voice to the question
which was paramount.
But Winthrop-Mr. Abbottr she
asked tsnsely. you said he What
had he to do with It ALL"
10 stared at her In amazsment.
Nothing, my DEAR" she said.
Didn't I say he had nothing to do
with Il" She dropped back On the
couch YEARLY. Il thought saM that
first. It was Henri, and the duke.
and"
With little CITY Of relief Laura
turned and flung her arms about her
mothers neck, l. too. haH under