Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-11-08

partook Of the serenity Of the day.
Sunday brings relief in many ways.
and this Sunday brought an especial
relief to me. felt comfortable in the
fact that I would not be troubled with
duns. l passed some time after break
fast reading morning newspaper
One piece OF information l read esrc-
cially interested me- 1t was headed.
Followed TO His Death An Italian
had been found dead in his bed with a
/ knife sticking in his heart. The police
had discovered a clew to the murderer.
apd his arrest was expected. The clew
indicated that the man had been MUIR
dered from revenge. The supposed
murderer had occupied a room in the
same building with his victim and had
, left n paper on which was given the
motive for the crime. He had fed but
the police had description OF him.
But what struck me fat aback was
that the murder had been committed
in the house where | had had my room
and which had left the day before.
AS I read on another shock awaited
me. The murderer had been for some
time lodger in the same building and
had been given notice TO move for non
payment of rent. He had been seen
10 leave the house soon after the muir
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 thought
struck me- This case fitted me ex-
actly. / had been notified to leave my
room for nonpayment of rent. Great
heavens! They We're looking for me!
Here was a pretty combination of
circumstances. In addition TO other
uncertainties about me, ! was In the
position OF a murderer flying from
Justice. I dreaded that the police might
come down on me at any moment.
Calling Nina, / led her out into the
garden where we were alone and said:
Sweetheart, l am about to be nc
cused OF having committed n crime.
VIII you trust me as you yesterday
said you would?"
What crime?" she stammered, pal
ing.
Murder"
"Oh. heavens!-
Here they come now"
I saw several men passing through
the gate. They came up to me. and
one of them, putting-a hand on my
shoulder. said, You're wanted"
What for?"
Murder"
"The one committed in the apart.
ment on Y street,"
YES"
what proof have you of my guilt?"
''That you will find out on your
trial"
20 FoYI - l.
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 1 demanded some evil
dence against me. after consultation
with his fellows, he drew n paper
from his pocket and began to read:
"Giuseppe. for this act OF perhdy you
shall suffer. You have handed me over to
be dealt with by the law. I will be the
law to you. l will not be long behind
bars No prison walls have yet been built
strong enough to hold me-"
stop 1 shouted, laughing hyster-
ically. 81 know what that is. / must
have left it In my room when
You admit it?"
Certainly / do"
"Oh, go on" walled Nina
"When / am free. as the carrier pigeon
take. will locate you. and wherever you
are there will go. 1t may be when tho
earth Is awakening after a nocturnal
slumber. IL 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 1 will come.
but come / 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 heard
a thud, and. turning. I saw Nina lying
in a heap on the ground. Her father
picked her up and was about J. carry
her away when she revived and in
sisted ON remaining. giving me look
Of terrible appeal for my vlndicatlon.
''These fools" | crIed-"these con
founded fools have taken the closing
of a novel l have been
writing for threat to kill man. or
I'll the stupid asininity ever heard
The police force looked at each other.
doubtful as to whether or no they had
made a mistake
"Can you prove what you say?" ask
d their chief.
Certainly. In my satcheI have my
lovel and the substitute for that pa
Ter which l rewrote."
My modification ut pulling only
manuscripts instead of toilet articles
rom my satchel was overtopped by
nv delight at having vindication at
and. The policemen went back TO 4
he city without me. and my escape
rom arrest excited the sympathy of
II my entertainers. ! was invited 10
emain till my credentials came froLi
tally. and when they arrived they con
aimed check from my father that set
ne up in good shape.
Nina and ! are now very happy to-
ether. have given mp scribbiing. Z.
ny fatberin-Iaw having taken me into
ls business.
q