Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-07-31
;. What were you doing in

revolver. What were you doing in
Chicago?'
"He gave one wild look at me,
whirled. walked toward the table on
which his revolver lay. and then stop.
ped stock still.
"'What was I doing in Chicago?' A
smile that was almost grewsome came
to his face. 4 was in Chicago because
I lived there, because worked there.
because I stole money there and then
ran away. There!' He lifted his arms
and his eyes grew more CLASSY than
ever. There's the truth. You said
you'd stick my me and I've told you.
stole money In Chicago and ran
away. l came down here. One man
knew it. He followed me. He found
out where l worked. He saw that
was beginning to care for you and
then-then-' the voice grew cracked.
high pitched-then he started bleed
ing me! And now, now I've stood all
of it I'm going to stand. He's taken
away from me every chance l had in
life; he's robbed me. he's stolen my
every hope from me, he's forced me
to tell you what I had wanted to keep
from you-and he's going to pay for
it,"
II seized his arm.
"'What do you mean by that? l
felt that my voice was tense, too.
"The wide eyes looked down at me
with fierce CLINT in them. With one
trembling hand he patted mine. Then
he whirled and began to pace the
floor.
what do you suppose I mean?' he
asked. He pointed to the revolver.
That's what / mean He's coming
here this afternoon for more money.
won't have it. You know what he'll
do-hell run out Of this place and
tell the
Suddenly he stopped and looked at
me. He smiled the least bit. but the
corners of his mouth dropped cyni
cally downward. and the eyes took on
an evil look.
"Tm wondering about you.' he said
at last, and then stood looking at me
rather blankly. l felt my hand grip
tighter than ever on my revolver,
while thought of the little kiddie that
was waiting at home in Chicago for
her mother-who stood right now In
danger Of never returning. l knew
that my face had gone white. and that
my heart was beating thumpingly, but
still | faced him.
"'What are you wondering about
me-? l asked slowly.
"He seemed to waver bit. I could
see that the nervous tension Of many
hours had begun to tell on him. Be-
lore me was task-that Of playing
him until my chance could come, until
I could find way of subduing him.
At last he spoke.
what have been wondering about
your he asked. He advanced toward
me. I've been wondering II you're
not schemer. too, if you haven't been
set on my track to hound me down
and
"'Jim!' was before him now, with
every possible emotion Of pleading In
my face. Jim, you wouldn't believe
that of me. would you? You wouldn't
you couldn't! Jim, pull yourself to.
gether! You've got to keep your head
about you. You cant 60 all to pieces
this way. Someone in the house will
hear you through the door; they'll
learn-they'll tell the police
They'll tell the police anyway
he looked at the little clock on the
wall-'in just twenty minutes. He
will be here then. and when he walks
In that door, shoot!'
"'You don't mean that, Jim!'
"'When he walks in that door l
shoot!' he repeated.
Then he suddenly turned silent.
For a moment he stood there, waving
his head from side to side, something
in the manner of wild beast. At
last, with sigh, he began to pace the
floor again. his eyes down, his lower
lip hanging.
Five minutes passed and neither Of
US spoke. Ten went by, and still there
was silence in the room except for
the pacing step Of the man as he
walked to and fro, his eyes glancing
downward, his lips moving now and
then. but wordless. Once he stopped
and looked at the clock.
"'Not long now he said.
"'Jim-' was really pleading now,
with all the heart and soul that
woman can muster-'you wouldn't
add that to other things. would you!
Say you won't-for me. Well find
way out Of this somehow. WE'LL
"He only shook his head. Sudden
ly he looked up and laughed.
"Tm tired Of being called Jim. My
name Is Clayton Rogers
"Lets forget that answered.
You are only Jim to me-
HE stopped, patted my hands again
and then began his pacing once more.
Now he was silent as before, his head
was once more lowered. Five minutes
remained. l clenched my teeth to
keep them from chattering-andt then.
my brain cleared. The chance had
come. AS though he had forgotten
me, he had turned. walked to the win.
dow, and was standing with his hands
tightly clenched behind him. 1t was
time for work-quick work! A por.
there cord was hanging near. Noise
lessly released it and fashioned an
end into a moose. Then slowly, talk.
ing to him all the time, began to
approach.
"He did not seem to hear-at least
he gave no evidence. I was within
five steps Of him now. My revolver I
had slipped into my pocket where the