The Tupelo journal., 1915-08-27

and a battered tin coffeepot stood on
an oil stove. There were heavy blan-
kets hung before the three windows,
and besides II or two rocking chairs
there was a pile of books from the IL
brary downstairs and a mans black
ened pipe on the deal table.
Like lightning the doctors keen eye
searched the room and then went back
to the space in front of the cot. A
mans body lay there inert.
Hold this TORCH" commanded the
doctor. and. bending down, he lifted
the mans emaciated form to the cot.
The ragged coat fell back. revealing a
glimpse Of a broadly striped garment
underneath.
1t did not need this ~betraying glimpse
of the convict stripes for the physician
to recognize in the man William Ged-
ney!
The room revealed that it had long
been the h~abitation of some recluse.
Who was it? Hardly Gedney, for he
was still in prison.
The doctor made a brief examination
and found that the mar had been stab
bed in the right shoulder. An ugly
wound. but not necessarily dangerous.
Josiah, relieved at this practical lay
ing of the Gedney ghost, waited upon
his master with unusual intelligence.
He heated water on the oil stove.
found a lamp and lighted it and held
it, together with the torch. while the
doctor skillfully washed and dressed
the wound. When it was bound and
a pillow placed under the injured
mans back the doctor administered a
strong stimulant and presently Viii
liam Gedney opened his wild, dark
eyes and searched the physicians
c~6intenance.
"Edmonds." he gasped. you? How
did you come herey'
"A telephone message" said the doc
tor quickly. And you, William, you
have escaped?"
Gedney nodded YEARLY. "Sit down.
and / will tell you ALL" he said.
His story was brief and to the point
He declared that he had been innocent
of the crime charged against him. AL
though there had been a fight and a
shot had been fred, he swore that he
had not held the weapon. His com
panions had scattered. leaving him
with the body of Tom Collins-to be
the scapegoat.
Circumstantial evidence was against
him. and to save his client Gedney's
lawyer had pleaded self defense: hence
the life sentence.
.'I've always intended to escape"
muttered Gedney, land at last came
the opportunity. | grasped 1t. My
first thought was to come home here.
l arrived this evening at dusk. The
place was home to me, although there
remained none Of my dear ones to
welcome me. the black sheep Of the
family. Doctor, | may have been wild
and foolish. but my hands are innocent
of blood.
81 came afoot-I had Travelled by
highland at last / reached here. gain
ed an entrance through the pantry win
dow and went up to my mothers room.
IL was going to pray there and ask
their forgiveness-you understand" be
ended brokenly.
II had reached the upper hall when
l met a man; 1t was Tom Collins
brother! He was carrying a candle.
and he looked old and ragged and un-
kempt. When he saw me he gave
chase. screaming madly that he would
kill me. l was unarmed, and l was
weak from lack of food. He pursued
me up the attic stairs to this room. and
there he stabbed me. leaving me for
dead on the floor. 1t was a welcome
sound indeed to hear your ring at he
door! | suppose l must go back to
prison. but | think l have solved the
mystery. Jim Collins killed his broth
er. That is why he has hidden away
here. a prey to his own guilty con-
science. He must have lived a hermit
life for several years. A fellow pris-
oner told me that jim had disappear
ed from his usual haunts. ! hope-I
pray that he has left a confession OF
some kind that will clear my name!'
Leaving Josiah in care of the sick
man. DR.. Edmonds went back to his
horse and drove rapidly in the direc-
ton of the railroad station. He sus-
pected that the fleeing Collins had in
a moment. of contrition telephoned from
some pay station to the doctors house
so that Gedney's wound might be at
tended to.
DR.. Edmonds found a strange situa-
ton at the little railroad station.
A strange man had found shelter
there during the thunderstorm. He
was a ragged looking tramp. He had
entered the wire cage where the pub
lie telephone was placed and had used
the telephone. AS he finished speak
ing there came a cracking hiss. and
a bolt of lightning ruined the instru-
ment and sent the man senseless to
the floor.
Tho ctot;op oOont had vainlv tried