Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1918-09-06

stabbed when she found out that she
was lost; OF the little girl who died
rather than meet the fate to which
you had led her, even as this girl said
tonight that she meant to die.
"You say that we don't know you
are not Homer Reich. It doesn't mat
ter. know you are the man who be-
trayed this girl here three years ago,
and were then known as Homer Rich
mond. ! knew you the minute ] saw
you in the hotel at Salt Lake three
days ago. knew you after the whole
three years-because-Pd been hunt
ing you all the time-hunting you and
praying that might find you-pray-
ing every night that might find you,
since the day leaned over the cold,
white face of my little dead sister, and
swore to Almighty God that I'd find
you, If He gave mg life and strength!
"And the other day found you and
spoke to.you and you never suspected.
Then ! knew that God had heard my
prayer and given you into my hands.
Since then have played my part and
watched the coils of the web as they
gathered about you. And ! gloated.
Great God, how gloated while wait
ed! And l waited in order that your
latest victim might be saved before I
struck.
"You, Homer Richmond, or Reich,
or whatever you call yourself, sent my
sister to her death, but you left behind
you picture upon which you had
written a message Of love to her in
your own hand. The very same words
you wrote on the picture you gave to
this little girl who sits here now
Your loving Honer!' Do you re-
member? You wrote them on Laura's
picture Of you, and you wrote them on
the one you gave to Lilly Lawton and
the writing is the same. There is the
last link Of the chain to bind you-and
prove you the man you are.
'It's taken long time, Homer, but
my hour has come-after three years!
Your action robbed me of my sister
and made me the woman am. Your
action put me into the business I've
followed for the last three years.
They've been long three years full
of hardship and horror and hope de-
ferred, but they're past, and tonight
is worth all they have cost-because
at last / have you as I've prayed to
get you! After three years-after
three years-Pve kept my oath!"
Her voice rose to something ap-
preaching scream-and broke. For
minute she stood with clenched
hands, gasping. Then by an effort
controlled her emotions and drew q
long breath.
"That was the page in my past of
which spoke, Mr.. DUAL" she said
quite calmly. There is no doubt that
this man is the Harold Richmond men,
toned in your dispatch"
Reich sat utterly collapsed-a pitt
full object-beside McKabe. Not once
since Lucille had thrust the picture of
her sister before him had he moved or
attempted to speak. Utterly cowed-
utterly beaten down by the tearing
away of the veil from his soul-he
half sat, half lay in his seat, his chest
heaving in short, shallow panting-all
vestige of resistance wiped from his
being; utterly bound in the web of
fate into which he had SO unwittingly
cast himself.
Sheldon gave him a glance ana
turned to me.
HE fooled me-fooled me silly!"
he said in a tone of complaint. HE
fooled me an Green an Lilly, but by
the Lord, he didn't fool Semi Dual!
That mans wonder! My hats off
to him! Thar, thar, little gal, don't
cry. Good Lord, but you're lucky,
after ALL"
Connel broke in, addressing Reich:
Richmond, have you anything you
want to say?"
Homer made no response, and the
captain spoke to McKabe:
II fancy we hold him on about two
counts. Take him and the woman
away"
Come ont" said McKabe tapping
Homer on the shoulder. He beckoned
to Annie and led them both from the
room. The woman walked defiantly
erect with fling of her figure; the
man stopped forward, slouching, with
eyes downcast and never glance for
the woman whose life he had sought
to despoil.
We shook hands with Connel and
departed. AS we were leaving the
building we met McKabe and said
good night to him as well. Dual had
telephoned to the hotel for taxi and
it waited in the street below.
AS we came out the fog had cleared
away. and the moon rode high, flood
ing all the sleeping city with soft,
clear light.
We entered the cab and Lucille drew
Lilly into her arms where she nestled
with the sigh of one utterly tired.
sank back against the cushions
beside Semi. and gave myself to my
thoughts.
And as we rolled back through the
cfraatc II cama into nv mind that the