Middletown transcript., 1921-09-17
South of the
Boundary
By WILLIAM FALL
ID, 1921. western Newspaper Union.)

1t was surprising, the number o.
persons who knew Sergeant Crawford
Of the Northwest police.
Crawford was known as the mos1
successful Of that splendid force thai
is renowned among all nations.
Because he had never failed, Craw
ford had been detached from regular
service and placed on special work
He was man of about thirty-seven
Crawford had had romance back
in his withered life. 1t happened ter
years before, when he was a young
engineer working on the government
railroad in Northern Ontario The
story was quite simple. Elsie Dayton
was the daughter of the doctor there
Crawford had asked her to marry
him and she had told him Of her en-
gagement to Tom Pierce, the ne'er-do
well son Of the big contractor who
had charge Of that section Of tho
works. Crawford had bowed and left
her. Next day ne resigned his posi-
ton and entered the police. A month
later Pierce came back and married
Elsie Three months later he was
jailed for forgery. Afterward the
couple went West Crawford knew
nothing more Of them.
It Is doubtful whether he gave q
thought to this past episode as he
rode five rods north of the American
boundary that snowy December night
The man he sought had murdered a
Canadian Indian in a saloon braWl
six months before. He had fled north
and east. Crawford was in no hurry.
So he waited until he located johnson
in Chipping a struggling village run,
ming clear across the boundary line.
And then, to his joy, he discovered
that Johnson's cabin was situated
twenty yards inside Canada.
The Canadian police do not work
noisily. Crawford made inquiries
about Johnson. He discovered that
he had wife and two babies in Chip
ping. That might have made it harder
for some men, but not for Crawford.
At seven in the evening he presented
himself at Mrs. Johnson's door and
confrOnted-Elsie.
ITS you, Donald!" she whispered
Crawford nodded. The man be-
trayed no trace of any emotion what
ever he might have felt.
"Then," she said slowly, "you have
come for Tom, suppose. l know you
are in the police. have-have fol-
lowed your life closely since I wrecked
mine."
New a flicker of expression ap-
peared upon Crawford's face. He an
swered:
Eyes, I've come for your husband
and it is my duty to tell you that 1t
will do you no good to try to warn
him. If you attempt it shall put you
under arrest also"
to Crawford and he had risen also.
Her face was almost touching his.
Donald, want you to know some
thing" she said. 81 told you 1 had
wrecked my life. l don't love Tom.
He has made my life hell for me
ever since | discovered his real ma
ture that first month after our mar
riage. But that killing was not his
fault, and since then he has lived the
life of a hunted animal. Won't you
spare him for my sake, Donald?"
''That's for the Judge and jury"
answered Crawford doggedly.
"Won't you think of our children.
Donald?"
II can't" the sergeant answered.
"And l don't dare, Elsie. That would
be playing false with the govern
ment"
always the government" she an
swered bitterly. "Donald, for the last
time, won't you spare him for the
sake of our love? Think, Donald, hu
man justice is fine thing, but there
is higher justice, Gods justice, and
dren fatherless you'll have to answer
for it at that heavenly bar. Donald
for my sake, because-because love
you'll"
Her tears had broken down the
barrier in his heart, and he was hold
Ing her in his arms.
A man came rushing in.
"Mrs. Johnson" he cried, you must
come at once. Your husband"
They were at the door. There was
no need to inquire what had happened,
for the dead body Of Pierce was lying
Imply between the arms Of two men
who carried it. They set it down in
side the cottage.
ut was Yellow Heel" said one Of
the men to Crawford. "He had sworn
to get revenge because johnson had
killed his brother. He rode off before
anyone could plug him."
"He shot him in Jones?" Crawford
asked, and the other assented.
There's a posse forming. Are you
going to join"
NO" answered the sergeant. II
am an officer in the Northwest police
and this murder occurred twelve
yards south Of the boundary"
But Crawford knew that, but for
five seconds grace, he would have
laid where Pierce lay at the threshold
of his home. For such men cannot
live dishonored, and had he spoken
the words that waited on his lips he
must have died by his own hand or
met his hell while living.