The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-09-12
HE WAS
MISTAKEN
FOR A SPY
By H. M. ROBERT
20. 1924. western Newspaper Union.)


IN was the center of an excited
group. 1t was among the
most sordid homes of the Italian dis
trict Of the great city, and after dark.
A week previous he had come into
the section, primarily appointed by a
commons commission to ascertain the
prospect Of founding a community
house. In addition to this, newspa-
per had engaged him to write series
Of articles on life In the ghetto-like
district.
Durand had rented the suite Of
rooms over cheap store. He was on
his way home, when suddenly loud
report startled him. A hail Of large
shot showered past him. He ran to
the spot where he had seen the flash
the mouth of an alley. No one was
visible down its dim length, but near
the street himself and the crowd
quickly gathered found sawed-off
shotgun, abandoned by the would-be
assassin OF excitement agitator, as the
case might be.
1T is the vendetta!" was the sur
mise of an aged man.
against whomY 1t was challenged.
"Ah, that Is so-whom, indeed r.
muttered the old man. Then, amid
the babel Of many Italian voices dis
cussing the sensational episode, Du-
rand quietly drew to the edge of the
crowd.
His arm was touched gently as he
started once more In the direction Of
home. He turned to see man past
middle age on clutches. Beside him
was a girl of about eighteen.
''Your hand is bleeding he advised
Durand.
"Why, SO 1t isl" exclaimed the lat
ter, for the first time noticing where
one of the scattered leaden missiles
had grazed the back Of his fingers. ut
is nothing, for feel no PAIN" added
Durand, carelessly.
1T should be attended to, neverthe-
less" returned the other seriously. 81
am something Of surgeon, Mr.. Du-
rand. My little home is nearby"
why, you know me?" observed Du-
rand, wonderingly.
by name and sight-oh, yes" was
answered with a friendly smile. "In
little community like this every
stranger is remarked. He @
Durand began wrapping handker-
chief about his hand. The young girl
stepped forward to assist him. He
knew not why, but the gentle touch of
her dainty fingers. the look of interest
r.in her clear blue eyes caused him to
assent to the reiterated invitation Of
Ethe old man, evidently her father, to
visit their home and have his slight
INJURY attended to.
It was, quaint little cottage far
back from the street to which Durand
was led. There was neat glass sign
on the door reading, 'Prof. Gabriel
Dubourg, Teacher of Piano and VIC
lin" The front room was neatly fur
nished. There was an air of good taste
and art all about the apartment.
I'm our humble way, my daughter
Leila and myself are quite favorites
of the people about here" remarked
the musician. 1--WE know their ways.
We feared that you-a stranger"
Here the young girl cast q. quick
look upon her father, who, somewhat
embarrassed, did not complete the SEN
tence he had begun. Instead he
locked the room door and hastily drew
small surgical case from a cabinet,
but Durand said:
"See, it is mere surface scratch on
my hands t3. 49,
Eyes, the abrasion is not severe, but
I've must look for poison" 4
'Poisonr" repeated Durand, with a
start, and then he understood the in
situation. Doubtless the man who
had fired the gun had sought to kill
an enemy. Cases were not rare where
poisoned missiles had been employed.
Not for moment had Durand suspect
ed that the shot might have been
meant for himself. 49,
The professor applied a solution to
the grazed member and bound 1t with
thin covering of gauze. Then they
drifted into a pleasant conversation
and Durand learned that the musician
and his daughter were well posted in
Italian dialects and received quite an
income from writing and translating
letters for their neighbors AS he
thanked host and hostess for their kind
attention and arose to go, the profess
sor directed an uneasy and appealing
look at his daughter.
"There were some little purchases
you spoke Of this afternoon" he oD-
served to Leila. "She would be COM
pany for you on your way, Mr.. Du-
rand"
Leila flushed, but put ON her hat.
She accompanied Durand as far as a
well-lighted principal thoroughfare and
then babe him goodnight.
Il declared" soliloquized Durand
with whimsical smile as he reached
his room, what would my newspaper
friends think If were to tell them
that beautiful young lady actually
saw me home"
The Dubourg family held decided
fascination for Durand and he called