Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-11
EEGIN HERE TODAY

The writer OF this story. seeking
nocturnal adventure, walks toward
London from Woolwich. He stops
F., to rest In front of long. low house
front covered with white stucco. Tall
French windows lead into the gar
den. In one Of the French windows
there burned a light
A revolver shot Is heard. The
writer lifts the latch of the gate and
tiptoes up the walk to peer into the
lighted window. He sees q man
seated in a desk chair. He steps
into the room and hnds the man
dead. A door opening into Dress
inE-room is aiar and from that room
comes the sound OF sobbing.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
There was a big armchair covered
with cracking chintz. heavily aow.
cred in blue. Upon it. or rather upon
her knees on the floor and thrown
face down upon the armchair. lay
woman, whose shoulders convulsive-
" heaved as she wept. Evidently
she had just risen from her bed. Tor
over her dressing-gown OF green
silk, unbound curly red hair flowed
in heavy waves. I watched her for
q moment, for there was something
abject in her attitude. Her arms
were outstretched across the chair;
she made no attempt to wipe her
tears. had a queer feeling that
she wept as II she were bleeding to
death. Her plump. pretty white
arms came out of the green SILK
sleeves. ! was just about to so to
her, when I perceived in one OF her
hands a revolver firmly grasped e.
She'd killed him! That woman! 1t
was she who had fired the shot. Oh
viously 1t was her husband whom
Swiftly, the domestic tragedy took
form. A maddened woman. killing,
one didn't know why, the man who
had spent a lonely night in the room
beyond. But the tears interfered
with the logical continuity OF my
thoughts. Murderess or not. she
was crying, and crying so that my
heart went soft with sympathy. !
went up to her. laid comforting
hand upon a shoulder that heaved.
expected her to start up with a
scream. but I had forgotten how
much she must need the comfort Of
human contact, for. instead. she
suddenly raised her head. gripping
my hand. Looking up at me with y
stained. blotched face. she muir.
INJURED: For Gods sake. don't leave
me-" She rested her cheek against
LILY hand. Her sobs were louder now.
"Of course I won't leave you" I
said, in a comforting tone.
"Oh, don't leave me-" she said
again.
Now. try and pull yourself to-
gether," remarked. Its no use
crying" AT this her sobs increased
SO as to become almost screams: 1
realized what q foolish thing l had
said, did not know what to do. !
couldn't stay indefinitely to be dis.
covered by the servants perhaps. So
I used a heroic remedy. Freeing my
hand by a violent effort, seized her
by the shoulders and forced her. to
her feet, shaking her vigorously two
or three times. She gave me moan.
q gasp, and suddenly her tears
stopped. She was staring at me with
open eyes, her mouth Still convulsed.
but silent.
Now" said. quick. You've no
time to waste. What happened?"
She seemed to find speech difficult.
bit she tried: Il can't tell you :"
"Oh, nonsense" spoke harshly
on purpose. TITS no use trying to
hide. I've Just been through
that room end l found your hus.
band. at least I suppose it's your
husband. Don't begin crying
again." I said angrily. as her mouth
opened. "It's your only chance. Tell
me what happened. You shot him.
didn't your"
yes" I caught the whisper.
well now. what's to be done?"