The Van Buren press., 1872-12-03

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man skulked after him in the shadow.
Thus followed, Towhsad staggered along
until his path led him through = deep
gully, which had been dubbed the Devils
Glen. Then and there his follower
stsalthily advanced from behind aud kill
ed him with q murderous dirk stab. A
hasty search Of the victims pockets cen
vinced tho murderer that the prize for
which he had committed the villainous
deed was not there. Thea the cowardice
of the man showed itself. A storm had
been coming up, and now, as it burst
fsrth in thunder, lightning and flood, he
shiversd. With blood ON his hands, and
with horrer in his eyes, and with the
dreadful mark of Cain branded indelibly
on his brow, the wretched man fled,
clutching kis breast with his pale, talon.
like fingers, as il to tear hence his COW
ardce
On he went, flying over rocks and
ehasms and uprooted troes-on, on, still
on, unable to stop, until he sank ex.
haustsd beneath = huge pile Of rocks
The storm was wild, madly, canonnad
ing against the rocks, as if it would tear
its way to whore he lay and boldly on
gulf him but he heard nothing but an
imaginary and unearthly cry Of "mur.
dor saw nothing but tho cold, still
face and life!ess form of his victim.
Towhsad had not been murdered ar
teen minutes before his body was discov.
cred by q party Of miners returning from
some midnight earouse. They carried it
back to jack Jeptha's shsnty amid
threats Of vengeance upon the murder
er Arrived there, they had laid the
body on the floor, whle one of the par
ty went behind the bar to help Jack fix
up hurried dram, in the vain heps of
revivag the murdered man. His eye fell
upon tho bag of dust, with Towhsad's
mark upon tho side
What's this 7" he said holding itup.
"Thats Towhesds," replied several.
"How did it come here p asked 9th.
ers
Jack Jeptha turned pale as he realized
the predicament in which he was placed.
ne gave the true version Of the affair,
but they would not believe it. They were
anxious to fix the guilt upon some one,
to hang somebody, for Towhesd had
been pretty popular among them Sew
eral remained to guard over Jack, while
others went out to collect the miners for
the immediate holding Of trial. Judge
Lynch allows no delay, and there was ev.
cry prospect Of hanging in the morning.
Mollis Jeptha came into the room up
on the arrival Of the corpse, and her eyes
had closely watched Jacks face. But
she believed his version Of the story
/" jack" she whispered, :" believe
you /" and then added aloud. 81 believe,
know who did this. There was a stran-
ger here among the rest drinking last
night, and more than once | saw him
looking at Tswhead's bag.
But the rough aud unrcasoning crowd
would not listen.
"Jack, sho again whispered to the
prisoner, "keep up your courage, old
partner, and I'll get you out OF 1t yet.
"No, ssid'Jack, dcggsdly, 81 didn't
do it, and went run. Let them hang
mo il they want to. "
al don't want you to run, Jack, she
said; I'm going after that fellow my
self Good bye, Jack, keep up your
courage.
Molie kissed him, armed hersslf with
= pair Of revolvers, and slipped out un-
noticed Taking the path that Towhead
had followed, and speeding along with
all her strength, she soon came TO tho
blood marked spot Of the murder.
"Of course he ran away, she thought
"and likely he took tho path.
On she went through the storm, which
still ragged with such binding fury as to
render it difficult to keep the path. On
she went, mile after mile, until the rapid
gait began to tell upon her strength, and
she thought she must drop down, when
through the darkness she saw the muir
dsrer lying where he had fallen, and the
blood fresh upon his hands and shirt
He turned to fee, but her determined
voice stopped him. Il
Move step further and I'll shoot "
He was entirely unarmed, aad having
thrown away the bloody knife could do
nothing but obey,
~ am going to take you back TO the
shanty, she continued Go on ahead,
and remember that bullet will be the
cost Of any attempt to escape. Go on!
The man hesitAted q moment, but, see
ing she meant what she said, sullenly
started.
With q revolver in her hand, Moll fol
lowed a few steps in the roar. ORce he
turned quickly, as il to grappls with her
and disarm her, but changed his mind,
and he sullsnly started on again Know
ing that death awaited him st the shanty,
still he lacked the courage to make the
only possible effort for liberty.
Daylight came as they nearsd the cab
in, and both could hardly drag them
selves along, but not . word was spoken.
Az the gulch became lighted up Mcllie
saw q crowd Of miners take the path
from the shanty.
my Cod" cried Mollie, "thsy are
taking Jack out to hang him. D."
Tbs tired girl nearly tainted At the
sight They were nearly mile away.
and she we'll knew the promptituds OF
border executions. The first tree would
furnish . gallows.
FasterW commanded Moll
81 won't" replied her prisoner, It's
bad enough to walk to my death, with
out hurrying
He turned and sprsng toward her. but
she was ready with hor weapon. A shot
rang cut and one Of the murdsrer's arms
dropped pewerlsss at his side. Without