The Placer herald., 1873-03-01

and walked away, followed by the miners,
whose honest hearts could not brook the dis
grace which had fallen upon Rose.
CAN, all gone!" she cried, "and | am
alone, driven from home. But my pride is
left, and they shall never know how | feel
this burning wrong. will go, and Ophir
shall never see my face again
So brushing away her tears, and gather
ing her shawl about her shoulders, she walk
ed down the road TO go she knew uot whittier
Doubtless, ere this, the reader would like
to know what had become of Harry Ashton,
the cause of all this trouble, and why he had
not accompanied Rose home, and endeavored
to vindicate her in the assault against her
integrity made by her mother ard Nat Har-
land.
But it is not proposed as yet, dear reader
to give the why's and wherefores of every
thing; so we will meet Harry upon the after
noon of the day on which the above men
toned scene took place at Ophr He is mus
ing. "No, it cannot be; my conscience
prompts me to go to San Francisco at once
and honor tells me to marry her; but it is
impossible. | cannot take this uncutured
girl into my circle; she would be source of
eternal modification to me. will leave her
She will at first, of course, feel badly; but
she is young and will soon recover. have
sent draft to her through the postollice
which will keep her comfortably for some
time to come. Yes that is undoubtedly the
better way. What fearful place this is.
| don't half fancy these trips through the
wilderness. Why don't the Governor get
his machinery some place in the civilized
world. All"
This exclamation escaped his lips, as a
dark hrowed man, whom he Immediately
recognized as Scotty, sprang from the bushes
and confronted him
81 have yc now | have We now!' cried
he, drawing huge knife, and advancing.
The horse, frightened by this beigereni
demonstration of Scotty's, made lunge for
ward, throwing Harry to the ground, break
ing his leg, thereby placing him at the mercy
of his foe, who stood over him, a fierce smile
of triumph lighting his still iiercer counienance.
"Villain, what would you do?
"What would do? I'll show ye! I'll
take the life ont o We"
self"
"Wot's that to !? tell zee your time S
come I've warned We twice; told We that
the girl was settin' me crazy, and that We
were in danger. But yc would M heed
me, and last night ye strook me to the
ground. But, dam ye, ye're mine now
mine, an I'll make quick work O ye."
g lave Vou no 81
Mercy! Had you mercy, when I told
We the love for yon lass WAS eatin' the heart
o me? Did ye have mercy last night when
We strool me like cur? No, ye did M
heed my threats; an We can pray moo, if We
like, but it will ma do ye good it will ma do
ye good!
Harry, seeing that he had not much no pc
for his life, resolved not to die without a
struggle for it; and by sudden movement
he seized the hand in which Scotty held the
knife, and endeavored to wrest the weapon
from him.
"Ah, hal" cried Scotty, "that's yer game
is it ? III soon put an end to thatw
1t was fierce struggle. Harry, owing
to his broken leg, could not stand; conse-
quently lie had to keep his opponent upon
the ground. Scotty was much the heavier
of the two, but d speration seemed to render
Harry's arm as strong as iron, and for a
long time he succeeded in keeping the mur-
derous instrument from inflicting any injury
At last, however, overcome by pain and IA
igue, he made false grasp at the asaassin's :
arm, and the knife was plunged deep into
his breast.
Without cry, he fell back and Scotty,
standing over him, shouted: cat last! at
last! curse ye! ye're gone now, ard Rose is
minep'
He concealed the body in a near thicket
and walked rapidly away.
The next day, a horscman saw the traces
of the fierce struggle of the day before, and
found a watch and valise, which, upon be-
ing brought into town, were recognized as
belonging to Harry Ashton.
The knife which had Nat Harlands name
engraved upon, was also found ear the
place, and this fact coupled with the threats
he had made. seemed conclusive evidence
against him; he was arrested, charged with
the murder of Harry Ashton.