The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-01-27

I
murderer. Arrived there, they laid the
body on the ileor, while one Of the par.
ty went behind the bar to help jack fix
up hurried dram, in the vain hope OF
reyiving the murdered man. His eyes
fell upon the bag Of dust, with Tow.
heads mark upon the side.
Whats this" he said, holding 1t
"Thats Tovnsonls," i" replied sever.
"Hov did it come hore9" asked
others.
Jack Jepatha turned pale ms he real.
lied the predictment in which he was
placed. He gave the true version Of the
aiiair but they would not believe it.
They were anxious to fix the guilt upon
some one, to hang somebody, for Tow.
head had been prettypopuiar among
them.F Several remained as guard over
Jack, while several went ont to collect
the miners for the immediate holding
OF trial. Judge Lynch allows no dc.
lay, and there was every prospect of n
hanging iu the morning.
MollieJeptha had come in on the arri.
val of the corpse, md her eyes had close
y watched jack face /; but tsle believed
his version Of the story.
Jack" she whispered, ~ believe
]" aud then added aloud : ~ believe
know who did this. There was q
stranger here among the rest, during
Inst night, and moro than once saw
him Look Mt Towhead's bag."
But the rough and unreasoning crowd
would not listen.
Jack" she again whispered to the
prisoner, keep up your courage, old
partner. I'll get you out Of it yet"
mo" said Jack iloggedly, 81 didn't
do it, and 1 won't run. Let Fem hang
me II they want to-"
II don't want you to run, jack" she
said, "1'm going after that fellow my.
self. Good'by Jack, keep up your
courage"
Mollie kissed him, armed herself with
q pair Of reyolyers, and slipped out un.
noticed. Taking the path that Towhead
had followed, and sped along with all
her strength, slio soon came to the blood.
marked spot Of the murder.
"ofcourse, hernn away" she thought,
"and likely lie took this path.
On she went through the storm, which
still ragged with such binding fury as
to render it difficult to keep tho path.
On she went, mile after mile, until the
rapid gait began to telluponher strength,
and she thought she must drop down,
when through the darkness she saw the
murderer lying where hc Ind fallen, and
tho blood fresh upon his hands and
shirt. He started up when he saw her,
but revolver faced him. He trlrned
to flee, but her determined voice stop
ped him.
"AGoye n step further, and I'll shoot. /"
He was entirely unarmed, having
thrown away the bloody knife, and
could do nothing but obey.
II nm 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 r.
The man hesitated moment but,
seeing that she meant what she said, he
sullenly started.
With revolver in her hand, Mollie
followed few steps in the rcar. Once
hc turned quickly, us il to grapple with
her and disarm her, but the CLEAN Of
the revolver aimed Mt his head changed
his mind, and he sullenly started on
again. Knowing that death awaited
him at the slianty, still he lacked the
courage to make the only possible effort
for liberty.
Daylight came ms they noared the
cabin, and both couldhardly drag them.
selvesalong; but not aword was spoken.
AS the Gulch became lighted up, Mollie
saw a crowd Of miners take the path
from the shanty.
"My God r. she cried, "they are
taking Jack out to hang him |"
The tired girl nearly tainted at the
sight. They were nearly amile away,
and she well knew tho promptitude Of
border excursions. The first tree would
furnish the gallows.
Faster |" commanded Moll.
"I won't, replied her prisoner, "it's
bad enough towalk to my death without
hurryingt"
He turned and sprang toward her, but
she wasready with her weapon. A shot
rang out and one ofthe murterer's arms
dropped powerless at his side. With
ont q word he resumed Ills march, htlr-
ricd on by his determined captor.
Meanwhilethe Moose was put around
Jacks neck, the rope thrown over n
limb, aud q score Of hands lifted the
unfortunate mGn from the ground.
There being no fall, his neck was not
broken, and his feet had barely left the
ground before he saw Nfollie and her
captive in the distance.
Wrenching his hands from their fast
enings, lie pointed frantically toward her
and then strangled into unconscious
ness. The miners turned and the
strange spectacle stayed their work."
Let lin down n minute, said one
who seemed to DO master Of ceremonies.
They did so, and Mol staggered into
the circle. The revolver dropped from
her now nervslsss grasp, and she tot
tered as II about to fall.
Theres the man that Killed low
head,' Blc faltered, and then, throwing
herself upon jack, who lay still chok-
ing, but slowly reviying where they had
lowered him, she said
Don't die, Jack I've brought them
the right man. Don't die, Jack"
The miners held a hurried consulta.
tion. The blood stains upon the muir
derer were proof enough for them, and
he did not deny the deed. The nose
was transferred TO his neck, and the
tragedy suffered little interruption by
the change Of actors.