Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-02-07

l hear of you attempting TO persecute
Nancy again with your insults, I'll have
your life.'
"An ugly threat, that, my man.
said Devine, seowling blackly. ~ see
how the land lies now, and III make
this town too hot to hold you in less
than twenty-four hours"
With these words he rode off,
"Oh, Joe," exclaimed the girl, bit
terly, you've ruined yourself now
You can do nothing against such an en-
envy as Richard Devine."
''The world is large, Nancy" he re-
piled. ''We can go away and begin
life somewhere else"
But not without money"
''That is true" he answered, gloom
lily. 81 need two things first-money
and revenge"
Fearing to say more lest she might
further excite her lovers anger, the
girl remained silent.
Soon afterward Joe made some excuse
and left her. By twelve O'Clock the
quiet little hamlet was In state of in
tense excitement.
Richard Devine had been found badly
wounded on the roadside. In answer
to their inquiries he denounced Joe
Crawford as his assailant AMI would-be
murderer.
The village physician was hastily
summoned, and pronounced the case a
critical one. There was one chance in a
hundred for Devine's recovery, he said,
and he might not live until midnight.
The wounded man was informed of his
danger, and wicked glitter came in his
eyes.
''Bring Nancy Sheppard here while |
make my dying statement" said he,
''and let few of the villagers be called
in as witnesses.
Terror-stricken at the accusation rest
ing upon her lover, and dreading il to
be the truth, she came. Richard De-
vine then said that he had met Joe
Crawford that morning, and that the
latter had uttered threats against MIN.
About an hour afterward he had been
suddenly attacked at quiet spot upon
the road by his enemy. He had de-
Tended himself to the best of his power
with the butt end of his broken riding
whip, and had succeeded in leaving
some bad bruises upon his assail-
ants face. The latter, finding himself
molested, had drawn his knife and
stabbed him, leaving him for dead on
the road. There was a sudden commo-
ton at the door, and presently the ac-
cused murderer, guarded by two men,
was brought into the room. His face was
discolored with blood and severely cut.
He attempted to speak; but such a
storm of execration broke upon his ears
that he folded his arms and was silent.
Another witness now stepped for
ward in Devine's behalf. 1t was man
who had long been suspected of being a
spy in Devine's interest. He had over
heard the conversation that had passed
between the parties in the morning. He
also testified that Crawford's last words
before leaving the girls side were, ''I
need two things-mOney and revenge"
Richard Devine glanced toward the
girl with looks ofmalignant hatred. ''If
| do die, as | think | shall, my mur-
derer shall not escape" said he, grimly.
Then he signed his name to the state
ment which the doctor had drawn upat
his dictation.
"WilI you solemnly swear, in the
presence of this company, that all you
say herein is true?'' asked the doctor
gravely.
"I do" was the decisive reply.
"And that you accuse Joe Crawford
as being your murderer
eyes"
"You are a perjurer and double
dyed yillain," exclaimed a wrathful
voice, and stranger strobe into their
midst.
His clothes were stained with blood,
and his face was as pale as death.
Richard Devine's eyes opened wide
in terror.
'sThe dead have returnedr' he
gasped.
"Aye, to avenge the living!" was the
stern reply. "You would sacI ifice q
man on the gallows, and perjure your
self on your death-bed for revenge
Listen, men, to what have to say:
"Years ago Richard Devine, as he
calls himself, was my partner in busi-
ness. BY lies and trickery he gained
my confidence. Ore bright morning /
awoke to find myself beggar. Every
dollar had been stolen from me by that
scoundrel, who suddenly disappeared.
$50 poor was that | was compelled
to send my wife and child TO their dist
ant home on the coast of Maine, until L
could obtain a footing. The vessel was
wrecked with all on board. From that
hour /, Roger Sherwood, lived only for
revenge.
"For years 1 have been engaged in
nv search for this villain. To day i
met him. He was then engaged in an
angry conversation with the man he
now charges as his murderer. At last
he struck the young fellow savagely in
the face. and galloped off.
81 watched where he went. and sud-
denly presented myself before him.
He knew me in an instant, and OWNED
my purpose.
before | could reach him, he drew
out pistol and shot me. l retaliated
with knife-thrust, and then tainted
from pain.
"When came to my senses, found
myself lying among the rocks on the
sea-shore. Richard Devine had thought
me dead, and thus disposed of my body.
81 managed to stagger to the nearest
hut, and there learned that my enemy
was dangerously wounded, and had de-
nounced Joe Crawford as his murderer.
"Speak, Richard Devine, and tell me,
do not speak truly?"
The man covered in terror, and re-