Connecticut western news., 1877-02-16

hCoA OA JOu dICempIluS IO pcISeCuIc Nancy again with your insults, I'll have your life!"
 "An ugly threat, that, my man," said Devine, scowling blackly. "I see how the land lies now, and I'll 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- emy 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 fly. 'T need two things first--money and revenge" .s.. r-.s. ..s.i z.
 Fearing to say more lest she might further excite her lover's anger, the girl remained silent. l a..E *-...
 Soon afterward Joe made some excuse and left her. By twelve o'clock the quiet little hamlet was in g. state of in- tense excitement. ....... .. .. >- Q.
 Richard Devine had been found badly wounded on the roadside. In answer to their inquiries he denounced Joe Crawford as his assailant and would.be murderer.
 The village physician was hastily summoned, and pronounced the case 8 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 I make my dying statement," said he, ''and let few of the villagers be called in as witnesses" ,fN Hf .H -f.+
 .Terror-strieken at the accusation rest ing upon her lover, and dreading it 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 him. 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.7 The latter, finding himself molested, had drawn his knife and stabbed him, leaving him for dead on the road. There was a sudden commo- tion at the door, and presently the ac- cused murderer, guarded by two men, was brought into the room. His face was 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. It 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 of malignant hatred. of do die, as think 1 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.
 F'Will 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. s "And that you accuse Joe Crawford as being your murderer?"
 s'Yes." <= .-+ .' -.zE -
 'FYou are a perjurer and double dyed villain!" exclaimed a wraUhful voice, and a stranger strode 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. --+
 'The dead have returnedw he gasped. ...* ..... .-.
 "Aye, to avenge the livingp was the stern reply. "You would sacI ifice a man on thegallows, 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. One bright morning l awoke to find myself a beggar. Every dollar had been stolen from me by that scoundrel, who suddenly disappeared.
 "So poor was that l was compelled to send my wife and child to their dist ant home on the coast of Maine, until could obtain footing. The vessel was wrecked with all on board. From that hour l, Roger Sherwood, lived only fo1 revenge.
 "For years have been engaged in my search for this villain. To day 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 ir the face, and galloped off.
 "I watched where he went, and sud denly presented myself before him He knew me in an instant, and divinet my purpose.
 l "Before could reach him, he drew out pistol and shot me. retaliatet with knife-thrust, and then faintet from pain. -.-
 "When I'came to my senses, I found myself lying among the rocks on thu sea-shore. Richard Devine had though me dead, and thus disposed of my body
 "I managed to stagger to the neares hut, and there learned that my enem, was dangerously wounded, and had de nounced Joe Crawford as his murderer
 "Speak, Richard Devine, and tell me do 1 not speak truly?"
 | The man covered In terror, and re