Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-03-08
ridingcane threateninglv.

all the powers, III do as L threaten
ed If hear of you attempting TO
persecute Nancy again with your in
suits, Tn have your life ~
"An ugly threat, that, my man" "
said De7iue, scowling blackly. II
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 eff.
"Oh, Joe" !" exclaimed, the girl,
bitterly, you've ruined yourself
now You can do nothing against
such an enemy as Richard Devine. "
1.-THE world is large, Nancy" lie
replied. 1--WE can go away and be-
gin life somewhere else"
But not without money"
"That is true" he answered,
glcomily. 81 need two things first
money and revenge"
Fearing to say more lest she might
further excite her lovers anger, the
glrl remained silent.
Soon afterward Joe made some ex-
cuse and left her. BY twelve O'Clock
the qniet little hamlet was in state
of intense excitement.
Richard Devine had been found
badly wounded on the roadside. In
answer to their inquiries he denomc-
ed Joe Crawford us his asSailant and
woald-be murderer.
The village physician was hastily
summoned, and pronounced the case
u critical one. There WAS one chance
in q hundred for Devine's recovery,
he said, and be might not live until
midnight. The wounded man WAS
Informed of his danger, and a wick
ed glitter came in his eyes.
Bring Nancy Sheppard here while
l make my dying statement" said
he, land let few Of the villagers be
called in as witnesses.
Terrier stricken at the accusation
resting upsn her lover. an;i dreading
it To be the truth, she came. Rich !
ard DcviEe then said that he had
met Joe Crawford that morning,
md that the latter had uttered
threats against him. About an hour
asterward lie had been suddenly at !
tackled at quiet spot upon the road
by his enemy. He had defended
himself To the best Of his power with /
the butt end IF his broken riding
whip, and had succeeded in leaving
some bad bruises upon his aSsail-
ants face. The latter finding him
self molested, had drawn his knife
and stabbed him, leaving him for
dead on the road. There was Il sud-
den commotion at the door, and !
presently the accused murderer, /
guarded by two men, WAS brought
into the room. His face was discol- +
ored with blood, ard severely cut.
He attempted TO speak but such q
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. Ii Was a I
man who had long been suspected of
being a spy in Devine's interest. lie
had overheard the conversation that
had passed between the parties in j
the morning. He also testified that
Crawford's last words before leaving
the girls side were, Il need two
and revenge"
Richard Devine glanced toward |
the girl with looks of malignant hat
red. "If do die. as think sia !, /
my murderer shall noG escape" :" said
he, grimIy.
Then he signed his name to the
statement which the doctor had
drawn up at his dictation.
"WiIl you solemnly swear, in the
presence Of this company, that all !
you say herein is true p" asksd the !
doctor gravely.
81 do" was the decisive reply.
"And that you accuse Joe Craw- /;
ford as being YOUR murderer 2"
Yes"
''You are periurer and a double /
dyed william ~ exclaimed a wrath /
full voice, and stranger strobe into !
their midst.
His clothes were stained with
blood, and his face was as pals as
death. /
Riehard Devine's eyes opened .
wide in terror.
The dead have returned :" he !
gasped.
Aye, to avenge the living - WAS
the stern reply. ''You would sacri- !
flee man on the gallOws, and per-
jure yourself Oh your death bed for .
revenge ! Listen, men, to what |
have To say
Years ago Richard Devine, as he
oils biOCalc Urao n,y ,,.,rtnnr -,