The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-02-12

| Dutu Oh buem Iell IN love Win DOQplo
Maggie Faulder-iust as mad in love as
two such proud, t-in-their-own-w
fellows were like to be. Maggie kind
of favored David, and Renald swore
If he married her, he ehight buy dirk
with the wedding ring.
"Then old Faulder sent Maggie
away to some southwark friends, and
David and Ranaid went on to the roll of
his maiesty's attorneys, and both of them
settled down to pleading causes and at
tending to other peorle's business.
But they were always watching one
another; and when David was put up
for some rich county office-clerk of the
rolls, think-Ranald was furious, and
spent both time and gold freely in order
to defeat him. suppose he did it.
Anyhow, his opponent, James Laing,
won, and David was out of place and
pocket. Soon after, james Laing was
found dead in his Office, with q dirk
through his throat.
"Suspicion gathered swiftly and Ger.
tainly around David McMaister. He
was, as have said before, passionate
and proud man. It could not be denied
that he had spoken very bitterly of his
opponent, and many threat uttered in
anger was now remembered against
him.
!" His arrest and imprisonment seemed
almost to deprive him of his senses. He
denied his guilt in the most solemn
terms, but could give no account of him.
self during the hour in which the MUIR
der had been committed, except that he
had been in liquor in his own room.
This apology added little to his defense;
and many, even of his intimate acquaint-
ances. believed him to be guilty.
Probably because of the well-known
hatred between the men, the prosecu-
ton elected Ranald McNair to conduct
their case. Nothing 80 exciting as this
trial had agitated every circle of society
since the landing of Prince Charlie.
Houses were divided, friends quarreled,
and immense bets were laid on its issue.
"While it was pending Maggie Faul-
der returned, and Ranald was now
doubly anxious for the success of his
prosecution. It was wonderful what
acumen and industry and eloquence he
brought to bear on it. His summing up
aud final speech electrified every one.
applause at its close. and everybody
OOublOCLOQ bl4O NOEQiCb bobbl0us
"But the Judge was just and merci-
full man, and he did not put the question
TO the jury that night; he thought, you
see, that it was only fair to let the men
have time to look at both sides coolly.
Still, Ranald was sure of his verdict,
aud greatly elated at the sensation he
had made, especially as Mr.. Faulder
stopped to congratulate him; and even
the beautiful Maggie, pale and fearful
as she was, faltered out some words
which he took for O compliment.
He had his dinner in his own cham.
bers, aud then in reflections after his
own heart passed several hours. In
them he fell asleep, for toward midnight
he was aroused by shake SO powerful
that he would have leaped to his feet,
ouly that two brawny hands held him
tight in his chair.
"In moment his senses were all
alert, and he saw, bending over him,
gigantic Highlandman, in whose thews
lie knew even his strength would be as
that OF baby.
"'You are Campbell, / know by
your plaid. Now what do you want with
me?' asked Ranald, fercely.
fDl0 bblAAg uO4 move III lllcu,
while | tell you. / killed James Laing
] killed him because, while he was shoot
ing on the braes of Angus last year, he
wronged my sister so deeply that be-
hooyed to kill her too. watched until
all his new followers had gone; then /
walked into his room and put my dirk
through his throat. I had wrongs to
right, and righted them: but yon man
you spoke against to-day knows nothing
of the matter. 1 don't want to murder
him too, Tell the police that the man
who killed James Laing is Alexander
Campbell. They can look for him in
Butte; maybe they will find him, and
maybe they will not
Without another word he was gone,
and Ranald was too shocked to detain
him. even if he had the power. How
ever, he made no spontaneous effort,
aud when reflection came he determined
not to do it. He could not bear to give
up his triumph ; he knew the temper of
popular feeling, and was sure that,
David's innocence assured, David would
become the popular idol. He had labor
ed for his ruin-how could he now give
up his object And then he thought of
Maggie, and that thought decided him.
No, nothing should now induce him to
retrace his steps.
"The next morning in court he had
another chance TO clear his soul. The
prisoner had received from some person
in the press paper assuring him that
Ranald had been notified of his inno-
cence, and would proclaim it in the
court. David begged the officer to pass
this paper over to Ranald, and he eager
ly scanned his face while he read it. The
two enemies looked moment into each
others eyes, and then Ranald, with a
scornful smile, tore the paper into frag-
ments.
$50 David was sentenced that day,
and in due time hung with all the cir
cumstances of barbarity and indignity
then common to the last act of the law.
Ill "a y L.------Ia