The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-07-20
He turned from the bar toward Wat


instant, grasping Billy in her brawny
arms, and forcing him to the door lead
ing to the boarders' rooms.
"The pizen's got to his top" she said,
forcing laugh. "Thar's the trouble
with brainy chaps-they haint got no
capacity He's only fit for bed, an
that's whar he's gone"
The onslaught was so unexpected that
Billy was hustled into the passage before
he had time to object, and if he had re-
sisted he would have been no match for
the woman who held him. 81.
"Ye mustn't shout yer secret, Billy.
What was We thinkin' on? Maggie to
yer room, lock yerself in, and fergit
whar we put the key"
Billy obeyed mechanically, and Ag.
after watching him to his door with a
sembance on her rugged face of the
tender expression which is the outward
mark of woman's love, returned to the
bar-room.
The episode had not impressed the
fnddled observers deeply, and they
asked her no questions Even Watts
curiosity was not aroused. She eyed
MIN closely for awhile until she was sat
isiied on that point Then crcases came
between her eyebrows, and an ominous
compression to her lips. But whatever
she meditated, there was lack of her
accustomed impUlsiveness. Folding her
barred arms, she apparently surveyed
the company. The rGvelry of the sur
yiyors was too far along to be disturbed
by her black scowling, Only Arnold
Watts saw it, and he was soon aware
that her eyes were cleaning at him. Her
aspect alarmed him, if it did not disturb
his placid exterior, and he rose from his
chair to retire. The whisky was still in
the glass by his side, Ag strobe across
the room.
"Be We too proud TO drink with the
boys?' she cried. "Wall, | reckon no.
body would touch the glass after ye-so
the juice mought Ell well be tmow'd
away.
She caught up the tumblcr and dashed
| its contents into his face He took the
act for what it secmed-the wanton in
sultof n sudden bar-room foe who wanted
Il fight. Nor did tho others discern any
| difference between her manner now and
when they had seen her RECKLESS as
sailant on previous occasions He paused
All instant, as though hcsitating to en-
counter woman, and would have re-
| treated il she had not gripped his arm
and whirled him round. The spectators
intuitively cleared space. Slccpers
were quietly poked and awakened.
| % oil L.,
ton. Then Ag's right arm Strengthened
out, and her fist reached his face with n
loud "spat." Instantly they were to-.
gothcr, wrestling furiously, tramping
heavily to and fro, knocking over chairs
and tables, and writhing in each others
locked arms. Then they flew apart, and
for an instant stood painting and glaring
The woman was first to close again
Darling upon her antagonist, she
wrenched him off his feet strained him
across her hip, and flung him heavily to
the floor. The feat hadn't been easily
done. The muscles i'll her arms had
bulged like an athletes, and the cords
had risen with the tension. She stood,
with her bosom hcaving and her wild
face aglow; but only for an instant for
when Watts began to scramble to his
feet she threw herself upon him, and
bore him down again.
"Give me the note yc'yc got 1t in your
belt" she hoarscly whispered; "thc
forged notc--I know it is thar-or I'll
have your life"
She whipped out a knife. He was rot
coward. The CLEAN of the blade did
| not make him obey. But her knee was
on his breast, and her hand on his throat.
She felt for the belt. and like n flash cut
it through his clothes l'opuIl open the
pocket required both her hands, and
when the choking stopped, he cried ont
with an oath that she was robbmg hIm.
! A terrific blow on his mouth prevented
him from being understood by the cN-
cited spectators. The papers in the belt
were torn out, and then, crrunplinR them
into n wad in her hands, she let him get
up. He staggered back, drew a revolver,
and fired before any one could hinder
Ag capped her hand to her side, and
blood ran ont on the papers. She turned
unsteadily half way round, and fell on
her face.
Call Billy WIKI, she said; "call him
quick
Billy heard the shot and was already
bending over her.
"lIerc hero" she continued in a wills
per, "thc crooked note is in this lot Of
papers. stick en- in yonr pocket
Thar
Arnold Watts undertook TO slip ont,
Il, 1 l.;
give got too much lead in me to ever
git up ag'in, boys, Ag continued, speak
ing with increased difficulty, so, good
bye. Don't bar no ill-will about tho
lookin' glass Come close, tilly.' lie
was holding her head on his knee
"Shake hands. Amt sorry fer what I've
done, an not much for what's happened
TO me. The gals youn, Billy-God
bless You've wanted the pretty critter,
and / was bound We should have her.
Take care o that note, an -
Billy felt the grip of her hand relax,
but smile stayed on her face until she
was dead, and afterward.
There was only one thing that could
possibly happen to Arnold Watts. He
knew it so well that he did not utter a
word of protest. The drunken and ex-
asperated miners hanged him. The job
was not as neat as though the accustom-
ed tree had been used, instead Of tho
empty frame of the big mirror; but they
would not leave out that sentimental ele-
ment, and Watts was the only sufferer
by the bungling. San Francisco ar
gOnaM. --.
"Dn you serve in the war, uncle? ?"
"No, sar was cowardly niggah. [