The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-08-26


of spending the evening was probably
the only explanation Of his presence
The others knew him as Arnold Watts.
an associate in some capacity of Col.
Dingley in the mill enterprise, and their
opinions differed as to the rumor that
gave him the distinction of killing two
men and wounding third at a scrim-
mage down at Guillion's Bar. Those
who believed this story spoke OF him with
becoming respect; those who did not
were occasionally insolent to his face. Ag
watched him furtively, while seeming to
be wholly engaged in emptying bottles
into tumblers. He sat in tipped back
chair, with his half-closed eyes idly fol-
lowing the antics of the men who were
yet On their feet, and glass of whisky
untouched on the table beside him.
When Billy Wilk returned, Ag saw
that Nell Dingley had rejected him. She
did not need to ask him whether the girl
said ives" or ''no." She paused in her
work involuntarily, because she was
dumbfounded. That any woman could
resist Blly's wooing was beyond her
comprehension. She covertly beckoned
him to the bar, and poured from the hid
den bottle, out of sight, brimmer from
the private stock. He caught up the
glass and drank the whisky in gulps.
Leaning across the bar, and closing her
hands over one of his fists, she said:
''She must be foolin' ye Billy. Gals
will amoose themselves. Durn her white
hide. F."
''she didn't fool me, Ag." And Billy
was low. rapid and earnest in his speech
sShe owned she loved me. There
wasn't shadow of coquetry in all she
did I've had her in my arms, Ag-
right atop my heart. here"
'Thar-don't mind that. What made
her lilt ye? Skip the rest, an get to
that.
Because she must marry the man
who sits at the table-Arnold Watts.
Don't glare at him-he mustn't know
what she's told me. He's the real owner
of the mill, because he owns Colonel
DINGHY, and he demands the Colonel's
daughter for a wife. He carries In the
belt under his shirt a note which the
Colonel was somehow driven to forge.
So it's prison for the father, or the altar
with the girl. It's heavens truth, Ag,
for she said SO. Oh, I could kill the
scoundrel."
He turned from the bar toward Watts
80 ferociously, and spoke SO loud, that
even Bantam, who had been motionless
on his back for ten minutes, sat up and
stared. Ag was outside the bar in an
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 a laugh. "Thar's the trouble
with bra1ny chaps-they halnt 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.
'Ye mustn't snout yer secret, Billy.
What was We thinkin' on? Maggie to
yer room, lock yerself in, and fergit
whaf ye put the key"
Billy obeyed mechanically, and Az.
after watching him to his door with
semblance on her rugged face of the
tender expression which is the outward
mark of woman's love, returned to the
bar-roon1.
The episode had not impressed the
fuddled observers deeply, and they
asked her no questions. Even Watts
curiosity was not aroused. She eyed
him closely for awhile until she was sat
lsfied on that point, Then creases 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 revelry Of the sur
vlvors 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, I reckon no.
body would touch the glass after ye-so
the juice mought ez we'll be throw'd
away"
She caught up the tumbler and dashed
its contents into his face. He took the
act for what it seemed-the wanton in
sultofa sudden BARRON foe who wanted
u fight. Nor did the others discern any
difference between her manner now and
when they had seen her RECKLESS as
sailant on previous occasions. He paused
an instant, as though hesitating to en-
counter woman, and would have re-
treated If she had not gripped his arm
and whirled him round. The spectators
intuitively cleared a space. Sleepers
were quietly poked and awakened.
There was moment of silent expecta-
ton. Then Ag's right arm Strengthened
out, and her fist reached his face with a
loud "spat. " Instantly they were to-
gether, wrestling furiously, tramping
heavily to and fro, knocking over chairs
and tables, and writhing in each others
locked arms. Then they few 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 in her arms had
bulged like an athletes, and the cords
had risen with the tension. She stood,
with her bosom heaving 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.
'sGive me the note we've got it in your
belt," she hoarsely whispered; "the
forged note-I know it is thar-or I'll
have your life.
She whipped ont a knife. He was not
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 flash cut
it through his clothes. To pull open the
pocket required both her hands, and
when the choking stopped, he cried out
with an oath that she was robbing him.
A terrific blow on his mouth prevented
him from being understood by the ex-
cited spectators. The papers in the belt
were torn out, and then, crumpling them
into wad in her hands, she let him get
up. He staggered back, drew revolver,