The Republican journal., 1884-09-25

itated. 81 don't want to be hard on the
fellow. He looks like a very decent
lad"
zone of the best mechanics in Kit
terry" interrupted Donner, "and engag-
ed to pretty, good girl"
"Umph! Have you Jail? | must
make sure of my man, if | stay over
night"
"No. But be can be locked up in my
office, as safely as in any Jail"
81 have waited for eighteen years. |
suppose one night more can make little
difference" said the Major, wishing to be
as kind as possible.
While this colloquy was going on, Shep
Wolfe pressed through the crowd up to
Matt.
"They're raising moLey to buy you
off," he whispered, smiling.
"Buy me Off 1t is proved, then"
ooh, yes. But there'll be a compro-
mise"
Matt staggered back The constable
caught and upheld him. At that mo-
ment, Edison, Jennie's father, grimy from
the forge, hurried up, and held out both
his black hands to Matt.
"Sad business, Mr.. Edson," interposed
Wolfe. "But they'll buy him off"
"What difference does that make p
said Matt, fiercely 'If it's true, let me
60. It's all at an end here"
But the blacksmith held on to Matt
tightly.
DANCED if | believe one word of it,
he swore. "Nor will Jennie, neither, if
know my gal. Here she comes. Stand
back, gentlemen, if you please Seems
to me she's got more right here than any
of u.s."
Jennie passed through the crowd. She
saw none of them. When she saw Matt
she put up her white face to be kissed as
usual, as if no one was near.
"What are you trembling for p she
said, seizing his arms, in kind Of breath
less anger. "Why do you look so wretch
ed? One would think YOU you believe
it. | would fight to the death before |
would give in"
"But," said Shep, softly, "if it's true,
what is there to fight ?"
For her answer, Jennie only looked up
in MATHS face, and smiled
Major Starr came up.
''Sherif1, will you hold this man until
tomorrow morning. You are RESPONSE
bic for HIM. Mr.. Bonner will furnish a
secure room to confne him in"
''We will not give Mr.. Bonner that
trouble,' said loud, commanding voice
and DR.. Gotf sprang off his horse, and
pushed aside the crowd. Take your
hand, Sheriff, Off hat man. can satisfy
you," turning to Starr. "Mr. Habersham
is the son of a small planter in Virginia ;
a drunken fellow, whose brutalilies drove
his wife to fly with her son. | had a
correspondence with him all about it be-
fore his death, and have the letters to
prove what say"
"And where is my Lydia, then ?"
'lour Lydia, suspect, was woman
known here as White Lie, who came to
kittery about the same time as Mrs
Habersham. She and her boy are both
dead. You can hear all about them in
the negro quarter. Come, Habersham,
my wife is waiting supper for you. Come,
Jennie"
In another hour the sudden storm of
excitement had died out of the village.
Starr and the posse We're gone, and Matt
and Jennie, slowly walking down the
shady lane to their house, could see the
white puff of dust which marked their
way up the hill road.
The lovers opened the little gate and
went INTO the quiet parlor. The moon
shone family in through the windows.
"Was it only last night that we we're
here Z" said Habersham. sit seems
long time; as if had been down through
death since then"
'But stayed beside you there" she
said, with trembling laugh, 81 always
will. | always will"
On the inn porch, Donner, the Colonel,
and all the other men of the village, dis
cussed the great event of the day.
''But, gentlemen" said Donner, i'm
'pressively, II am only surprised that
Shep had nothing to do with that affair.
| have always expected that fellow to
show the VOLTS teeth under the lambs
skin. And he'll do it, some day, Mark
my words"