Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-12-09


minute, but you're true brave man
that would never do evil in the dark
Sure know better than that,''
Hugh laughed again-a wild fiercs
laugh that ratified in his throat.
The girl began to tremble little.
Hugh, if there's harm done by him
it will be the death of mel" she said
family.
The smith made no answer, but turn
ed TO leave her. He had barely reached
the gate when she was once more be
side him. her warm breath on his asher
cheek.
"Hugh-oh, Hughln she sobbed.
Then strong shudder seized the
man; he turned and faced the girl whers
she stood.
Heaven knows hoN well / love ye
Maudeen O'Shea," he cried hoarsely-
"how well, how welll See now; give mt
one kiss-just One-and put your two
ants on my head and say, 'Heaver
speed We, Hugh Slievanl' and I'll no;
be after troublin' ye again.
And Maudeen, though she trembled
still, did as she was bid.
Heaven speed ye, Hugh Slievanp
she murmured through her tears, and
laid her two hands on his bowed head
and kissed him.
Then the smith leapt the gate, and
was gone from her sight.
a few houIs later, as the chill mist:
OF evening gathered over the bogs, four
men wen1ed their way by separate paths
towards the bend of road that Law be-
tween the BalIina demesne and the
farm owned by Widow O'Shea. They
all made for the same spot-a broken
bit of wall enclosing a thicket of frs
bordering the road. The first three
who reached this place carried rifles;
these they laid carefully on the fern al
their feet, and then, covering behind
The wall, they began to search the road
with impatient eyes.
Half an hour passed.
Seems to me he's desperate long il
eon-in','' mutterej one. They were the
first words that were spoken.
''He'll wish he'd been longer pres
entlyl' laughed another IN reply.
The crackle of dry twig in the wood
behind at that instant made the hearts
of the watching men leap within them.
They turned round it was Black Hugh.
''Sure, Mister Slievan, ye might have
trusted us!' laughed one uneasily.
"Troth, there's none | trust like
yourself, Tim, was the rely. II just
came to see as ye wanted for nothin.
Ye might make that middle loop hole
deeper, Pm thinkIn'. And, Nike, ladl''
His brother raised his handsome
young face to him.
whats that, Hugb2n
"When all's over, never look into the
road, but run straight back to the forge.
And see here Il don't like that old
ye've gotten. YeIl put
in big charge, and it'll be Ike to burst,
Here's my own fowlin'-piece-it's load
ed ready for ye.n
''All right!n said the other; aud the
brothers exchanged guns.
"Shoot straight, boys, and steady, "
urged the smith. Then he LAID his hard
on young Mikes shoulder, looked bin
In the face, and gave deep Sign.
"Good night, ladI' he said gently.
But, as he turned to leave them-for
it was none of his duty to watch for
what followed-he muttered-
''Poor Mikel There's none VIII take
truer aim, nor any that'll be SO glad
twas with an empty cartridge"
Seems to me Hugh's tired to- night, -
one of the men, as they
him pass slowly through the
wood. she walks heavy like"
The dusk had somewhat deepened
when those waiting for 1t at length de-
scribed solitary figure advancing along
the road that led past their ambush.
The figure was tall, its gait was swift
and steady, like that of one bound on a
pleasant errand.
''Be sure it's him, Timl" muttered
young Mike through his set teeth.
He wears a light coat; and twirls
his stick about"
That's himl" jeered another. "He'll
not 60 courtin' after this night Pm
thinkin'."
"Now, lads, steady your rifiesi''
The muzzle of three guns were i'm
raised to the loop holes.
The solitary figure still advanced.
They could not see the mans face, for
liS head was turned to the right, where
N hollow mile distant shone light
from Maudeen O'Shea's window. With
swift steady steps the man walked
straight to his doom.
As he came in line with the rifles
here flashed out at him three tongues
If fire,
No answering cry was heard; but, IS
he loud rattle of the volley stopped
short, choked in the bog-mists, there
the thud of heavy body fall
ng on the hard road.
Silently. and but for brief second,
he men hung behind their shelter.
Then they rose from their knees, and
without one pitiful look across the wall
zach turned his back on his companion
md stole into the gloom.
Perhaps ten minutes had elapsed when
mother solitary wayfarer approached
he spot. He whistled as he walked,
trlding along swiftly and without
,ause until within few yards of the
ir-wood. Then something on the road
something that he at first took for
lothing more than a gray bundle
,aught hiseyes.
When, in the dim light, he ascertain
d it to be man, his steps insensibly
Iuickened. The blood-sprinkled dust
aade him shudder as he stopped over
he recumbent form. A swift glance,
hen he fell upon his knees and raised
he wounded man in his arms.
"Hugh," he cried-"Hugh Slieyanl
food heavens, what's thisy"
He thought he spoke to dead ears:
,ut at the sound of his rivals voice
he smith opened his heavy eyes.
"It's all right" he gasped feebly-
rs all right, John Elliott; better me
han you. All, this ball in my throatl
Raise me, raise mel So-now I can
'reathe. What was sayin'? Maudeen
tell her it was for her done it
maybe she'll behave L loved her nowl
let me fale your hand-the Ill.will's
YIN with me, for sure. I-don't-
nind-sO- that - she'll be - happy,
ybere's Mike? Mother o. Mercyp'
Tie fierce eyes closed; the weary
cad fell back on the rangers arm; the
estless spirit of Black Hugh had fed
n jts makar