The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-11-20


following it for about a mile, 1 climb
ed over a gate, and landed on the
side OF a Hill.
l started in astonishment. ] was
back in my old quarters. and before
mo was the cottage of the dead man.
Presently discerned a human figure
moving rapidly along, but when l
looked again it had disappeared. AL
most disposed to think that my fancy
had deceived nc, l was h~esitating
what to do next, when | saw the cot
tage window lit up from within.
! hurried across, and as l got near
l heard q strange noise, followed by q
sound Ike the chinking Of money.
Then came u shout, and q hoarse
laugh rang harsh and loud on the
damp night air.
crept to the window and looked
in.
The first object that met my view
was Cole. He was sitting ON the bed.
A trap-door. Of the existence of which
l had been ignorant, was open at his
feet, and on tho table beside him were
II number of bank notes, and a guam
tity of silver and gold. Sovereigns
and shillines were tumbled carlessly
together, and he was ihrusting his
hands among the coins and letting
them slip through his fingers with an
appearance of tho highest relish. l
drew back in horror silent, breath
less, my blood curdling in my veins
rs | bcheld him.
DE had never noticed my presence:
he PAID no attention l" anything but
the money he WAS gloating over
the money which WAS the price of q
crime.
l Withdrew a little way off 10 regain
my breath and decide IN my course of
action. AL lirst thought OF summon
ing Joyce to assist me-, but my dread
OF what might happen To the farrier in
my absence induced me to abandon
the idea, and ended by dctermin-
ing to arrest MIN myself single
handed and unarmed. 1t wat Il Ies-
perate task, but there was no help
for it. g
Resolved on this, l took the pistol
from my pocket and drew the charge.
Next l removed my coal and rolled up
my shirt sleeves o the elbow. Then
stcalthily raising the latch Of the door
l threw it open.
Ia lAC liiliCi COul1OulSu llC, /
saw an awful look of CONSERVATION
pass over his face; his complex
ION turned to the hue OF lead: his
figure grow rigid and m~otionless.
AT that momcn | pitied him from my
soul.
''Wm. Cole" said l, calmly, Il ar
rest you in the name Of the law"
He staggered to Ills feet. and his
lips moved, though he said nothing. |
kept my back to the door, and walked
boldly up to him. There was q fierce
glitter iii his eyes rs they stared into
mine. He seemed quite passive, but
the instant he felt my hand on his
shoulder he shook it oil, and, with a
savage yell. sprang straight at my
throat. In another minute we had
closed, and were graphing together
in deadly conflict.
We were not unequally matched. In
youth and freshness, 1 had the advan-
tage over the farrier, whom the sud
denness of the surprise had somewhat
unnerved. and who seemed reluctant
at the outset to exert his whole force.
But sh reluctance did not last loug,
and as his arms frightened their en-
brace, l knew it would be as much as
l could do to overpower him. His lean
frame had an elasticity, his grip a firm
ness, that would hardly have been ex-
pected from his appearance, and the
fury of madness treblcd his strength.
| would not strike him; l struggled as
a wrestler to bring him down to the
ground. We rocked, and strained,
and reeled till the floor shook
under weight. and the door
and window ratified again. BY de-
grees l began to tire him, aud to
drive him backward in the direction
OF the bed. when, just rs l was collect
ing my energies for a final effort, my
foot slipped aud 1 fell heavily to the
ground.
III vain l tried to rise-I was held
fast and my position gave me nc
chance Of releasing myself. Still |
did not realize my actual peril till,
writing quickly round, he knelt upon
me and | saw in his hand q long,
bright knife.
Death. Well, evcn so. 1t was but
dying one and I was quit OF it for
ever.
Suddenly, all in . second as it were,
l heard the door creak--something
"pAh "HllfCu pNSl iDo llhc u ClOuu-
there was the dull thud Of a blow and
Cole, hurled across the room, struck
against the table with such rudeness
that it overturned aud sent the coins
spinning in every direction. l got
upon my feet unhurt. but breathing
quicker. and found myself face tt face
with Joyce. l looked for the farrier-
he was lying senseless in the opposite
corner.
"a close shave indeed.' said nv
comrade. with his old, easy gaye.y.
You never had such a squeak for it
in your life, Elder"
l knew that as well as he did, and
after thanking him warmly for his
timely aid, l made him acquainted
with the startling vents of The last
half hour. l WILL say nothing of the
terms in which Joyce expressed his
opinion Of my conduct, almost wiring
ing my hand off in the fervor of his
enthusiasm.
'Our duty now is to secure the far
rier and get him away as quietly as
possible said. land the sooner
the better"
We searched the cupboard till we
found n coil of rope, with which we
bound Cole hand and foot before he
was conscious OF what was being done
to him. Before daybreak it vas known
all over the country that the murderer
of Branweli had been discovered and
was safe in u custody. He was,
however. acquitted ri his TT al-the
medical evidence proving. beyond the
possibility of doubt. that he was then
insane and had been insane for a long
time. He died a month later, having
never once spoken a single word to
anyone after the verdict, which con-
signed him to a mad house for the re-
mainder of his DAYS.