The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1885-12-26
AN ACTORS STORY
Related IN JOHN COLEMAN

Related ~ JOHN COLEHAN
for hers!' And 70 he entered the room. To
his establishment she was not there. The
door closed after him with bang, and he
found himself entrappel. He was con-
frontel on the one hand ~ MacAllister, on
the other by Deempsttr, both desperate
men, with loaded pistols IN their hands. He
was prisoner, alone, unarmed, defenselessl
There was q moments pause-then Mac
Allister handed to Deempster a sheet Of
paper. on which a few lines were hastily
scrawled
"Will it dor hs inquired
Eyes" responded the other.
''Now, you sir" said MacAllister. "listen
to what am about to say, and don't inter-
rupt me. Fifty years ago, il fellow like
yol-'
Fellow me no fellows, sir, " replied Curly,
Il am Campbell"
Campbell BE- ID! They were aye
get of thieving caterahs, the best Of them,
but they were men, not spangls- jacks, and !
tell you that fifty years ago, had the best o
your blood done to a MacAllister what you
have done to me and mine his day, my for
bears would have given lun .je lburgh law
they'd have hanged him tirsr. and tried him
after! You're not WORTH swinging for, else
I'd think no more of shooting you than
wringing the neck OF muir fowl
"You are Flora's father, sir, and for her
sake endure these bitter words"
you'll endure more before I've done
Now listen, it you've any regard for YOU
life, answer me clearly and quickly, ant
above all truthfully. Yon demented CIR
swears that you are her husband; that I
know to he liel But she has been in youe
charge two days and nights. Have yea
wronged herf
tfon. think should know how to answer
him. You are her father, and forgive
you; but, IA God is my Judge, she is a. pure
as when she left your roof two nights ago"
And she is not your wifef'
Would to heaven she werer'
Good Now read this paper.''
Curly took up the paper and read these
cruel words:
These presents are to attest that Flora
Mac Allister Is not my wife; and call God
to witness that neither now nor hereafter
will l seek to become her husband.
DONALD CAMPBELL
"Dudhope Ferry, May 18th, IS"
"You have read" said MacAllister.
Curly assentel in silence.
Now; your answer"
my answer is this" said the young man,
tearing the paper in pieces, and casting the
fragments to his feet.
Just So" said MacAllister 'sDan'l,
copy yon paper Cnce more"
Strathmines locked the outer door, and.
putting the key in his pocket, began to
write. AS he wrote, not sound could he
heard save the scribbling Of the pen on the
paper.
While the old man locked the inner door
Curly looked through the window. It was
small-so small that there was no possibility
of escape that way. No human being an
peared within sight or sound. Then he
looked towards the fireplace. There Law the
poker, primitive and unromantic weapon.
1t is true; but II he could only reach it!
Quickly as he moved towards the hearth
stone MacAllister was quicker still, with
the pistol at his head.
mo, You don't, my mannie,' said he,
grimly. us the paper done, Dan'la"
ut is, replied the other.
"Read it aloud, then. that there NAV be
no mistake about It'll" Deempster read it
aloud. 1t was textually word for word
with the document which Curly had de-
stroyed. Now" said MacAllister, ''there's
my WATCH" and he placed it on the table,
four; il at half-past you've not signed that
paper, by the living God I'll chance this
world and the next. and put the contents of
this pistol into your head the next minutev'
The young man dartetl towards the door.
Eut was intercepted by Deempster, also
pistol in hand. Poor Curly! he was any,
hing hut q hero, but better or drawer
t'a'i might have felt daunted placed be-
tween the pistols OF these stalwart and des.
p@rate men. He loved Flora MacAllister
letter than any thing in the wcrld-better
ven than lie. Ii by sacrificing his own
sl@ h could have saved hers, | think he
NJ ult have found courage to do 50. But
liz reasoned that she was safe enough for
- present; iesides, while there was life
th'rc was hope. These ind thousand
her thoughts passed. through his mind
'nring those five minutes. Five minutes
iii says should have said five ages of
,2nny.
Times up" said MacAllister, cooking
It's pistol.
'one moment" said Curly. II will sign,
tbs paper on two conditions
Name them," said the old man sternly.
First, that You will promise me not to
coerce her into marrying this" Indicating
Deempstei) ''or any other man."
MacAllister ruminated a moment and said,
Il PROMISE
"Next-that you'll let me see her to say
'good-bye-before YOU, if you desire it, but
rot before yon,ler man"
'Yonder mans eyes flashed fire. and
Curly heard the click of his pistol, but the
hate in his heart gave him courage and he
faced his enemy to his teeth.
Embellishments he thinking, wonder.
that he had been Dung once himselfe-inter.
posed with:
''That'l do, DAHL Confound it! We can't
have it all our own way, and our own way
Of having it. too! The lad shall saw good
bye to her.
You promise that shall SEQ her then!'
81 ,,,nO,iSo Nr.v