Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1888-08-03
VOL. XVI.

dogs that slept on the floor near Alb be-
came somewhat restless. An old hound
opened his eyes and pushed himself
nearer the door. The movement was
slight and noiseless, but Miriam sat up
and noted the animal for an instant, then
left her seat and stepped slowly past him
to the shed room. The dog followed her
into the chilly starlight beyond. Then
she stopped short and observed the
hound. Lifting his nose high, he shifted
suspiciously and gave low growl.
'What is it, Miriam"
The girl started. Heathe was beside
her, an agony of apprehension in his
countenance even as he grasped his gun
and held it ready to fire. Summit
strange is around Leader never mis-
takes" she whispered, creeping closer to
him. ''Do you think they are hunting
for you~
eyes, l know it. They are on my
track at last They are hunting for me
if they are hunting for anybody, but I'll
never be taken, Mirlam-neverm
"Taken9 No. It's not many get
taken in the mountings," was the scorn.
fll reply. "Leader'll give tongue time
enough; and remember the big hollow
tree back of the clearing-the rope is
always there to let you down in it, she
directed, in quick, low tones.
'Miriam," he whispered, "don't be-
lieve their black story of me-don't be-
lieve it. was there-I saw it-but l
didn't do it. / never intended the worst.
can't prove my innocence, but SOL
emnly tell you am innocentof the worst
the very worst you will hear"
Miriam laid her hand gently on his arm
her face grew tender-her voice soft
and tremulous.
81 care for you, John, whether it were
true or not. Go-now; Leader shifts
lower-quiet there. Leader-summut's
closerw
The girls startled, suppressed voice
became suddenly shrill in it's terror
Heathe sprang forward with an agile,
chamois-like bound and vanished in the
pines. The dogs inside the cabin as we'll
as out set up simultaneous howl. There
was no doubt of an alien presence near
at hand. Miriam rushed into the house
and fastened the door behind her.
1--WE know he's in there! !" shouted a
rough voice.
'He's there Give him up We're
goin' to have himl' chorused rougher
voices.
"It's better ter let 'em come, Mirry.
He's done swung hissef in 'gainst
now."
Alb unbarred the door, and opening
it stepped on the threshold in cool con-
temptation of the scene. Instantly
revolver was on each side of his gray
head.
"What be you arfter, Shurf" he
asked, thrusting him aside. The men
outside rushed rudely past him.
"You might as we'll give him up,
Ab," answered the Sheriff. "They've
tracked him out here, en- it's 'gainst the
law ter sheltur criminal. | don't
want'er rest a neighbor. The fellow
goes by the name of Heathe."
"We've got to search the premises,
Sheriff." bristled et-faced man,
more than usually energetic in his eff
forts.
The Sheriff smiled significantly.
''Ef you kin sarch these ERE premises,
why jes' go ahead, Mr.. Paxton-course,
SIR" he dryly responded.
'I've followed this Heathe for year
and 1 won't be beat now. There's re-
ward out for him-dead or alive-so you
may as we'll tell me where he is"
The man Paxton turned sharply upon
Miriam as he spoke.
"Heathe is not his name neither, Miss,
and I'll make it worth your while to
tell of him."
Miriam heard him in silence, set
resolute expression upon her face.
"You shall have part of the reward"
81 don't touch blood money!" she
interrupted, fercely.
'1t don't matter. I'll catch him yet.
He's cold blooded villain-wanted for
murder"
"Murder2"
The girl shivered. Her face paled
into whiteness Alb had never seen
blanch its deep, healthy hues
Murdered an old man for his money.
They're sure to lynch him if they get
hands on him. Murder and robbery.
I'm certain to nab him sooner or later, ="
answered the detective, with the profess
sional gusto of a man who had bagged
human game.
Miriam listened YEARLY while they told
the terrible tale to Alb. She watched her
father narrowly. The quasi moonshiner
might condone offences against the rev.
enue, but murder she knew that he
had a superstitious horror of man with
blood on his hands.
"He h'ain't ftten tor git off, Mirry,"
he whispered, while the search went on
in the angry thoroughness of threatened
discontinue "He'll fotch us turrible
luck, eff he's done hit; en-, Mirry, he
shan't have you, noways. Well git inter
trouble long O. him eff we don't tell.
"Father, I've helped en- stood by you,
hewitt II" asked the girl, passionate
pleading in every lineament and accent.
"True 'nuff, Mirry; you've helped me
pow'ful; but 'twur never MURDER" he
rejoined, uneasily. gifts no good
a-holpin' murder"
''No, no! wouldn't do it either, but
he says he is innocent, father"
"Innercent9 Mayhap he is, an likely
he hain't; likely he's jes' a-fooliu' wild
you, kase he's sartin You'll hel p him out'n
his trouble" shrewdly interposed Alb.
"Father, he says he didn't murder
he says so," she repeated; "then don't
you tu'n against u.s."
''Us2 He shan't hev YOU"
The girl clung to him in desperate,
terror-stricken violence.
"No, l won't never go with him till
you give the say so, father" she
promised recklessly. "But he didn't do
it--he is innocent, en- Tll hold to him
till it comes all right "
Alb turned away-his wrinkled
, countenance had grown hard and stern
, in aspect. He wished he had heard il