Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1888-09-21

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continuance even as he grasped his gun
aud held it ready to fire. .Sumiiut
strange is around. Leader ncvor mis-
takes" she whispered, creeping closer to
him. 'Do YOU think they are hunting
for your"
eyes, / know it. They are ON my
track ut last. They are hunting for me
If they are hunting for nybody, but I'll
"Taken2 No. It's not many get
taken in tho mountngs,n was the scorn.
fil reply. "Leadcr'l give tongue TIME
tree back of the clearing-thc rope is
always there TO let you down in it, she
directed, in quick, low tones
Miriam" he whispered, "don't be-
iievc their black story of NEEDN'T be-
iieve it. was tliero-I saw it-but
didn't do it. never intended the worst
can't prove my innocence, but SOL
cmnly tell you am innoccntof tho worst
the very worst you will hear"
Miriam laid her hand gently on his arm
her face grew tender-hcr voice soft
and tremulous.
81 care for you, John, whether it wcrc
true or not. Go-now; Loader snifTs
lowor-qu.ct there, Leadcr-summut's
clUscrn
The girls startled, suppressed voice
became suddenly shrill In its terror.
licathcc sprang forward with an agile,
chamois- like bound and vanished in the
pines. The dogs inside the cabin as well
us out set up Il simultaneous howl. There
was TIC. doubt of an alien prcscn,n near
Mt hand. Miriam rushed into the house
Ind fastened the door behind her.
1--WE know he's in thcrc!" shouted a
rough voice
lies there! Give him up! Wc'rc
goin' to have him. clorused roughcr
voices.
ats better Ter let 'em come, NIirry.
Hes done swung hisse'f in 'gainst
now"
Alb unbarred the door. and opening
it step. cd OH the threshold in cool con-
temptation of the scene. Instantly n
revolver was on each side of his nray
head
What be you arfter, Shurf:" lie
asked. thrusting him aside. The men
outsid; rushed ridely past him.
"YOu might us well give him up.
Ab," answered the Sheriff. "Thcy'vc
tracked him out here, en- it's 'gainst the
law ter shcltur criminal. don't
wantcr rest n ncighbor. Tho fellow
goes Ivy the name of lIcathc.n
"We'vc got to search tn, premises.
Sheriff." bristled n ferret faced man.
more than usually energetic in his Of.
forts.
The Sheriff smiled significantly.
"Ei you kin sarch these 'crc premises,
why ics' go ahead, Mr. raxton-coursc,
sir" he dryly responded.
"l'vc followed this Ilca,hc for q year
and | won't be beat now. There's a re.
ward out for him-dcad or alive-so you
my rs well tell me where he is"
he mnn Paxton turned sharply upon
Miriam rs he spoke.
'ileathc is not his name neither, Miss,
and III make 1t worth your while TO
tell of him."
Miriam heard him in silence, set
reso.ntc expression upon her face.
You shall have part of the reward"
al don't touch blood money y, she
interrupted, iicrccly.
at don't matter. I'll catch him vet
Hes cold-blooded villain-wanted for
murder"
"NIurder"
The girl shivercd. Her face palcd
into a whitcncss Alb had neyor seen
blanch its deep, healthy hucs.
Murdered an old man for his money.
They're sure TO lynch him if they get
hands on him. Murder and robbery.
Pm certain to nab him sooacr or latcr,n
answered the detective, with the profes.
sional gusto of man who had bauged
human game.
Miriam listened weatlly while they told
the terrible tale to Alb. She watched her
father narrowly. The quasi moonshincr
might condonc offences against the rev.
enue, but murdcr,--shc knew that he
had supcrstitious horror of 4 man with
blood on his hands.
"ile h'ain't fifteen tor git Off, Mrry,"
he whispered, while the search went on
in the angry thoroughncsi of threatened
discontinue. "iIe'll fotch us turrible
luck. Of he's done hit; en-, Alirry, he
shan't have you, noways. Well git inter
trouble long % him eff we don't tell.
Father, Eve helped en- stood by you,
hewitt II" asked the girl, passionate
pleading in every lneamcnt and accent.
"rruo huff, AIirry; you've helped me
plwful; but 'twur never MURDER" he
reioincd, uneasily. gifts no good
a.holpin' MURDER
"No, no! l wouldn't do it either, but
he says he is innocent, father"
"lnnercent2 NIayhap he is, an likely
he hain't; likely he's ies' a-fooliu' wild
you, kasc he's sartinvou'll help him out'n
his trouble" shrewdly intcrposed Alb
Father, he says he didn't murder
he says So" she repeated; "then don't
yon turn against u.s."
"Usl lie shan't hev YOU"
The girl chung TO him in desperate,
tcrror-strickcn violence.
$40, won't never go with him till
you give the say so, father" she
promised rccklessly. "l}ut lie didn't do
1.-THE is innocent, en- rll hold to him
till it comes all right"
Alb turned away-his wrinkled
countenance had grown hard and stern
in aspect. lie wished he had heard it
al! before they told Miriam, or before they
had come into the house, and the girl
Ind reminded him of the time when her
vigilance and devotion had stood him in
good stead while "Guv'menters" hunted
for the free distillery.
Angry and disappointed of the gains
for which they served justice, the de-