Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-04-05

almost dev lish glitter lighting up his
coal black eyes, but presently a sudden
change took possession of him.
"My Godl" gaspcd he, his eyes riveted
In horror upon the white, upturncd face
and CORY locks of his victim. II have
killed himi have murdered my pard
Oh. how could do it-how could for
get m'self an do such an orful Decd"
A new thought seemed to force its
way into his perturbed mind at. this
Juncture-a consciousness of his peril
ana he cast u furtive glance around him.
81 must not be caught here, muttcred
he, 'or my life won't be with burnt
match must get away-bnt where ="
He thought moment, and then re-
sumed his distracted soliloquy:
NO; 'twon't do to leave. for that
would only convince 'cm o. my guilt,
an posed be after me in no time.
I'm in desp'rit bad fix, that's sure, an
III have to cover up all the traces o.
the crime. an say Josh has skipped.
After another searching glance about,
to make sure that his movements were
not being watched, he stopped down,
lifted the limp form into his arms, and
then slung away with his burden toward
an unused part of the mine.
He paused, moment later, ut the
brink of an old, abandoned shaft, and,
after once more looking and listening,
dropped the body into the murky pit.
a splash, rs the burden struck the
stagrant water ut the bottom of the
shalt, was heard immediately after, and
then, with ablanched face and Il haunted
look III his eyes, Tom stole buck TO
where the deed had been committed.
'lll go back to the place after Dark, Z"
muttcred he to himself, land fill the old
Shalt up with talns and rock. No ono
VIII then ever run across his body, an
pounce on me for his murderer"
All traces of the bloody deed were
carefully oblitcratcd i'll the mine, and
then Tom went home.
a fire was kindlcd and supper pre-.
pared; but he could not cat. There was
a gnawing sense of horror lowering about
him, which awed and desoated his very
soul. ] eacc was out of the question,
and i'll his great anguish of spirit he
sought solace in frequent and copious
potations of fiery liquor.
This brought partial relief, and nerved
him co put into execution n number of
supplemental plans which he regarded as
necessary to his safety
All of his purtncr's personal effects
were carefully gathered up. tied into u
bundle and carried 10 the old shaft. i'm
which they were thrown, and buried
beneath mass of Irushwood, stones and
earth.
Tom had brought flask of licuor
with him, so as TO keep us his wnninr
courage during his labors, and by the
time the task was completed, he was III
That reckless mood which is bcgotten of
continued indulgence i'll strong drink.
'Pll so over an see Mol" ouoth he.
ms he made his way back to the cabin.
III tell her Josh has gone, an when
she iinds there's no hope of gettin' him.
an' that Pm the sole owner oil the clnim.
she'll say yes quick enough, | reckon"
with these, and n host of other less
pleasant thoughts rushing through his
chaotic mind, he turned his steps to
ward the settlement, and shortly after.
ward was ut Bill Buslncll's cabin.
Mol was at home and readily accorded
the wooer an interview.
''Mol, my LASS" said he, after few
preliminary words had been exchanged
between them, '.thcre's somethin,
preyin' on my mind, an 1 want to tell
you I'LL about it. reckon you've rot an
idea what Pm drivin' at, but Pm going
tn come right out plain, an not be mis-.
understood. Josh au' me hcv both bin
lurty sweet on you for long time, Mol.
an I'd spoken erbout it uforc this if it
hadn't BIN for kind o. treadin' on his
toes; but Low that Josh has pulled up
stakes an struck out for other dig
gin's"--
"What is that you say9 Josh Field
has hi gone away" cried the girl. "Surely,
Tom. you do not mean tin
"Course he's gone; l thought YOU
knowed 1t. lie come to me this mornin'
an, says he: Tom, Pm sick o. these
parts an am goin' to light ont for other
diggin's Buy out my share of the mine
an well call 1T quits He wouldn't say
no more, an, as he put a low figger on
his half, bought him out an lie went
away. 80 you see, lassie, bcin' sole
owner O the mine now, can offer youa
purity scrumptious sort O. a home win
You hitch with me, NIol?"
"l'ut Josh might come back"--
''Dcucc take JOSH" cried Tom. impa-
patiently. Gle was no great shuaks
anyhow, an don't see what YOU want
o. himl | love you n hundred times
morc'n he did, an I'd make YOU blame
sight happier than that onery chap.p
"Bnt | always thought n great deal of
h M, Tom"
"les, l reckon so; plagued sight
more'n he did o. you, or he wouldn't Rcv
skinned out so student without even
sayin' goodbye to you. 'rwixt me am
you, Mol, 1 reckon .Iosh,s conscience
wasn't altogether easy, for n chap as has
been criminal back in the States is ant
to be jest little skerrish-"
Just at that juncture there was step
heard in the inner room of the cabin. and
moment later n familiar voice rang out
through the open door:
"lIold on, Tom Willis can stand
about as mich as emmy bein', but that's
lie Pll take from no MANI
Tom started violently. and turned a
terrified face toward the door.
Before him, with his head swathed in
bandages. and supporting his trembling
form against the door facing, stood no
other than Josh Fields.
"lou sec, | amt quite as dead MS We
took me to be, Tom Willis" continued
he, castinga contemptuous look upon the
covering wretch. cit happened that.