Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-06-06

though nominated In the statutes of
this great Government as u heinous
offense, was regarded by them with
extremely lenient eyes. while the Civ
ing of Information leading to the
capture of such offenders was con-
sidered the chief atrocity in the cata-
logue of mans crimes against his fell
| bowman.
The girl would have rushed forward,
but Hamlin held her back, almost saw
agely.
Guilty. er not guilty?" old Jerry
Pottle was asking of the group of
stern-faced men about him.
'.Guilty!''
''Sharpley," began old Jerry, grave
ly. you've ben foun' guilty. am
They'll kill him. the girl gasped.
| ''Save-save-"
The hand of the man beside her
closed fiercely on her arm.
LET themr' he whispered, Kissing
ly. He came between-''
But, he was goin' to take me way
| from here an make a lady Nv me!''
the girl whispered. pleadingly.
$50 will-But, forgot-Ugly-
ugly:'
You've ben foun' guilty. old Jer-
ry was saying guilty Nv givin' the
Information that sent the Riggs boys
to prison-tore 'em away frun their
wives an families, left the women to
fill the hungry mouths NV their chill
dren as best they kin. an sent 'em to a
Twin death fer half Nv their lives.''
The stern-faced men seemed to
grasp their rifles more firmly.
II reckon you know what punish
ment sech traitors as you git who sell
mems lives fer a little money. Robbed
EN- Nv half NV their lives on this yere
yearth beca'se they made a little con
into juice, stead Nv meal!'
Yes; know!" answered Sharpley
you'll murder me!''
ut h'ain't murder to rid the yearth
Nv sneakin' houn' Nv a spy. It's
but, I'm not guilty!' Sharpley In
terrupted, desperately. Indeed, ]
did not give the information"
Don't lie. Sharply! The news that
little Sol Bender got in town was
straight You gave the boys up,
am"
Mono! Not T." cried Sharpley.
In his desperation. ut WAS -"
''Who?" demanded old Jerry.
Jacks Hamlin!" cried the wretched
prisoner. as a last resort
You are liar!" roared old Jerry.
Jacks Hamlin--''
lis the guilty mani" uttered a steady
voice.
A little squad of men who had crept
noiselessly within hearing of the small
group about the fire saw Hamlin stride
resolutely into the light He strobe
TO where Sharpley was bound. A re-
volver was in his hand, and with it he
waved back old Jerry and his little
squad. Quickly drawing a knife. he
severed Sharpley's bonds.
There" he said. sternly, to the
girl who had followed into the light,
Il have saved him! Go-go with the
man you love, and-and may God
bless your
Som chow, it almost seemed that, in
the light of the great sacrifice he had
made. Jack Hamlin's unhandsome face
looked less ugly. The girl never once
looked at Sharpiey, but kept her eyes
fixed on Hamlin's face pale. stern and
ugly. and it somehow seemed to hel
just then the noblest face in the world.
Come. HAMMER SharpIey said
eagerly, bestowing scarce thought
upon the man who had saved his life
at the cost of the greatest sacrifice thai
man can make. Come, I'll take
you out into the great world you want
ed to see. and"
Cor Hamlin said $50 with the
man you love, while you can! l.
But don't love himr' cried the
girl. Il love your
HAMMER
Then she was sobbing on his breast
and the ugly face was bent to her wild
hair, and Hamlin forgot Sharpley, for
got the desperate men he had dared
and they, slow-witted always, had
stood open-mouthed and mOtionles
during the exciting moments that fol
lowed his appearance.
Then, Sharpley turned to fee. Thu
next instant he was confronted by /;
little squad of men who appeard a.
suddenly as ii they had risen from toe
earth.
..Stopr' the leader cried, as ole
Jerry's party closed their gaping
mouths and raised their brown rifles
WHO air you?" demanded Pottie.
.'Tll tell you!' cried Sharpley. in
terruptingly. They are United State
Marshal Keenan, and his posse: And,
now that I have such backing=
.'Our only business is with Sharp
, ley" the marshal said, sternly. wv,
: have listened long enough to gathe
, the gist Of the story. In his capacit.
! of spy. Sharpley did good work in de
liverins the Riggs boys to justice
: The ~ IN who just saved his life hat
not Ii,. most remote connection witt
the matter"
1t seemed that Sharpley had re
manned in the neighbOrhood on tn;
plea that he was on the scent of an
other illicit distillery. Fearing tina
he would be recalled before he coul(
accomplish his purpose. he sent in re
ports that led the marshal to believ,