The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-05-22

return. Ifone week from this time he IS
here with the money IN his possession,
both shall 60 forth free If he fail. then
bis companion dies at daybreak, shot
through the heart You may draw lots
which may 20 and which stay
In silence the young men took from
his hand the slips of paper held out to
them Hal slill was to remain the pris
oneF.
lis all right, old fellow he said,
grasping Ned Esmond's band. It's only
a weeks solitude. I've had it many
time on lonely hunting expedition, and
my worst anxiety wilI be aissipated when
know that Efse's fears are set at rest.
ThererH be no trouble about the money.
You can easily raise that; and dare say
I'ilfnd these fellows jolly enough CON-
panions in the meantime. Tell my dar-
ling how long 10 see her. That is all
Goodbye, Goodbye, and may God bless
you
Shot through the heart
1t was this sentence which rang in Ned
Esmond's ears.
e will be, after all, bat moment.
lie viii think some accident has oyeria-
ken me. II ! save him DO not doom
myself 10 torture, which is to that one
moments faeing the fatal muskets as Tan
talus to Paradise? | will tell her he is al
ready dead, and perhaps eonsoling her
grief, l may teach her the lesson she new
er shall unlearn."
But no suspicion of hope or happiness
within his heart rested on the white, i'm
passive face with which be awaited his
friends betrothed With quivering voice,
he told his sad story how one was lost,
the other saved, and he, that other. had
hasteDed to her TO unburien himself Of
his sad duty
= / would II had been otherwise, Miss
EHie," he said at last, as the girls pslIiid
face, with eyes as yet unblessed by tears.
was lifted 70 his, strained with agony
then silent, fearless, with bowen head,
she passed out OF his sight, while some
where from the shadow voice seemed
10 say.
On your brow you bare the. brand Of
Cain Murderer
And starting as though expecting % see
the bright, boyish face which last smiled
on him, now confront and bid him an
swer for his treachery, he hastily len the
room.
SIX days and nights, butthe messenger
had not yet returned The chiefs face
looked grave as bis eve swept the distant
hills. There had been ample time, but
somehow the thought ofordenng bullet
through the heart Of his young prisoner,
who had borne his lot so cheerily, in
whom. spite Of his own lawless life, ne
had recognized some traits such as were
planted in his own breast, smote him
~itli q keen sense Of pain. But his word
had gone forth. The example must be
made At daybreak. unless the uiessen-
ger returned, the execution must take
place But when the sun hal sunk to
rest the scout sent forth returned alone.
The prisoner, then. must die. It was as
though the bullet bad already found its
way to his heart when he realized the
man whom be had trusted had deserted
him. oae hope was left him. lie asked
to De brought into the presence Of the
chief ami left alone with him.
Ny friend, the man trusted, has not
returned" be said. Either death or
treaehery has kept him. Let me, before
| die. learn which. Let me place on the
lips Of one 10 whom have pledged my
troth my kiss and blessing, and swear
to you by the love bear her to return
hiiher in three days, to lay my ransom
at your feet or bear my breast to your
bullets
For moment there was silence. With
the blue eyes raised to heaven, and as
though compelled against his Will, the
chief answered
Go In three days l viii await yon
here -