San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-06-06

NUMBER %.

q little, and the subsequent chat Yves
tinctured with flavor Of sadness. We
talked In tone which became triAe
sentimental in its nature, and the min
utes few away without attracting attenr
ton. happened finally to glance at my
watch and saw that 1t was five minutes
TO 8. tN
II must go ut once" said.
$50 soon?" sho said In voice of re-
monstance.
"Yes, ! am sorry to say, but I have an
imperative engagement"
Sand ! shall not see you again before
you goy'
"rm afraid not The stage leaves at
O'Clock In the morning, hours before
you will have left drcamland."
Her long lashes fell over her eyes.
"You will give mo good-by kiss,
won't you'"
She drew herself back us II frightened
or offended.
"No, no; not 30 for as that"
"You are unkind and unreasonable.
only ask one. We may never see each
other again."
She still kept herself away from me. I
persisted In my importantly. At last
she bent toward me.
"Once, then" "she murmured in faint
voice. touched her lips with mine, and
ut the precise moment Of contact the
heavy, sullen report Of n gunshot rang
through the air. II was from tho direc-
ton OF the Bryne house, and felt
deadly thrill in my heart as II had been
pierced by q bullet. sprang down the
steps and ran in the direction Of the re-
port.
1t was just at dusk, permitting objects
to be dimly seen. At the distance Of
block saw two or three figures scatter
Ing from the front Of tho Bryne house.
One Of them came toward me with
wabbling, staggering gait. like man
far In the stages of intoxication, and
who at every step gave utterance to
cry like the inarticulate howl Of u Wild
beast. Just rs he reached me he tum-
bled atmy feet In lump, the froth cover
ing his upturned mouth. He was an ep.
ileptic named Handford, and sow that
he had o flt. was about to raise him
up, when he suddenly, after writhing
convulsively In tho dust, staggered ohis
feet and ran on, bowling like tortured
demon.
There was commotion In the narrow
alley that led across tho Bryne place to
the barn. A voice shrieked, "You've
killed himl You've killed him"
rushed into the alley, and saw just
beyond the entrance form lying on the
ground, over which was bent another,
trying to raise it up by the shoulders,
while little father on was man who
menaced the two with q revolver.
go way from here" said the man In
a hoarse, harsh voice.
II shall not" said the one bending
over the fallen figure. 1T Is my brother"
Tho man with the revolver backed
away, pointing it at them as he left.
recognized oil three Of tho party.
The prostrate form was that Of the eldest
Of the Bryne brothers, tho second who
bent over him was another brother, and
the third man, with the weapon, was o
cabinetmaker named Chaser.
Attracted by tho shot, some neighbors
had gathered, and by them was borne
into the house the wounded boy. He
had been shot through the lung by ball
from navy revolver. Medical aid and
q priest-for the Brynes were Roman
Catholics - were summoned. Neither
availed to cure him; within few hours
he was dead.
The horror with which contemplated
the awful result cannot be told. Had
Anna not coquettishly refused me tho
kiss: had she conceded It when first
asked, should have been on time ut tho
gate, and would have received the bullet
shot through tho body Of poor Bryne.
Her little hesitation saved ono life and
lost another.
CHASER lived In house half block
away, and thither tho town constable
with q posse proceeded soon after the
He was found In bed and
fast nsleep.
Chaser was O Frenchman by birth,
who had wandered about tho world
good deal, who had been to California,
and who had at last reached the town In
which the homicide was committed.
At his trial it was shown for the de
'ense that no was unused to the ways Of
he country; that he had secured the re-
golver in his California experience; that
ie was dependent upon the lawyer, and,
rearing that the boys Of the village were
making preparations TO hang him, he had
TO defend him, and knowing
he programme had placed himself In the
Illey. lie was shown to be pacific and
harmless In his average life. and church
member In good standing. He was given
short term Of Imprisonment, and on his
discharge moved TO Iowa, 10 which state
he lawyer had preceded him.
Chaser and the lawyer are stili In the
Iawkeye state; Anna died In Quincy
wo or three years ago, leaving n family
4 sons and daughters A sister Of
jlasser's wife, Margaret Thompson, Is n
esident Of Chicago. Tho Brynes moved
way within a year or 90 after the kill
ne.
Tho seminary school was broken up
nd the building has never since been
ccupied-Poliuto In Chicago Herald