The record-union., 1891-12-19

and she was well and hearty; leastways,
never asked, but | presume likely she
was
"Mebee Mrs. somers knows more
aboutit than you. Call her here, please, :"
said the J. P
Roy came at once. Her face was pale
and her eyes heavy, as if from want of
sleep, and she walked as one in a dream
The loud talking and glance at the crowd
aroused her some. Mrs. Somers, did you
or did you not see Miss Betty Martin
last evening. She is dead now, and has
been murdered. Do you know anything
of it?o The coarse, loud voice, the sud
den i'll news, startled Roy. She looked
around helplessly minute, then fell far
ward in a faint.
"She is the guilty one; Lord help u.s.
said the Sheriff. And IN few moments
Roy was picked up and carried down to
the town, Mrs. Scott following weeping,
and all the children and women follow
ing her example. Paw Scott hobbled
along, fastening his suspenders as he
went.
Roy came to as they reached the school
house, but did not seem to realize her po-
sition. She kept murmuring, "Oh, l
must leave tonight | must. Killed
her, killed her, lett her, left her." These
incoherent utterances seemed a proof OF
her guilt, and her appearance strength
ened the theory.
The crowd followed into the school
room, and the preliminary trial was COM
menced by the Justice of the Peace. who
recited the history of the blood marks
''and how Carson could see nothing bat
emptiness in Miss Martins cabin.''
Then he called Carson on the stand.
He commenced with questioning that
colored person thus:
MIR. Jabe Carson, how many children
hev you?"
Ten" modestly replied Carson.
''All the same color as you?n
"Well, sab, no. Dey ranges all de way
from dusk till midnight, i'll shades,
sah.'
did you see the murder or the muir
dered?"
mo, sab; but Thomas Jefferson, my
third son from the last. sab, saw dc
bloody tracks and traced em to Mr.
Scotts; and, sab, an apun--a woman's
apun-wrapped round de boolge in de
do post, sah."
THAT will do, Mr.. Carson. Call
Thomas Jefferson"
The boy came, trembling like leaf,
| and his eyes big with horror. He gave
one despairing look at Roy, but she did
not heed him.
well, my man, now tell the truth
| What do you know?"
The boy looked up and said, in a loud
voice, Muffin, sir"
Nothing? You did, sir. You saw
blood tracks to Scott's cabin. You said
| so.'
mo, sab, not bloody spot as big as g
blue jay birds ear. / know muffin.
seed muffin and Use nuftin' to tell"
| The story fell glibly from his lips, but
great drops of perspiration stood ON his
black forehead. Coaxing, threats. curses
even did not move the boy to speak an
! other word.
Roy meanwhile was slowly recovering
| her wonted manner. She came as one oui
OF deep sleep. just realizing something
was happening but ignorant of its cause
The women of the town gathered around
with kindly questioning sympathy, bu
the Sheriff said, hrusquely: mo ques
tioning the prisoner till the Distreek At.
| torney comes. We have sent for him
! de will be here before tomorrow. Tht
| prisoner will be put under care at the
hotel till he arrives
During all this time the Captain anG
| Lee had not been idle in their search
Mr.. Bell, the first officer. being in love
| was Just as anxious and more SO. Know.
ing she intended teaching he wrote tc
every school trustee in the State, anC
/ finally happened to reach, by letter, the
| mountain town where Roy was teach
| ing.
Highly elated at his success he obtained
a months leave of absence, and, with &
party of young men, Joined hunting
| party, and, on the very day the Distric
Attorney came up on the stage, Bell anc
his friends were passengers. Bell auC
| the lawyer got in conversation, and ht
! told Bell that trial was to, be held il
that town." and added, 'if you want tc
] see how law works SO near heaven you'C
| better stop over.''
Who are the parties?'' inquired Bell
"A Miss Somers, teacher is held fol
murder of an old woman"
Bell nearly lost his balance off the sea
at this announcement.
'Do you know her?'' asked the lawyer
noticing Bells agitation.
"4es,' he replied; "and there must bt
some mistake-some Terrible mistake"
Il hope so, / am sure,H said the lawyer
| And neither spoke again till the town was
| in sight.
| Mr.. Bell was too taken up with distract
; ing thoughts to talk, and the lawyer wa:
rejecting on the case.
| The stage ratified into town and drew
up at the Palace, most pretentiouS
name for an extremely unpretentious
/ looking house.
/ <'tHi, Hank, yer airly," greeted the
driver, as he swung off his seat and threw
the reins to the hostler.
Il go by steam nowadays" he replied
| High PRESSURE
"How der you manage steam?'' in
quired another.
1.-THE high esteem in which Pm hello
by the boss" said Hank, as he pulled of
| his gum coat. and the crowd yelled
Hanks cheek would split cyclone ir
two If 1T hit him." said an envious man
as he heard laugh at the popular dri
ver's pun.
| The Justice of the Peace was on hanC
to greet the lawyer and point with his
| finger to the window of the room upstairs
nodded and said: after dinner: fol
even death sometimes waits till man
| dineS.0
Bell and his friends went in TO regis.
ter, Bell inquiring if he could see Miss
| Somers.
Not just now," said the clerk, nerv-
ously. ''She is sick, [ believe"
/ Give her my card, then," said Bell, as
he produced one. and the clerk took il
upstairs, between his finger and thumb
as if he was afraid it might get away.
Thomas Jefferson had left town. Nc
one thought of OBTAINING him, but it was
not very long after the stage came in an
other vehicle drove up, Thomas Jefferson
! driving, and on the high board seat sa
and cheered, few mystified, puzzled
| looking people were silent, and no les.
than twelve went to help Betty alight
| Soon as she was on the ground she said:
Gentlemen, here l be back to tell yor
I amt dead, nor murdered. and I'n thank
you kindly to let out Miss Somers tha
committed the murder 1t makes M,
sick on my stummick to see sich fools
and that Injustice of the Peace is a whole
team with dog she said scornfully.
well, there-there was murder all tht
same," said the Justice of the Peace. de
Tending himself, or trying to. 81 saw tn,
blood myself
''Carn't yer tell goose blood from mine
or is it so much like yourn. The critic