Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-01-05

noise, and one the like Of which never
tecolected in all our long companionshi,
since his puppyhood.
"Ah," 1 muttered disgustedly, "you
drunken brute Isuppose I'll have to come
and help you OFF,
And going up on the near side of the
brown horse with white star and snip,
standing very quietly there, i placed my
hand on the riders 1t was like ice
Looking up quickly saw black whisk
cred face, ashen gray in the moonlight
with wide open eyes, fixed and CLASSY, star
ing vacantly into my own All at once
realizing the terror of the thing, jumped
Eurriedly back and shouted, know not
what.
At the sound of my voice the dog lifted
mp his head and walled long and loudly
Then another voice in the tent cursed him
heartily, and in a minute the stranger
came out and walked to the fire and yawn
ed and stretched himself, not noticing me
standing in the shadow of a saping
Eying the motionless horseman curl
ously, he presently lounged up and peered
doubtfuly under the broad hat and
started back; then true to his instinct.
glanced at the brands plainly visible on
the horses near shoulder; then, advanc
that so cold one and excaiming, "Hell
It's hint" rushed away to the tent. There
was an excited muttering, and in min
ute the pair scuttled out and began to
hurriedly tumble for their brides, casting
shy glances at the figure which, as the
horse began to strain its head down in the
attempt to free the reins from that steel
like grasp, kept nidnOdding in friendly
fashion most horrible to look at
Meanwhile, taking heart of grace from
their presence, ran and caught the horse.
beginning to stray toward the bells, re
turning now. Leading it back, | noticed
that the mans legs were fastened tightly
by saddle and breastplate straps running
from the Dis in front to those on the can
tie.
With some trouble undid them AS
worked the chin strap slipped, the jaw
fell, and the white teeth cleaned suddenly
into such an awful grin that let go and
stepped hastily back again.
The hat now fell off and revealed the
features of quite young man, with coal
black hair and mustache and beard fleck
ed with dabs of dry foam. Even at it,
best | should have called it bad cruel
face. Now it was simply hideous. The
traveller was sinking off into the scrub.
she turned and came swiftly to where
stood staring at that CHASTITY visage
"Herc," said she brusquely, "I'll help
you. 'Tain't fair to leave you the whole
contract. He was real bad 'un, " she
went on, trying vainly to loosen the stiff
ened fingers grip on the reins, "but he
couldn't scare me when he was alive, an
amt a-goin to let him do it now. See
this was the last bit he done" and she
paused to brush aside her long hair and
show great red scar, even now only half
healed, running across temple and fore
head. "Cut 'emi' she exclaimed impa
tiently and beginning to tremble nervous
ly, as one whose strength has been over
taxed "He's had stroke o. the sun, or
a fit with rage, an, feein it comm. tied
himself in the saddle There" with n
long sigh of relief as | severed the leather
"Now let him slide down gently. Easy,
Bonnie, old girl"
'IIe was my husband" she explained
simply, looking at the corpse as, with legs
still saddle bent, it lay on the sand "IIe
was jealous of his own shadder. First
time he walled me | said nothin. Second
time / said nothin. Third time cleared
with t'other chap yonder. We was only
married three weeks. If he'd "a caught
u.s. and she smiled out of white face
set hard with horror and detestation and
pointed significantly to revolver in the
dead mans belt.
Walking away, she presently returned
with blanket from their swag and care
fully spread it over the corpse.
Then, as the man came up with the
horses and began to saddle them she said :
"Me an Jim's goin over to St. George.
Well likely get switched there. He ulster
own Warra cattle station on the Moonee
Jim was stockman. Well send the traps
out soon as we gets in. So long, an many
thanks!'
$50 long, mate!" called the man, with
a tremOr in his voice that was lacking in
the woman's. And they rode away two
dark shapes on the moonlit opening, until
the scrub swallowed them.
/ "Died by the visitation of God, said
the coroner's jury.
"Served him right, said the district
generally. A. Barry in Pail Mall Bud
get.
How Tom McCarty Could shoot.