The Republican., 1895-02-28

#s sass deed. VIII c n
l7ssagsJG 7szJnG3I members of
his acquaintance, notably sheritf's of
ficeEs, sought his society with an ardor
that was difficult to withstand The
present was one of those occasions, and
although Marguerite had shown some
coyness about accepting the urgent in
vitatiOn extended to him and had,
moreover, given the state officials some
healthy exercise before allowing them
to deliver it personally, yet he had
eventually given way to force of cir
cumstances.
Fortunately for themselves, the rep
resentatives of law and order in Jacu-
baya knew within one hundred miles
or-so the localities where Marguerite
was likely to be found His natural
modesty would, they were aware, pre-
vent his crossing the American border,
where his return had long been
awaited with anxiety by certain of his
compatriotS. Therefore the chase had
been short.
Still, while it lasted, like most of the
proceedings in which Marguerite was
actively concerued, it had proved full
of interest to the persons sharing in it,
But now the object of all these atten-
tions had recognized the uselessnesS of
further resistance, and feeling that he
had done his best, was prepared to rest
upon his laurels Wherein his friend,
Don Carlos, agreed with him.
The pair, accompanied by a large
proportion of the population, made
their way toward the courthouse, a
building which but unha tteringly il
lustrated the quality of the law dis
panSed therein. AS d matter of fact,
before it became a hall of Justice, it
had been Il loft, and access to it was
still gained by means of a ladder. Mar
guerito, followed by the Judge, the jury
and the crowd. mounted with impassive
slowness, and he was shortly occupy
ing prominent position in the court
Don Carlos, who suffered from con-
stitutional objection to climbing, had
elected to remain in the yard below
Knowing from past experience that the
trial was likely to be a lengthy process,
he gravely seated himself upon the
ground and prepared to await events.
1t should be explained that Don Carlos
was not handsome. Neither was he
good. Still he possessed merits which
might have been patent to the casual
observer. In complexion he was black
and tan, being rather like dachshund
in the face, while he strongly resem-
bled "A greyhound in the figure. His
tail, however, it was impossible to
classify, for it belonged to no species
or epoch. Owing to his having been
dropped by his nurse when baby, it
had break near the tip, which caused
manner far from eXemplifying the real
solidity of his character, while it's
length would have done credit to cat
Don Carlos himself seemed to be
aware that it was not the latest fashion
in tails, and he habitually underwent
many things in vain endeavor to sit
upon the whole of it at once. He was
thus engaged upon the present occa-
sion when, glancing up, he CHANGED to
catch sight of bull mastiff which was
strolling into the yard apparently in
search of stray refreshments.
Don Carlos pricked up his cars and
bliuked his eyes, into which the light
of battle gradually crept, until the in
truder, unconscious of danger, drew
nearer every moment.
In the meanwhile the sonorous tones
of the judge, mingled with the drawl
of the witnesses, sounded clearly from
the open window of the loft above. 1t
appeared that Marguerite was accused
of horse stealing this time, and as he
listened to the details of his error as
described by the sufferers from it, he
felt by no means certain but that this
might be the last of his many adven-
tureS.
Judge Hoppers got a hanging look
about him this morning" he medi,
tated, with an Unconditional face. IF
4 get off this time | will 90 home to
Conchita, and they shall find me no
more"
The last witness for the prosecution
finished his tale of woe, and a feeble
effort was made at defense. while
Marguerite wondered idly if he really
were as great ruffian as the evidence
seemed to imply.
Silence broken only by the buzzing
of flies fell upon the close room, as the
Judge seated himself in his wooden
chair and prepared to sum up. The
culprit, who was looking through the
window at his side, appeared to be the
only uninterested person present. A
deputy standing near was about to call
his attention to the proceedings when.
following for an instant the direction
of the prisoners gaze, he, too, became
absorbed.
The sheriff himself then glanced at
the window, through which short
barks were beginning to make them
selves heard, and after one look he
rushed to the door and commenced
hurridly descending the ladder. The
audience gazed at each other in amaze
ment for an instant, and with a stimuli
tpeous movement they took hur-
ried survey of the yard. Having looked,
they wasted no more time, but, with
ain expression of rapture stealing over
their faces, they made for the ladder,
accompanied by the prisoner and his
guard.
The judge, being left alone in the