The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-01-17

But the prisoner was powerlesA Tho
revolver was out of his reach, and he
couldn't have used it anyway. He could
only cling to the bunk and to the door
as they wrenched him out; his dry lips
uttered no sound. and his eyes had the
wide-open look a hunted animal wears
catch at everything in reach
'-Out with im!"
''Here he comes Get out o the way"
Everybody was as mad now to get
out as they had previously been to get
in They swept Dan and Annie into
a corner by the door and held them
there; but as they went by he called:
You amt done with me yet, John
Haynes, Nick Gootz, Sam Morris"
They were too intent on getting OUT
side to do mere than glance at him A
wild roar arose outside For the first
time Annie weakened and Dan saw it
go inside. Annie"
He took her revolver from her hand
and pushed her into the living room,
then turned and rushed to the door
way.
| The sight made his hair Jingle and
| stir. Few men in their lifetime ever
see such a scene. Thousands of hu-
man beings packed closely together,
| their faces concentered, each MAI
strained to tiptoe and motionless.
! So1nething-somev vast mesmeric infu-
| ence-seemed to enanate from the mass.
In the center of the lawn two MINI
| bic figures We're mounting into slen-
der elm tree. AS they went up, deep
expectant hush fell on the crowd, as if
| they stood waiting the bursting of a
| burning she'll Each ear was strained
forward to taste the sweet horror of
hearing the condemned mans agoniz-
ing prayers for life. But they were
disappointed Either he was dazed
with fear. or he had reached that reck-
less mood where shudders and cries
cease He remained silent, and the
raucous voice that had dominated and
directed the crowd the whole evening,
rose:
String i'm up! Up with the black
hearted"
A twisting. writhing form rose into
the air. A cold creeping shudder
touched all but the few incarnate de
mons who were pulling at the rope with
jovial shouts
''Ooop-a-daisy!'
''Heave hor'
up she rises
"Non, all together!'
The sheriff wept in his helpless hor
TOR and rage; but suddenly without
noise the writing shadow fell into the
sea of men again Then a new cry
arose:
Bring another rope. Another rope.
There vas little delay. Now again
the crowd relented, and would have
given up. But rope came whizzine
over their heads. and was thrown from
hand to hand till it reached the hang
man. As they knotted the moose anc
flung it over the head of the revivine
prisoner, he raised his voice in agonizeG
cries and prayers for mercy.
Up with i'm. Shut his guzzle," com
manded the leader.
Stop" shouted. Dan. FIT God AL
mighty's sake don't hang the mar
tuicei'
Here she goes-no,e, yo-hee."
Dan raised his revolver and fred a
the men in the trees
NSt uOuH. N1UfS.j biOPOus " sooe
(Bang-bang.) You hellions!"
They dropped from the tree like rip
fruit Snarling bowls arose as thu
faces turned upon the sheriff. But b,
was obli>ious to all danger now. Hi
soul was at white heat He faced then
in sort of delirium Of joy.
His arm was struck down by ,
friend Drop it, Dan-theyu string
you up, too-drop it. say"
A half dozen friendly arms seizet
him and dragged him away around thu
house, raving, lashing out like mad
man.
When he came back it was aftel
twelve o'clock. the town was quiet, de
serted. There was no sign Of tina
monstrous outbreak of savagery, save
the trampled grass, the broker
branches, and the swinging shape il
the tallest elm. moving fitfully in tn.
soft wind, the quiet moon shining
upon the contorted face, crushed clos.
against the limb.
He went in to Annie, his wife, Will
grim face. II go before the county
with this as an ISSUE" he said wei
see whether this represents the peopl,
of Pine county"
THE END.
A FORTUNATE SHOT,