Connecticut western news., 1896-05-14

"but can t get away. My mother died here; she used to say her heart was broken. I wish I could leave it. :"
 He looked down into her beautiful eyes, half smiling. "Would you go with me, sweetheartf" he asked idly.
 She looked up, startled and hesitating. but before she had time to answer the banjo music stopped with discordant crash and a rude hand thrust them apart. Jack, turning sharply, found himself confronted by one of the musi- clans, whom he recognized as the su- perintendent of the Eaglebird mine.
 "D-n you," the young fellow said savagely, "what do you want with her? She is the one pure thing in this cursed hole, and you shall not touch her"
 Devore did not answer him. but turned to Inez. "You have not answered me" he said. "Will you go?"
 She looked into his eyes, half hesitat- ing. He had taken a powerful hold on her, that he could see, and felt sure of victory, but she was flung to one side and his assailant's knife gleamed in the air. For moment the two glared at each other. while the other men crowd ed around. silent and loath to interfere, but bound to see fair play.
 Inez sprang between them. Don't, Max, don't" she cried.
 The young man turned to her fiercely. "Choose p' he commanded. "You know love you and would give my life for you, but I'd rather see you dead than have him touch you, and, by God, he sban'tp'
 She looked from one to the other, afraid and doubting. The violence of one terrified her, and the other was diff ferent from any man she had ever known. The chances of new life opened before her and dazzled her, yet Max had al- ways been kind and gentle. Both were waiting for her answer impatiently, and Devore's hand was on his revolver. He was not accustomed to defeat. She could not choose, and, womanlike, burst into tears. At this juncture Big Jim, proprietor of the Jack Pot saloon, saw fit to in- terfere. "Quit your bawlin now, Inez, " he ordered You've raised devil enough. You'd better square yourselves. boys, at 90 paces; little cold lead'll soon settle the difficulty" And he laughed pleasantly as he marked off the distance with long strides. and the men took their places. A duel was the surest way, after all.
 Jack Devore took his aim with his customary coolness. In reality he cared little for the girl-but he was not used to being thwarted. He could easily kill the young fellow who stood opposite him, but the girl, where would it lead herr His face took on a more serious look than any one had ever seen there. When he had tired of her, as he surely must, what then? She was so different, could she ever sink to be one of those | painted creaturesr A curious impulse stirred him, and when Big Jim gave the word to fire be raised his arm and fired | in the air, receiving at the same time 8 severe shock in his right arm. ''I pass. was all he said.
 When Jack Devore recovered his senses, he was lying on rude couch and a woman sat beside him. As he opened his eyes, she leaned forward. and in the dim light he recognized her as one of the hangers on of the place.
 "Jack," she said softly, "you know me, and know you, and reckon there ain t much love lost. but I'm glad you | didn't shoot. You remember Lola?" | Jack did, and he stirred uneasily. Il had been hard to leave her, when he was forced to leave Sacramento, she was SC | pretty, and did not speak much Eng. | zl~ lel,o lal fo1I oil ( k.< way from Mexico. Poor Lolal "Yes." he answered shortly.
 Because" the woman went on, "l knew her. She died here. She loved you, Jack Devore, and Inez is her daugh ter, hers and-yours.
 There was silence for a long time. Then, as it began to grow oppressive Jack said, in strangely softened voice
 "Does she-does Inez know it?'
 "No," the other answered.
 Don't tell her, then," he said. "And say. Rose''-he reached into hi. pocket and painfully produced $500 ir bills-"give her this, and tell her tt marry that feller, and get out. You'll do it2''
 "Yes," answered the woman. "Any thing else, Jack?"
 "Yes," was the quiet reply. ''I'n going. Get me my pony, Rose, like [ good girl"
 Half an hour later the sound of gal loping hoofs was heard growing fainte and fainter out on the moonlit mesa cico Argonaut.