Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-08-20

| 1t was Alice who cried out. She
| thought she saw flash-it might have
been a meteor-far away to the south
But it passed so quickly that she could
| scarce say such thing had been.
"Seel There it is, captain. There 1t
isr' exclaimed Howard Blanchard, and,
unmindful of the danger, all rose to
their feet. The light on the distant
mountain side rose and fell, at times
| threatening to go out but rising to a
greater height and burning with greater
| clearness after each threatened relapse,
| until at length it sent a steady, inspir-
| ing glare across the darkness.
He has gone through safely" said
the captain.
Thank Godp' cried Alice.
And the others, according to tempera-
ment, expressed their delight at Louis
kyle's success.
Alice Blanchard forgot the surround
ing danger in the joyous relief from the
anxiety that had been weighing her
heart, and q reaction set in that made
her fearless for the time
"Haltl Who gees there" demanded
Captain Brandon in a ringing voice as
he saw dusky form moving swiftly be-
tween the corral and the neighboring
cliff The figure disappeared, and no re-
ply came back.
"Watchl" said the captain. ''Stand
every man carefully at his post. l think
hear them coming this way.
The neighing of horse and the I'M
patient stamping of hoofs 100 yards off
attracted the captains attention.
why not challenge them?" asked
Howard, who, though as brave as steel,
was naturally very nervous in this novel
situation.
1--WE knew they are there. They have
no doubt as 10 oar whereabouts. Let us
leave the initiative to them" replied
Captain Brandon.
The wisdom of this suggestion was
soon manifest From the cliff above the
spring a votce-it was Bouton 's-called
out:
Hello, down there"
"Well, what do you want?" asked
the captain.
81 want to know whose camp That
is"
81 am Known as Captain Brandon,
and you are known as the murderer and
desperate Bouton, replied the captain.
IF / come as foe, you will soon
know it. There are men enough with
me to sweep over your work as buffa-
10 herd would over bank Of reeds. But
we want no fight"
"Ah, now you are getting nearer to
the truth than is your habit You like
best to rob and plunder where the gain
is great and the danger small F"
''There Is not enough plunder in your
outfit to tempt us. "
''Then why do you conner"
1--WE come this time as the friends Of
law and justice. -
''Indeed"
1--WE do, str. You have with your
party man named DR. Blanchard "
What of that?"
He and his family are fugitives from
Justice, and we come to demand them.
We are working for the reward. Now,
give these people up and we will go
away and leave you in peace.
"The man that says I or any Of my
family are criminals or fugitives from
Justice" broke in DR.. Blanchard, who
mp to this time had been q model of
GOODNESS, "lies in his throatP'
Now, it 50 happened that Tom Bliss
was standing beside Bouton during the
parley and It was he who prompted the
desperate to put the following questions
"Are you DIR. Blanchard?"
81 am, replied the indignant doctor.
do you know of any murder in your
family?"
81 do not"
"You are sure2"
II am certain.
"You married John Weldon's grand
daughter. Mary?"
"I did,
"Who killed Frederick Weldon?'
81 do not know that he was killed. "
What has become Of Valentine We'll
don and his wife and two sons?"
81 do not know"
"Now, let me tell you, DR.. Blanch-
ard, that since you left West Virginia
your wife's body has been exhumed,
and it has been discovered that she died
from the effects of poison supposed to
have been administered by YOU
'Who brings such news?" asked the
doctor, shocked at the horrible charge
and astounded at the mans knowledge
Of his relations.
1.-TWO young lawyers" replied Bou-
ton.
''Thair naxnes?''
II do not care to give thsm, but they
are with fun authority to take you
bsck."
"You say @ey are lavgers?" inter
posed Captain Brandon.
"I do"
"Tell them 30 bring their authority
10 me- and IL It is authentic l will aid
them in their efforts ~
A fire had been started and about it
the outlaws and renegade Indians were
reclining and smoking as calmly as If
the nights work We're an ordinary oo-
ourrence. Close by, the horses and pack
mules were staked in the long bunch
grass, many Of them lying down, ia
tigued by their long drive. Henry Kyle,
with cloud on his handsome face, sat
back in the shadows talking to Font
Robb.
"I did not think 1 could do it, Font,
but he ran his horse at me apd had to
fire. I fired, though l knew the man on
that horse was my own brother. But,
30 help me Gc1 I did not want to hurt