Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-06-18
RMONT PHOENIX BRATTLEBORO, FRIDAY. JUNE 49, 1897.

"That's what might have expected.
She cantcrcd the horse up the hill to
make me think she's gone home, and
now she is coming back afoot to get
word with the boy. By the Lord Harry,
I've Il mind to MOI that would never
do. And YETI
He trampcd up and down the porch,
this sworn officer of the law who was
yet but man, fighting over again the
old battle between justice and mercy as
many "a loyal servant of justice has
fought it since the law first set itself
over against lawlessness. Then he flung
the stump of his cigar far out into the
grass and went into the porch bedroom,
where he bent over the sleeping man as
if to satisfy himself that the letters
were still in place.
Anderson stirred uneasily. "Is that
you uns, Mr. Jaffray?" he asked
Eyes " He took the irons from the
boys ankles. "Now you can stretch
your legs bit I'm going to take
chances on your running away.
Anderson laughed mirthlessly. 81
couldn' do much with these here on"
he said, holding up his hands
The inspector felt the handouts on
the boys slender wrists They're too
tight" he said And he loosened them.
"Is that bcttcr?'
"a mighty sight better, thank you. "
Jaffray threw up the window at the
head of the bed and listened. 1t was a
Ialm night, but there was sound as of
the wind rustling the dry leaves in the
| little grove at the side of the house.
The inspector heard it and turned to
take his overcoat from its peg on the
wall
"What the devil did you do it for?"
he broke out savagely. "Why on earth
couldn't you be content with the girls
love and let other peoples property
Rlone?"
The handouts ratified, and though
Jaffray could see nothing in the thick
darkness he knew that the boy was try
ing TO cover his face with his hands.
"Cause didn't have no better sense,
l reckon. " The inspector heard some
thing like a sob, and then the boy went
on, 81 wish to God you'd thess put me
out of my misty, Cap'n JaffrayP'
"How?"
amy ways; l don't keer how Thess
femme git outside, and then you anmake
out like l was a-tryin to git away and
turn loose on me with you uns gun"
And you'd rather die than stand
trial."
For shore 1 would-for Willie'i
sake. Hit wouldn't be nigh as hard or
her.
Lord Lord" groaned the inspector
behind his teeth Did anybody eveI
hear of two such young fools?" Then K
Anderson, "You mean that, do you:"
Fore God, 1 do, Cap'n Jaffray
Thess you try me and see, "
Then as the Lord liveth you shall
have your choice, said the inspector
Dolemnly. "Get up"
Anderson obeyed.
"Now climb out of that window
No; hold on till take the irons of.
don't want the name of having shot
hAndcuffed man. Now, then, out witt
you.
LATE climbed out and dropped to tn
ground. Then he took deep breath o
the free night air and began to realiz
dimly that it was going to be hard +
die in the full flush Of youth and health
None the less he turned quickly ant
faced the inspector, who stood wit
cooked pistol at the open window. "I'r
ready" he said firmly.
Jaffray snorted: Run, you fooll d
you suppose I'm going to commit col
, blooded murder and shoot you stand
ing?"
Lafe hesitated moment az if i
doubt as to whether he had heard Alright
1 Then he turned and walked slowl
l away. At the third step the pistol bari
l ed thrice, and Layne's dog, chained i
8 the barnyard, set up sympatheti
g howl. After that all was still until IN
q farmer came hurrying to the porch bee
+ room with a light. The inspector We
Sanding at the window, peering OF
:, into the darkness, and he put back b.
i hand for silence. Layne heard rapi
i footballs Ms of some one running owe
the dry leaves in the grove. Then thel
) was a glad little cry and the impatieI
), sniff of horse, quickly followed by
u diminishing chatter of hoofs and silenc
"Laync, he's gone, and I'd be willir
u 10 bet hen worth $50 that l never
:, much as winged him, >" said the inspect'
II coolly.
l. How do you reckon he got loosei
asked the farmer excitedly.
II Jaffray held up the locked handcuff
9 "You can see for yourself l got he
Sc Just in time to hurry him little. "
N Layne put the lamp down to examil
the letters. "By Jacks, l wouldn't ha
~ believed it'll But, then, Lafe's han
N new was no bigger than a woman
U Shall l saddle the hawsses?"
ITO chase him tonight? Not niue
= I'll know where to find him when
y want him. Go you back to bed and Il
IL the women there's nobody killed, Al
70 say, Layne, when this thing gets its'
ig talked about, just tell the facts as y
know them. Good night.
Id The next morning Layne looked
es see the chase organized in due form, b
he was disappointed. Inspector Jaffr
y, ate his breakfast leisurely, never Oh
st referring to the events of the night, a
ou afterward took the train south. 7
VI farmer wondered at this lack Of u
-. until he went around behind the por
ID bedroom and saw three bullet scars
wv the brick walk under the window.
'et "Well, by Jacks!' was all he said
- d. Ia, - l,.,I aw- no.