Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-10-14

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hotel she knew that il was he.
Paralysis" JACK was saying. at the
same time trying to pierce through the
heavy veil that hid jess tear-stained
face. 81 trust that it isn't anything
serious" he continued. "May go to
see your father?"
Certainly" Jess answered. in a
trembling voice; Il know that be viii
be glad to receive you."
AZ will be out there Sunday. Good
morning"
The balance of the week Jack was not
to be seen. He knew that his presence
embarrassed Jess, so he kept aloof.
First, Jack was inclined to regard Jess
as new woman" but he promptly
changed his opinion and Saturday
morning the porter handed her a note,
which read as follows:
Miss Mitchell; I have long been cher
| ishing an ideal have accumulated wealth,
hoping that some day this ideal would be
reality, now lay my wealth, my heart and
lifelong devotion at your feet.
JACK WILLIAMS"
That evening jess was later than
usual getting home. Sam, who watched
ton the sly) for her every evening, was
frantic. He had heard of Jim Bos-
wells return. Jim was the leader of a
gang of thieves and a sworn enemy of
Sans. This enmity was the continual
tion of feud that commenced be-
tween both families long before Jim
was born. Sam tried TO make friends
4 49,
until the last Bruce was off top Of ere
alton
Sam feared that the gang would
"hold up" Jess, so he walked down to
meet her. He had not gone very far be
fore he spied four masked men. He was
under the impression that he was I'M
observed, so he hid behind clump of
trees No wait for Jess Every second
seemed an hour to him. At last he
heard the sound of vehicle, but it
came so slowly that he felt positive
that it was not hers. Or, great heaven!
Could it be that old Cob was coming
home without driyerg
Sam jumped from ambush and ran
wildly down the road. Jim had recog-
nized Sam from the first. but waited
to see what he was up to before letting
him know that he was around. When
the gang saw Sam running they started
in hot pursuit, thinking that he was try
ing to get away from them.
In the meantime Jess had been think
ing deeply over the contents of the
note she had received that morning.
She had come to a decision. She
would marry Jack Williams for her par
ents' sake. Seeing the lateness of the
hour. she gave Cob the whip.
Haiti" shouted one of the gang,
rushing into the street and grabbing
the bride Of her horse
what do you want?" Jess asked.
money or your life!' came from
the masked Desperate in a murderous
hiss.
You will get neither" Jess
answered. The l;ttle money have my |
disabled parents need am jess
Mitchell"
On hearing the name the man took his
hands from the bride and passed aside |
without another word. Old Cob seemed |
to know that his friend was in danger,
for he started up the road at such a |
break-neck rate jess could hardly hold |
him. They had not proceeded very far
when she heard the report Of a pistol
close by, then a groan and her name
called. She stopped, alighted and went
in the direction of the shot. She found
poor Sam wounded almost to death and |
his enemy bending over him. watching
with glee for the last gasp.
sam Bruce!" screamed Jess. sand
you-,Jim Boswell-his murderer"
MY Cod Miss Jess. what is Sam
Bruce to you?"
Everything, Jim-everything."
jess got down upon her knees and
tried to stop the flow of blood with her
handkerchief. Jim knelt beside her:
he put his hand over Sans heart. looked
closely at the wound and said: "He viii
not die, Miss less" lie then whistled
for his partners; he told them to divest
themselves of their masks and to see
that Sam was taken home. He himself
went for the nearest doctor.
Sam wanted the elite at his wedding. |
jess did not object. but she said not one I
of her poor friends should be sighted {
for the very greatest of them. The night I
of the wedding homespun and imported