The Forrest City times., 1897-08-27

hoiel she knew that it wasna
 Paralysis" Jack was saving at ,ba same time trying to pierce through inc heaVy veil that hid Jess tear-sfa;nad lace. ! trust that it isn't anything serious he continued. "May 20 to see your father?"
 Ceriainly," Jess answered. in trembling voice; "I know that he will De glad to receive you"
 T will be out there Sunday. Good morning"
 The balance of the week lack was m. to be seen. He knew that his presence embarrassed Jess, so he kept aloof flrst, 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 ia',,is td.tI an ldeai. have accumulated wealth, hopihs mat some day this ideal would be reaii'N now lay my wealth, my heart and ihelong devotion at your feet
 JACK WILLIAMS"
 That evening Jess was later than usual getting home. Sam, who watched tou the sly) for her every evening. was frantic. He had heard of Jim Ros- WeIls return. Jim was the leader of a gang ei thieves and sworn enemy of Sarn's. This enmity was the continual tlon ef feud that commenced be- tween both families long before Jim was born. sam tried to make friends With Jln, but Jim said "he'd never rest untll the last Bruce was off top of ere atiOn~
 sam feared that the gang would nod up" Jess, so he walked down to meet her. He had not gone very far be- fore he spied four masked men. Hewas under the impression that he was un- observed, so he hid behind a clump of trees to wait for Jess. Every second seemed an hour to him. At last he heard the sound of a vehicle. but it came so slowly that he felt positive that II was not hers. Or, great heavenl Could 1t be that old Cob was coming home without driver?
 Sam jumped from ambush and ran wildly down the road Jim had recop- nized Sam from the first, but waited to see what he was up to before letting hhm know that he was around. When the gang saw Sam running they started Tn 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.
 "Halti" shouted one of the gang, rushing into the street and grabbing the Hidle of her horse.
 What do you want ?" Jess asked.
 Money or your life!" came from the masked desperado in a murderous hiss.
 You will get neither" Jess answered. "The little 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 break-neck rate Jess uldshardly 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 10 death and his enemy bending over him, watching with glee for the last gasp.
 Sam Bruce!" screamed Jess, land you-Jim Boswell-his murdererl"
 My God, 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 Sams heart. looked closely at the wound and said: He will not die, Miss Jess" He 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 of her poor friends should be sighted for the very greatest of them. The night of the wedding homespun and imported brocade rubbed elbows" Jim Bos- we'll was not forgotten, but he stood outside until the ceremony was per formed. On entering the room he walked over to Sam and said aloud:
 ''Sam Bruce, you have won a noble woman for a wife. I, too, love her, but not as you do. The adoration and worship that a good Christian man would give his Creator give her. The one that won my mans love now sleeps beneath the daisies. When she, Jess and myself played together as children, I loved both of them. When she, the one of my heart. left me. cared not for
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