The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-03-16
She tasr1,od to face the posse.


ing steadily at his companion, when I
was near fainting moment ago l
thought the end had come, and instead
Of darkness there was dawn-an awful
dawn-the dawn Of new life, and the
glare and uncertainty Of it frightened
me. Ican't remember ever having been
frightened before. Did you ever see the
sky so blue?'' he asked, as he leaned
against rock and turned his face to-
ward the heavens. And the hills SO
green and the air SO fresh and cool and
sweet?'' And again there was silence,
and the wounded man appeared to be
trying to listen to the lneblood that
was trickling into his lung and won
dering how long it would take it to fl
ter away. The messenger dozed. The
black horse bit off mouthful Of bunch
grass, and, holding it still, raised his
head and listened. The men sat up and
reached for their arms. The sound Of
the approaching army came from the
canyon.
.sThey'ye been re-enforoed, :" said the
dark man. But you're all right
can square you in two minutes-and as
I've got to cash in any way it makes no
difference. Look out, there's woman, .
he said excitedly as the warden's daugh-
ter emerged froA NE canyon and gal
loped toward them.
ssHello, gal.'' said the dark man.
.s Where is hep she called.
Here, here cried the messenger
from behind the rocks, and moment
later she was bending over him. For
brief moment she suffered him to hold
her to his breast, and then, pushing
him away, she looked him full in the
face and asked in tone that almost
froze his blood: :. Are you guilty OF in
nocents Tell me quickly" But the mes
senger appeared to be utterly unable to
answer oreven comprehend her meaning.
She stood up and glanced toward the
canyon.
He's all right, gal. You've made no
mistake, y said the stranger.
..He saved my life, said the mcssen-
gen, pointing to his companion. why
don's you thank him?''
.sHow can Is'' she asked, turning to
the stranger and Offering the gloyed
hand.
'.Take this package to Mrs Monaro
in the white cottage ON the river, down
by the smelter. She's my wife. You'll
fnd her. And il you'll take the trouble
to be kind to her I snail die in your
debt and remain so 80 long as I'm dead.
Now take thisgun and protect that boy.
They won't fire on you, and I don't care
to kill anybody else, now that Pm al
ready overdue in another world ~
She took the gun mechanically and
turned to face the posse that was at that
moment beginning to swarm from the
canyon.
s'Are you mad:'' shouted the warden.
''Drop that gunv' cried sheriff with
his left arm in sling.
The messenger, utterly unable to un-
derstand what the row was all about,
attempted to rise and in his excitement
stood ON his broken ankle, and the quick
pain caused him to fall in a faint.
Look after the boy" said the dark
man, and the warden 8 daughter dropped
the ugly weapon and lifted her lovers
head from the ground.
s'Drop that gun!' repeated the sheriff.
A cowboy SHE'D rope at the dark man,
but he lodged it.
cone minute, - said he, opening his
shirt and showing his death wound; I;
you'll have no trouble arresting me. .
"Where's the murderer shouted an
excited citizen.
'.There's the chief" said the dark
man, pointing to the wounded sheriff.
The sheriff scowled.
els the express agent here:" asked
the principal speaker, and a fat man
with red face came forward.
'3This messenger is innocent. l mean
to kill the FIST man who offers to lay a
hand on him; after that you must pro-
tect him. This letter, which l have
taken the liberty to open, explains it
all. The sack of gold he left in the tank
you'll find where cached it in the
river opposite the engine. The paper. /
suppose, is all there by his side. He
was afraid Of being robbed and was try
ing to reach the junction when he was
assaulted by these idiots, whom he mis-
took for robbers, and how well lie
fought his own wounds and the dead
man down in the gulch will show you. !"
The messenger, having regained con-
sciousness, sat up and looked wildly
about. The agent, realizing at glance
what an awful mistake had been made,
fell upon the bewildered messenger and
wept like woman. Every passing Sec
ond added to the general confusion and
excitement. Cries Of Hang them, hang
thegni'' Game frequent and fast from the