The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-05-11

boys were found unconscious by the
roadside, dubbed into oblivion by White
Caps.
ssNartin Dome.' said everybody. Yet
beyond his hate there was no evidence
against him.
It was known positively that he had
left Tennessee and gone into Texas, and
every one felt happier.
"We're waiting for him; he'll find
as here when he drifts back, :" said the
old doctor with quiet smile. At sun
rise the next morning the villagers
brought home the dead body Of his old
est boy, shot through the heart in
fight, and the fight had its origin over
the jiltang Of Martin Dome by Ellen
Crawford.
Two years had gone-two years OF
hopeless waiting and watching by the
father, robbed Of all that had made the
sunshine of his old age. His hair was
white now, his step was feeble and
hating, his voice was weak and tremu-
lous. Els 55 years had changed to 20.
But one day a yellow envelope was
put into his hand. 1t was telegram
that bore the signature OF T. +. Lake,
private detective:
ssI have found your man hiding in
saloon, it said. ST have him fast.
Come to Knoxville or send Crawford
and swear out the warrant for his ar
rest. .
Crawford and the father stood in the
Office Of Commissioner Broyle. awaiting
the arrival of the detective and the po-
lice with their quarry. They came pres
entity, and the enemies stood face to face.
The faces of the father and the husband
cleaned with hatred of the man who
stood before them in rags that would
scarcely hold together, unshaven, IN
kempt, haggard. poor and i'll, with the
hunger of many days and nights.
And then all started to their feet as
graceful little figure that they knew
stood in the doorway with hand uprals-
ed, light in her eyes such as her hus-
band had never seen there.
ssSend that man away!"
These were her frst words. Eer fn-
ger pointed at the detective.
s.He shall not harm hair Of Martin
Dome's head. I"
Father and husband strobe toward
her and grasped her by the arms.
s.Girl. do you know what you say
do you know what this means?' cried
the doctor.
81 do, . she answered. tHe must not
be arrested. .
Lake dropped his hold Of the prison
ec, stood with his mouth wide open and
stared at the woman.
ssLet me be sure that understand
this clearly, . said the husband after
panse. Let me know that ! am not
mad OF dreaming. This is the situation
as clearly as ] can make out: This man
has ruined your father, he has tried to
kill me. he has brought about the death
Of your brother, yet you say that ne
shall not be punished. .
ssI mean thatif he be punished I will
go with him to the end of the world. =
she answered, looking at Dome with
all her heart in her eyes. 8 What care
for what he has done? He loved me and
we we're to have been man and wife be-
fore you and I ever met. The wrong
has been my wrong. The fault has been
my fault from the beginning. 1t is all
q mistake-all dreadful mistake.
Her eyes softened and her voice melted
into tears as she gazed upon the broken
man before her. And he was weeping
like baby.
.sI thoughtTI thought-you had for
gotten the old days when we were chill
dren and all in all to each other, he
sobbed.
ST never forgot, she softly said.
ssNow, father, take me home. / am
tired Of living this life.
"Will the husband kill the man who
holds the love of his wife? Will Dome
kill the man who robbed him OF his
sweetneart:' ask the men.
.sWhat fools men are! Sho wesn't t
worth the trouble, say the women
New York World.