Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-02-25

bOrhOod. Yesterday afternoon you rode
him down to the junction of the roads
and sold him to a Mr.. Kenmore, who
mounted and rode him to Aldine. The
horse was identified by several who had
been out looking for him and who took
the direction toward your home The
case appeared strong against him who
had trusted your honor and you helped
along the impression of his guilt by ev-
cry means i'll your power. You removed
your mustache and dressed differently;
not only that but disguised your voice
and went into the inn with the angered
men who sought his life. He pointed
you out and appealed to you in vain.
You have visited this section SO infre-
quently Of late that very few know of
the changes in your personal appear
ance. You were able to deceive them,
and had you possessed the courage
would have helped run down the man
after his escape from custody"
This was a scathing arraignment, and
l should have given good deal for
look at the COuntenance of the man at
whom the words were directed. But he
had nerve, and heard his light laugh.
''lt is all interesting story which you
have told; but, my dear girl, you have
got things awfully mixed. The young
man in whom you are so interested
came up from New Orleans with me on
the Bonnie Belle. He is a professional
gambler whose name l have forgotten.
We parted at the Southtield landing,
and the next time [ saw him was when
! reached Aldine and found the mob
hotfoot after him. l went into the inn
with them, not dreaming whom they
were hunting. Then | learned for the
first time that he was supposed to be
myself Every one was referring to him
as Hank Boyer, because it can't be de-
MED that he bears a close resemblance
to me. Since no one seemed to suspect
my identity and the people were in a
most dangerous mood, | let the fancy
go, relying upon the future for its cor
rection. If they expected the pleasure
of lynching Hank Boyer, l was willing
they should have it, and one of these
days | should have the laugh on them.
That's all there is to that story, dearest
Esther"
This piece Of fiction may be classified
as of the daring order. 1t must have
been that long immunity had rendered
Boyer reckless, for when all the circum-
stances are remembered no yarn could
have been more absurd He must have
known that its falsity was certain b be
exposed very soon, but with the rash
self rnntiHnnan hn haI alron1xy oh
he probably believed he could braZen it
out, though how child could have
seriously entertained such a belief is
beyond my comprehension.
"That story, Henry, would be inter
esting if it were true, but it is not, and
both of us know it.
- on are ready to accept the word
Of any one in preference to mine?" he
remarked i'll an aggrieved tone.
Yes; l should accept that of a con-
vict i'll the penitentiary above your affi-
davit | repeat that it was you who
stole the horse from Colonel Mansley,
from me, and then cunningly made it
appear that an innocent man was the
criminal. You consented even that he
should be supposed to be you for the
sake of making your villainy successful,
though it is beyond my understanding
how you hoped to succeed. But heaven
has prevented the success of your wick
edness. The man is free, and you can
only save yourself by flight. Accept my
counsel and flee without an instant's
delay
a slight sound showed that the caller
had risen to his feet. His voice had o
mournful, pathetic tone as he said:
"Are you in earnest, Estheg?'