Graham guardian., 1900-05-24
determination was in his ewes.

determination was IN Ms eyes.
"No," he said, firmly; they must
give him trial"
Sydney Hart leaned back In his sad
die and laughed tantalizlngly.
"Oh, you want to get chance at
him. eh7 You are s,udyin' TO be law
yer. an you've already begun to look
after the intrust OF your gang. Well,
you won't make anything out Of this
job II I can help IT,"
ave shall see" answered Ronald,
"IIe may not be guilty and you shall
not lynch him!"
The rider Of the horse leaned towards
Ronald and snapped his fingers. white
look OF fury unbridled on his sinister
face.
"Bah." he said. contemptuously. "If
couldn't thwart you Id cut my throat.
It's go, then; you are s-goin' TO give
The scamp trial an I'm a-goin' to LEI
the boys have the'r fun. Hs, ha! you
make me sick"
Ronald said nothing and Hart
wheeled his horse and, followed by the
crowd. he started towards the edge Of
the swamp. Dave fingered by the side
of his brother.
Don't stick yors head in the Gre
Roa," he counseled: mo human power
can balk sgd when he once makes mp
his mind. Besides, you'll make dan
gerous enemy ou, O. him. an everything
points TO the fellows guilt. What did
ne break an run fur If he was inno-
cent?"
That's what ] want 70 know" In
terposed Jade Fanshaw, In surly tone,
and his wife and daughters nodded ap-
provingly.
Because" was Ronald's reply, che
perhaps knew that the law Is not up
held in these mountains and was afraid
he would be lynched."
II believe he killed Mrs. Telplay,"
affirmed Mrs. Fanshaw. "an' as fur as
I'm concerned. they may take i'm oil
an hang i'm. The way justice is cheat
ed in court is enough TO dissatisfy any
body"
Ronald did not carry the argument
further, He went up TO his room, and
from his window watched sydney Hart
placing his men along the road which
led by the edge Of the swamp. In
about an hour Dave came upstairs and
.eaned in the doorway, an air Of in
decision on him. II have been studyin'
over this. Ron." he said. sheepishly,
AN I'm mighty sorry can't go the
whole hog with you, but jest cant
look at II like you do. have decided
10 make 1t draw-I'll not jine Harf's
crowd nor yores nuther. I mought be
with you ef | could see ghost of
chance o.. winnin'. but them fellers
would shoot US down like black cats on
a white fence"
Ronald looked him over with n steady
eye. III could never feel like patriotic
American again II l do not fight for
this fellows life," he said. "Will you
lend me your revolver again?"
Dave slowly drew IL from his hip
pocket.
Il feel like you are a-goin' TO git
yoresef in awful fix" he said. 81
wisht you would think better of It.
You nur me, nur no one man can't run
the universe"
"You are right" replied Ronald. "but
we can help do it. Our father. Dave.
was an outlaw up in Tennessee during
the war and | am going TO try 10 atom,
for his conduct by upholding the law
down here to the best OF my ability"
David sat down in chair near Ror
aids book-strewn table.
'l'ye been powerful afraid somebodl
down heer would git hold o Al! that
lie said, with some concern. ~ wish
we had never located so near his OLE
stamping-ground as this"
There is no use trying TO escape n
of crime" respordel
Ronald. ~ believe he thinks of hi
past night and day. have seen hin
Jump out Of bed in the middle of III
night as If he thought some one wa,
trying TO kill him.
"And thiuk ma is as much afeerd a.
he is" answered Dave. Sometimes ]
think she took hand in all Off H."
To this Ronald made no answer.