Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1900-06-21

itated; for that gentleman objected
to the boys trespassing upon his
ground.
So Hugh stood still, uncertain
whether to cross the little bridge that
spanned the stream or take the longer
way around through the woods to the
road.
There was a half-mooa that night,
but it gave only fitful and uncertain
light. The sky was covered with
, heavy. fast-fying clouds, and a high
wind was moaning dismally through
the trees behind him.
AS Hugh paused with one foot on
the bridge, the moon came from be-
hind a cloud, and shone clear and
bright for moment; and Hugh saw,
the same probably that Uncle Milton
had been chasing all that afternoon.
He was gone in a second. but Hugh
caught flying glimpse of his brush
as he bounded over Mr.. Carver's Germ
field toward wall.
what a glorious thing it would
be-" thought Hugh. ''to be the one to
carry home the fox, after ALL"
He darted across the bridge and on
toward the wall. Just before he
reached it, however, the clouds again
covered the moon.
But he cr2pt softly along by the
wall and presently he heard slight
rustling among the bushes close to
him. Hugh softly raised his weapon
to his shoulder. and at the same mo-
ment. whack! came 4 blow upon the
top of his head.
The boy looked up in amazement,
and saw in the dim light an arm
extended above him, and the next in
slant it struck his upturned face, half
binding him.
Look Quit" cried Hugh, angrily.
you have no right to strike me.
Don't do it again.
His antagonist made no reply. In
around in a very threatening and
energetic manner.
Before it could fall. Hugh sprang
away; but in doing so he stumbled
on the rough ground and fell back
ward. The gun he held slipped from
his grasp.
There was a sudden flash of fire,
a sharp report, and a heavy body fell
headlong to the earth.
Sick with terror and trembling from
head to foot. Hugh struggled to his
feet again. He gave one hasty look
at the blaN silent heap on the
ground. snatched up his hat, which
had fallen from his head, and ran on.
He never knew how he reached
home; but as he opened the door, the
sound of cheerful voices coming from
the dining room seemed strange and
unnatural. In an agony of terror, he
ran quickly upstairs to his own little
room.
He found match and lighted the
candle. which stood upon table near
the bed. Then he pulled off his hat
and threw it down.
AS the light fell upon the hat. he
gave cry of horror. 1t was not his;
it must have belonged to the man
whose life he had taken.
Hugh turned it slowly around, a
cold chill creeping all over him as he
noticed the small hole near the band.
Suddenly his eyes rested upon the lin
ing. He gave low cry. and the hat
fell from his shaking hand. for print
ed upon the somewhat soiled and
faded red silk was the name-''Rich-
ard Carver"
"Oh. what shall 1 do? what shall l
do?" moaned Hugh. Poor Mr.. Car
yer! Oh! oh. OH"
Presently the silence of the room
began to be unbearable, and he
thought:
ST can't stand this. 1 will go and
find father and tell him"
He crept down the stairs softly. The
house was very quiet now. but light
was shining from a half-open door.
Hugh looked in, and saw his mother
rocking backward and forward in
low chair, singing softly to the baby
in her arms. There was no one else
in the room.
81 couldn't tell her! l wonder where
father is?" thought Hugh, as he stole
toward the hall door,
Then he remembered to have heard
that Mr.. Balm was going to call upon
some one in the village.
He ran swiftly along the road. so
occupied with his own dreadful
thoughts that he did not notice boy
who was coming toward him, until
his arm was grasped, and Mark Crow
exclaimed:
Halo, Hugh. Where are you go
ing?"
ITO the village" said Hugh, strug-
CLING to free himself.
Il say, what is the matter?" cried
Mark, without releasing his arm.
The unhappy boy broke down all
at once. and sobbed out:
"Ohl oh! oh! I've shot Mr.. Car
YER"
''Shot Mr.. Carver?" repeated Mark,
from his friend in horror.
81 know you said you hated him, but
l never thought you meant to kill
him.
"Of course l didn't mean to-" cried
Hugh. 81 fell and-and the gun went
off, and he tumbled down without q
world"
You don't expect anyone to believe |
that" said Mark, quickly. why, as
many as ten boys heard you say you
hated him. and would like to do all |
kinds of things to him only this |
But if you are really sorry" |
continued Mark, after a pause. which |
Hugh filed up with sobs. you can |
go to Judge Winter and give yourself |
up. And III go with you, for fear you
might be tempted to run away, you
know"