Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-06-29

Now you are talking like free
born American citizen" said Dave, and
he went off to unload hiscottou.
Ronald had succeeded in banishing
from his mind the unpleasant thought,
reused by Dawes fears, and had crossed
the creek bridge and was within sight
of the dormer windows of Carnleigh
when, down the deserted road, he heard
a mans voice singing rolliclling song.
1t was Sydney Hart's voice, and its muf-
fled quality indicated inebriation. He
was still hidden from view by q sharp
bend in the road, but moment later he
came into sight, slowly riding along on
horseback. He did not recognize Ron
aid till he was within some fifty yards
of him. Our hero saw him rein in his
horse suddenly and then whip out his
revolver. Ronald paused and put his
hand on his own weapon, cooking it,
while it was still in his pocket. He
was, for the moment, conscious of no
other feeling than the instinct of self
preservation. Even then he hoped that
his antagonist had drawn his revolver
only in spirit of drunken bravado.
But this hope was quickly put to flight
by Syd's erect carriage and the steadi-
ness of his aim, which was now directed
on him. sgd laughed harshly.
'This is the moment that has been
sent in answer to my prayers" he said.
deliberately. "Thars been sight O.
talk about yore spunk, but never be-
lieved in it myself. I've always knowed
yore liver war white. Now, this heer
road is entirely too narrow fur me an
you both to travel on. You jest git into
them thar woods, UT won't leave
piece O. yore carcass big enough to bait
gnat on"
II don't want to have any trouble
with you, Hart" answered Ronald, who
had still not drawn his revolver, but
will not allow any living man, drunk or
sober, to drive me from public high
way"
"You won't, hey? Well, we'll see how
you like lead pills. Our hero saw the
barrel of the revolver steady itself, and
a blue puff of smoke rise from it, fol-
lowed by sharp report. Ronald heard
the ball whistle by him. He drew his
revolver, and, crouching down in the
road, that as little of his body might be
exposed as possible, he began to fire,
coolly and rapidly. His every shot was
returned by the lodging man on the
horse, which. frightened by the fire
above and in front of him, backed into
the low bushes that bordered the road
on, tho l,ff Ecnr,, 1,al,{nS
sgd ortinued to fire, and wherever
Ronald could catch sight of him
through the foliage he coolly directed
his shots. Ronald did not know which
of his last two shots had done the work,
but suddenly he saw The horse plunge
into the road without Its rider and start
down towards Carnleigh at the speed
of a runaway. For a momen. Ronald re-
manned where he was; his revolver was
empty, and he did not know but that
Hart might be unharmed, hiding in am
bush waiting for him to draw nearer.
AT this juncture another horseman gal
loped up 1t was Thad Williams, lis
long stringy locks flying in the breeze,
his revolver drawn, ready for use. He
refined his horse in at point in the road
from whence he could see behind the
bushes that obscured Hart from Rom
aids view. For fully minnie he sat
astride his snorting animal, his eyes
bullying from their sockets.
Damn you, you've done I'M" he
said, with n deep breath, and he swung
his revolver round till ii pointed at our
hero.
Mine is empty" answered Ronald.
I'm in your power"
With another oath. the stalwnrt fell
low thrust his revolver into his belt and
swung his right leg over the rump of
his horse and stood on the ground.
you've killed 'in," he grunicd. as he
stepped towards the bushes; dare to
come nigh i'm, an I'll let daylight
through you!"
Ronald stood as if rooted to the spot.
He had no desire to see the man who
had fallen by his hnnd. "A chill like that
of death stole over him He had Killed
a man-killed man. Then his heart
bounded suddenly little ray of hope
burst upon him, for he heard Thad Will
liams' voice, low and tender: Are you
hurt, sgd, old boy: Say, old chum,
come off; don't pay tricks on met"
There was low monotonous response
to this, and it continued for fully half
a minute. Then Ronald heard gut
tural, labored coughing, and when ii
had ceased he knew that Sydney Hart
was dead. Siriding forward, he parted
the branches of the bushes. He found
Thad Williams holding the dead mans
head on his arm, as he might have held
that of an infant.
rs he dead?" Ronald asked.
The giant lowered the lolling head
with its glaring eyes TO the turf and
looked at the speaker with glare of
hate.
Gle don't look like he's runnin' of a
foot race, do hep" he sneered, and a
sinister look took root in his face as
he went on: Men him used to stan
by one another. hut as you say yore
ammunition is out, I reckon men you
had as well not take 1t up. Thelaw will
atten' toyore caseit ort TO make it hot
fur cold FLOODED murderer"
81 shot him in self-defense," answered
Ronald. averting his eyes from the re-
pulsive sight.
"self nothin'," sneered Williams.
jest before he died he toll me how it
come about. He said you shot fust, an
That you said you had intended to slay
i'm ever since that night at the swamp.
[ reckon the court will take my testi-
mony, an you bet III swear the truth"
you are going to swear to that,
ther?" said Ronald, too deeply