Graham guardian., 1900-06-08

might make i'm rabid."
Ronald hesitated, but, on being
urged, he took the revolver and put 1t
into his pocket
81 don't want any row." he said, set
ting his lips firmly. "but l will not be
shot down in public road"
"Now you are talking like free
born American citizen" said Dave, and
ne went off TO unload his cotton.
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
whept down the deserted road he heard
mans voice singing rollicking song.
It was Sydney Hart's voice, and its muf.
f1ed 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 1t,
while II 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 q spirit of drunken bravado.
But this hope was quickly put to fight
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. "Thar's been sight O.
talk about yore spunk, but never be-
lieved in ii 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"
81 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 the left From behind these bushes
sgd Continued 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 Carnieigh al the speed
of a runaway. For d monen. Ronald re-
manned where he was; his revolver was
empty, and he did not know but thai
Hart might be unharmed. hiding in am
bush waiting for him to draw nearer.
At this juncture another horseman gal
loped up. Ii was Thad Williams. his
long stringy locks flying in the breeze,
his revolver drawn. ready for use. He
reined 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 minute he sal
astride his snorting animal, his eyes
bulging from their sockets.
Damn you, you've done im!" he
said, with deep breath, and he swung
his revolver round till it pointed a, our
hero.
Mine is empty" answered Ronald.
I'm in your power"
With another oath, the stalwart fell
low thrust his revolver into his belt and
swung his righ, leg over the rump OF
his horse and stood on the ground
You've lhlled i'm" be grunted us he
come nigh i'm, an I'll lei daylight
through you!"
Ronald stood as IL rooted TO the spot.
He had no desire to see the man who
had fallen by his hand. A chill like that
of death stole over him. He had killed
a man-killed q mani Then his heart
bounded suddenly-a little ray Of hope
burst upon him, for he heard rhad Will
liams' voice, low and tender; Are you
hurt, sgd, old boy? Say. old chum,
come off; don't play tricks on mel"
There was a low monotonous response
TO this, and II continued for flilythalf
minute. Then Ronald heard gut.
tural, labored coughing, and when il
had ceased he knew that sydney Hart
was dead. Strding 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.
as he dead?" Ronald asked.
The giant lowered the alolling head
with It's glaring eyes to the turf and
locked at the speaker witba glare of
hate.
"He don't look like he's runnin' OF
foot race, do he?" he sneered, and
sinister look took root in his face as
he went on: "Me'n him used to stan
by one another, but as you say yore
ammunition is out, reckoii men you
had as well not take It up. fhe law will
atten' TO yore case--it ort TO makei il no,
fur old-blooded murderer"
II sho, him in self-defense," answered
Ronald, ayerting his eyes from the re-
pulsive sight.
"Self nothin'," sneered Williams.
"Jest before he died he toll me how /,