The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-06-15
CHAPTER X.-CoxrrNUED.

For a moment Ronald remained
where he was; his revolver was
empty, and he did not know but that
Hart might be unframed, hiding in am
bush waiting for him 10 draw nearer.
Al this juncture another horseman gal
Hoped 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 a point in the road
from whence he could see behind the
bushes that Obscured Hart from Rom
aids view. For fully a minute he sat
sstride his snorting animal, his eyes
bullying from their sockets.
damn you, you've dore inn" he
said, with a deep breath, and he swung
his revolver round till il pointed al 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 right leg over the rump of
his horse and stood on the ground
You've killed i'm" he gruntcG. as be
stepped towards the bushes; ''dare 10
come nigh i'm, an I'll let daylight
through youl"
Ronald stood as if rooted 10 the spot.
He had no desire TO see the man who
had fallen by his hand. 4 chill like that
of death stole over him. He had killed
a man-killed mani Then his heart
bounded suddenly little ray of hope
burst upon him, for be heard Thad Viii
liams' voice. low and tender: "Are you
hurt. sgd. old boy? Say. old chum,
come of; don't play tricks on mel"
There was a low monOtOnOus response
10 this, and il continued for fully half
a minute. Then Ronald heard a gut
tural. labored coughing. and when il
had ceased he knew that Sydney Hart
was dead. Striding 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 lis glaring eyes TO the turf and
looked al the speaker with a glare of
hate.
He don't look like he's runnin' of
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. but as you say yore
ammunition is out. reckon men you
had as well not take il up. The law will
atten' 10 wore case-it Ort TO make ii hot
FUR a cold-blooded murderer"
Il shot him in self-defense," answered
Ronald, averting his eyes from the re-
Pulsive sight.
self nothin'," sneered Williams.
jest before he dice he tot me how il
come about. He said you shot fust. an
that you said you had intended to STAY
i'm ever since that night at the swamp.
/ reckon the court viii take my testi-
mOny. an you bet I'll swear the truth"
You are going 10 swear 10 that.
.heH?" said Ronald. too deeply
shocked by what had occurred TO real
ize the full importance of the threat.
Williams nodded as he bent over the
corpse and began 10 stroke the hair
back from the clammy brow. There
was a rumbling Of wheels, and two cot
ton wagons filled with negro and white
laborers rounded the bend in the road.
Hold on thar" Williams cried. as
he Strengthened himself up and waved
ms two hands Il want one O. them
thar wagons 10 take a dead comrade
home 10 his firesidei"
The wagons stopped. The men
alighted. and. stricken with horror.
stepped lightly 10 where the lead
man lay. Ronald turned 10 60. i
am going to give myself up TO the
sheriff" he said. more to the staring
group than TO Williams. Il did it in
self defense"
The court viii pass on that,
threatened Williams. with a growl.
Ronald walked on. Under the con-
-oemning stare Of his neighbors he felt
almost as if he had committed a de-
ii5erate crime. They gave way for
hIm 10 pass as If his garments held
the germs of death. Round the bend
the strident voice OF Williams held
him up.
Handle i'm easy. men: he was not
sfeerd O. anything that ever woie
hide; you don't git 10 fetch many
sech in a lifetime; his dead meat is
better'n a meetin'- house full o the
common sort, in the best o health
Easy thar put yore han under his
head; be amt a-goin' 10 pizen you.
Hes 10 more fur this worl'. You'll
ncrer hcer his jolly laugh agin on his
earth. Ny God. is it possible you are
dcad-dead. old comrade?"