The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-12
THE DELIVERANCE
 OF PRISCILLA WES.;
BY HELEN F. SANDERS.

,.JsssHsis Jcsgy5Hisss isS,i ss Sals sssis , man was his wife. His wife, to whom he had been married for years. and who was just come to join him in Dead Man Gulch. .,. ,.-tv you gave her here in this hall. l heard l the music, the laughter, the scraping or your feet on the boards.
 God knows what tempted that man ,n to come to me, but he staggered Tn, laughing and taunting me, The gun was was standing in the corner. l ordered nm away, and he insulted me. Then Killed
 He murdered my honor: murdered his body. Judge between him and me; then take me out and hang me, ana hoio a church service over his carcass. The spell that her words created oleo with them Savage clamor arose. You have heard the woman what shall we do with her?' asked Joshua Elm.
 The shout was spontaneous; there was not one dissenting voice The guards took their places on eacn side of her. and they marched ner os 1us into the snow, followed by the aVenslng citizens of Dead Mans Gulch.
 It was a long tramp through the lce to a little hill crowned with three pine
 Priscilla knew it to be the spot where two stage robbers had been hanged.
 They came to a stand few paces from the dark, straight trees. Then TOT the first time, some one thought oi 'he child. ,s
 You must give up the brat" Elm said'
 She She handed him the bundle with dig 'By God. it's deadr' he exclaimed.
 That had been her secret; it was now her triumph. .,
 How long has it been dead?'
 Iae t0h
 There was a short consultation.
 With brutal despatch. they dug snaio low trench in the frozen ground. Ine tattered bundle of bones ana ciotn was iaid in the rough grave. the the lumpy earth heaped over 1t without tear or benediction. .o,ua there came through the still ar the strange, sharp beat of running hoois.
 InvoIuntarily they listened, httie awed, and the work continued with the' haste of quickened nerves.
 She watched them fasten the ugly rope and try it: she saw the skeleton or wood stand gaunt before her. It was done.
 Again. across the waste, came the throb of beating hoofs; .,,, ,nor the scaffold. She stood pallid ana nm, movable as they bound her hands ana put the rope around her neck.
 Have you anything to say oetore you
 As he spoke Joshua Films gaze shifted: He was listening: the hoof beats rang 'o" "WiIl any of you deliver a message for me the next time you go to The Sun Rise Mine?" Her voice was very calm.
 erf Then go to Jim McNeill, and tell him how I died. Tell him what I told you in the cabin wonder. and tell him ne was the man l loved | gave my ooay .i
 :'Teli him I knew who brought the food to my baby and me. Tell nm l always loved him; love him now
 The hoof beats were ringing among them-the mad rider was there. as ne raised his stern. set face, the woman on the scaffold uplfted her bound hands high above her head. called out his
 He was on his feet in the thick of them. tall. puissant. determined. .,
 You'd best not interfere. Josnua Films jaw bulged. and his gray eyes changed color. His hand rested on the pistol in his belt
 The two men understood each other.
 McNeill ioosened the rope ana niIeo ,ot the limp, little woman from the plat
 If any man touches her-why. you know Jim McNeill?'
 and deliberately backed ten paces, ieaV- ing a clean sweep of snow between them. Each took his aim carefully, deliberate- ly. A shrill whistle sounded. and simui- taneously two sharp shots convulsed the stiffness.
 The misty smoke curled away. Joshua Elm lav stretched on the ice, orignt @ crimson stain by his side. McNeill bent over him and felt for his hert.
 ''He isn't dead-the dog. Come, some of you, and take him away"
 They obeyed him mutely. for his man. ner, and perhaps what had just occur red. marked him their master, and there was no one among them who cared to disprove 1t now. -
 Priscilla, reused to consciousness by the concussion caused by the shot. leaned on her elbow and stared with frightened eyes.
 the snow.
 It was not time for words. Their eyes met he clasped her in his arms and kissed her, then gently raised her to her feet. With his strong arms sup porting her. he led her slowly, tenderly away among the sneltering pines. The crowd stood inert fixed.
 Hoof beats reverberated once more on the still, cold air, but this time they were reced!rg.