The Monticellonian., 1903-08-27

quiGNiAs lcAtiSu at HIS IdCt
 Don't ye try it." the girl said. harshly. I'll shoot-an' ye know I don't miss"
 'Mirey! Have you turned against me?"
 "Hain't ye played tn hypocrite long enuff, Joseph Armacost,n she sneered
 her feet. He glanced at it and started.
 T guess the plays oyer," he ob- served, wearily.
 She made no reply. After awhile he looked up again and said softly:
 "Mirey. before they-before 1 go will you forgive me?' ] She turned away her head to hide the tears of wounded pride that would not be repressed.
 1t was mean. cruel. desp:cable." he continued, but we have to do such things sometimes they're part of our orders. 1 wish you could understand and forgive me. Mirey."
 ''Fergiye ye." she burst out. Fer give ye. You lied to me. made love to me, learned me to l1ve-yes. to love-sich a snake as you. You'd have sent poor old pap to priscn. an made me an outcast-a convict's dar- ter. Forgive ye? Never-you hound"
 'Mirey it wasn't all q lie. l did admire you-I do yet. And ! ir- tended to arrange that your father might escape if"
 Then ye wouldn't have done yer duty. You'd have played traitor to both sides. Don't talk to me. l don't never want to hear yer voice"
 There was i long silenee-then the man remarl;ed:
 T suppose Jake has gone after the gang"
 Don't mention Jake's name. You ain,t fit to. He's a man"
 Look here. Airey Do you realize what you are doing? You are help ing muRder me, as surely as though you had shot me through the head with that revolver. Do you under stand what that means-to take hu- man lfe-in cold blood? Bad as I am I never did what you are doing now. You are helping murder me, Mirey."
 The girl shuddered again, then steeled herself
 How do I know what they'll do with ye? That's their bizness-not mine. You an them fer that.
 .Mirey, you know as well as I that I'll never see another sunrise if you keep me here 90 minutes longer. 1ou loved me once, Mirey. An hour ago you would have gone with me to tSae ends of the earth. Do you hate me so HOW that you will stain your soul with my blood?"
 She gave d great sob.
 What kin l do? l dascn't let ye go. Let me alone. Fer Gods sake don't tempt me"
 He strained his strong wrists, the handkerchief fell over the supple, pliant hands, and he sprang to his feet. defying the deadly weapon upraiscd in the shaking hands.
 "stopt I'll have To shoot. l prom ised Jalle-yere a spy"
 shoot then. Mirey. I'd better die that way than by torture. Shoot right here-between the eyes-be sure.'
 The dark eyes looked into his, filed with tears, and the grim muAzle dropped.
 70. Roh-I kain't-I'm a coward"
 He sprang forward seized the weapon, and fired every chamber in the air.
 Now, you've done your duty" he exclaimed. breathlessly. You've fted every bullet at me and only wounded me as I ran. Eve boat concealed at the river Goodby, Mirey."
 She grssped his arm and clung to him desperately.
 Not till l know ye won't inform on pap and-Jake. must know that, CT I'll hold ye till they come an they've heered tn shots"
 "Gould I betray you-after you've saved me? Mirey- girl--look in my eyes-they shall never know"
 She looked knew, and released 1 HliH. He SIOpbtt to hiSS iiti, bui SA40 i thrust him back fiereely. He seized the brown right hand, pressed it To his lips, and bourd ded away. The girl fell on Ter knees.
 70 Lord forgive me fer what I've done Forgive me fer tEe lle I'm about ,a tell. An, 0, God, help me to f,..S:, him"
 Then sine pressed her burning lips o the brown right hand. rubbed the spot madly with the crushed letter and. wi.4 little moan. east the pa per awt,,. as she cast him from her heart. and rose to face the hurrying men.
 Late that night when Jake re- turned weary and desperate. from the fruitlesS search, Alirey. from the old mans s'de, stepped forward in the moonlight to meet him.
 Jake she said, softly don't l worry. He'll rever tell. l know"
 Jake looked down, sternly. into the dark eyes
 "Mirey- you let him go."
 She laid both brown hands on his arm and looked mp, pleadipglY. into the grave. rugged face