The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-07-16

 ternoon he got around to the vicinity of Ike Sorrers cabin and to the Rock spring trail. down which he strode at his swinging, tireless gait. It was within an hour of sunset, and the sha- dows of evening were already creeping up from the ravines. Abe was sing ing down the trail from the west and into the shadows that already hung round the spring that supplied water to the Sorrels, as well as to all travel CTS on the trail over the mountain. Fol- lowing the trail, he passed near the clearing and Ikes cabin. But all was still about the place. The door of the hut was closed. and there was mo sign of life present.
 But as Abe neared the spring he saw . woman kneeling by the little stream. bathing her face in the waters that flowed from the spring; and his heart began an emotionate humping, for he knew the woman was Martha Ann. He had avoided her on all other occasions since his return from the West: but here she was alone, and he determined to speak to her, to grasp her hand, to take her in his arms, if she would per- unit 1t. though he had to kill Ike Sor- rel the next moment. for multiplied sto- ries of Ike's abuse had reached Abe's ears Tn the past week.
 Hearing footsteps on the trail, Mar tha Ann looked up. and stream of mixed blood and water spread down over her face, giving 1t a splash of scarlet. Abe Hawkins stopped where he was a moment, then hurried for ward.
 Martha Ann. how come that gash in your forehead?
 Abe was holding out his hands to the girl; and, involuntarily her own had gone up to him, still dripping from the stream and bearing faint traces of blood from the wound in her forehead
 I dasn't tell ye. Abe." she said. in answer to his question.
 Then ye needn't, for I know. It's one of Ike's love licks. d-n im."
 Abe knelt beside the girl. laid his arm gently about her waist and began bathing her face. having taken a big handkerchief from about his neck, which he dipped into the water. Abe was realizing a situation long dream ed of, and he prolonged the service he was rendering long after the flow of blood from Martha Ann's forehead had been stanched. Occasionally, Abe al- lowed his lips to come near enough to touch Martha Ann's hair and his grip on her waist gradually frightened For the girl, 1t was a moment of stolen Joy out of life of dread and suffering. and she yielded without thought of consequences. to the temptation of 1t. And only the sound of a commotion among the undergrowth on the hillside above them, and the hoarse breathing or guttural growl recalled her from the sense of happiness that had been hers for five minutes.
 Martha Ann Sprapp to bar Faat aod Abe Hawkins did likewise, releasing his hold upon her waist. Ike Sorrel, like some infuriated animal of the jun gle, was coming down the hill toward them. leaping the bushes and uttering growls of anger that were meant to in spire terror in those who heard. In one hand he carried pistol, in the oth- CT his long bladed clasp-knife. Rush ing upon the two at the branch he slashed at Martha Ann with the knife and brought the pistol to bear upon Abe Hawkins breast. Martha Ann screamed and lodged out of his reach while Abe's foot suddenly went sky ward, and Sorrers pistol described a se- ries of circles and fell far over his head in the swamp. Then, before the moment of surprise had passed, Abe's big fist shot outwS'G and landed upon Sorrefs neck. There was a distinct crack. The mountaineer's head fel limp to his shoulder, and his body sank to the ground.
 It all happened in the twinkle of ar eye; and a moment of silence followed A mans fist has never peen considered | deadly weapon, but the body of Ike Sorrel. with a broken neck, lay ther, in evidence of this misconstruction ol the law. Presently, Martha Anr crouched toward Abe. realizing wha had happened to her tyrant of hus | band, and with a sense of awe tha made her shiver and long for further protection. Abe reached out and touch ed her. caught her by the arm anc | dragged her against him. We're safe now, Marthy Ann," h, said.
 Martha Ann looked up into his eye! | and crept closer.
 "Id have gone back West the min ute l found ye'd married. gal. if
 hadn't hyeard ye war ketchin' h-l al the time from that brute. I reckonet I'd stay an kill i'm. jest on account O the old days, Marthy Ann, though hardly thought Tdo it with my fist"
 But, Abe, I'm afeard the law will take ye."
 Well let it. I'll have the satisfac l l a hectorin' over ye, while I'm servin' I don't see what ye married the coyot, for. noway."
 Abe drew away from Martha Ann Rut the girl shrank quickly toward him again.
 | "Ye went off, Abe, an never hyearc word from ye; an Ike kep a poster in an a pesterin' of me. till I though jest as we'll"
 "I reckon twas my fault, Martin, Ann, not writin', but, ye see. I didn' know the fellers out there much, an | didn't want to ax any of em to do 1 l for me, But I thought ye might ha 1 waited anyhow"
 Martha Ann only crept closer Pres | ently Abe strode forward and turned over the body of Ike. Then he led tn, way up the trail.
 Old Jerry Moore was the coroner and by daylight the following day h, had summoned his jury from the hill sides and the ravines of Mooreheayen The broken neck of Ike Sorrel was GU. riously examined by the jurors, ant Slances of admiration for the neatnes. or the job were directed toward Alb, Hawkins.
 When the jury was impanelled tn, evidence taken was little more than ; matter of attempted form. and con. sumed not exceeding fifteen minutes Then Bill Turner, the foreman of the jury elected to that position on ac | count of his knowledge of reading anc writing. canvassed the jury in tn, presence of the court and witnesse. then laboriously wrote down the yer dict which he afterards as labortousl, read aloud: