Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-03-01

IL" other side or the balance. Justice
the discipline and confidence Of his lit
tie army and tie claim of the wOmeI
and children on the frontier demanded
ir mess in dealing with a case Ike
Long Hairs.
30. no" ho Sid TO Beverley, 81
w1uld do anything i'm the world fol
V, : fi:Z, exc. pt 10 swerve an incl
fr;;n Glty to my country and the de-
f;..':irss people down yondcr in Ken
trciy. cant do it. There's no use tC
pr,;S ti.r natter further. The die Is
cast. That brltc's got 10 be killed and
killed DE-; Il. Look ut him-loOk mt that
scalp. I'd have him killed if dropped
dead for il The next instant"
Beverley shuddered. The argument
was horribly convincing, and yet. some
how, the desire to save Long Hair
overbore everything else in his mind
He could not cease his efforts. 1t seem
ed to him as if lie were pleading fol-
Alice herself. Captain Farnsworth
strange to say, was the only man in the
fort who leaned to Beverley's side, but
he was reticent doubtless feeling that
his position rs British prisoner gave
him no right to speak, especially when
every lip around him was mutterine
something about infamous scalp buy
crs and Indian partsans." with whom
he was prominently counted by the
speakers.
AS Clark had said. the die was cast
Long Hair. bound 10 Il stake, the scal!
still dangling at his side, grimly faced
his eXccutiOners. who We're eager to
fire. He appeared to be proud of the
fact that he was going to be killed.
'One thing | can say of him." Helm
remarked to Beverley-"he's the grand
est specimen of the ANIMAL might
say the brute-man that | ever saw
red, white or black. Just look at bis
body and limbs. Those muscles are
perfectly marvellous
"Hc saved my life, and | must stand
here and see him murdered the young
man replied with intense bitterness.
1t was all that he could think, all that
he could say. He felt inefficient and
detected, almost desperate.
Clark himself, not willing to cast re-
sponsibility upon Il subordinate, made
ready to give the fatal order. Turning
to Long Hair first, he demanded of
him as well rs he could in the Indian
dialect, of which he had smattering,
what he bad to say at his last moment.
The Indian Strengthened his already
upright form and by strong bulginG
of his muscles snapped the thongs that
bound him. Evidently he had not tried
thus to free himself. 1t was rather a
spasmOdic expression Of savage digni-
ty and pride. One arm and both his
legs still were partially confined by the
bonds, but his right hand he lifted,
with a gesture of immense self salts
faction. and pointed at Hamilton.
"Indian brave: white man coward, y
he said. scowling scornfully. Long
Hair tell truth: white man lie!'
Hamilton's countenance did not
change its calm, cold expression. Long
Hair gazed Il. him fiXedly for Il long
moment, his eyes flashing most concen-
trated hate and contempt. Tlien he
tore the scalp from his belt and flung
1t with great force straight toward the
captive governors face. 1t fell short,
but the Look that went with it did not.
and Hamilton recoiled.
At that moment Alice arrived. Her
coming was just in time TO interrupt
Clark, who had turned to the waiting
platoon with the order Of death on his
lips. She made no noise. save the tiut'
tering of her skirts and her loud and
rapid painting on account Of her long,
hard run. She sprang before Long
Hair and faced the platoon.
"You cannot, you shall not kill this
man. she cried in voice loaded with
excitement. Put away those guns
Woman never looked more thrillingly
beautiful to man than she did just
then to all those rough. stern back
woodsmen. During her flight her hair
had fallen down. and it glimmered Ike
soft sunlight around her face. Some
thing compelling flashed out of her
eyes. an expression between Il trium-
phant smile and ray of irresistible
beseechmcnt. 1t took Colonel Clark's
breath when he turned and saw her
standing there and heard her words.
"This man saved Lieutenant Bever'
ley's life," she presently added, getting
better control of her voice and sending
into it a thrilling timbre. You shall
not harm him; you must not do it''
Beverley was astOunded when he
saw her. the thing was so unexpected,
so daring and done with such high, i'm
perious force. Still it was but real
ization of what he had imagined she
would be upon occasion. He stood gaz-
ing at her, rs did all the rest, while she
faced Clark and the platoon of rifle
men. To hear his own name pass her
uulNpTlllS llDS III tilul tohN oh' ~ N'"~
connection seemed to him u consecra'
tion..
Would You be more savage than
your Indian prisoner?' she went on;
LESS grateful than he for life saved!
| did lin small-a very small-serv'
ice once, aud in memory of that he
saved Lieutenant Beverley's life, be-
cause-because"- faltered for a sin
gle breath, then added clearly and with
magnetic sweetness-"because Lieuten.
ant Beverley loved me and because !
loved him. This Indian Long Hair
showed gratitude that could over
come his strongest passion. You white
men should be ashamed to fall below
his standard"
Her words went home. 1t was as if
the beauty of her face, the magnetism