Alaska sentinel., 1905-10-05

dse to meet my ldle Ike man. III the morning I was brought from the Jail and taken about half d mile out of town. A halt was made in front of a large tree and rope was thrown over a lower limb. The moose was adjusted around my neck and my hands tied be- hind my back. At my own request my eyes were not bandaged. The sig nal was given! The moose was drawn taut and with a jerk I was swung into the air
 70 God, What a sensation. I went through twenty hels in as many sec onds, The last thing that met my swimming sight was a horseman dash ing up the road. My head seemed bursting and there was horrible roaring in my ears. Then I heard something like a faint report The next instant I went sinking, sinking into space. Then there was a sudden shock. I knew no more.
 When I came to, was lying at the foot of the tree. The crowd sur rounded a man who held rife. When l had recovered sufficiently I was in- formed of the cause of my sudden bringing back to life. The rope by which l was suspended had been cut In two by bullet from the rifle of the man who had ridden up so hurriedly.
 This man. Jim Winters. lived among the hills about two miles the other side of the town. The night be- fore man had fallen at his door ap- parently In dying condition Win. ters carried him into the hut and found he had been shot In the back. It was Lasalle, known to Winters as Duvolle. He was suffering agony, and thinking he was near death. confessed the story of the shooting to Winters. Winters, who had heard of my predica. ment hastened to town, to inform the authorities of the real culprit. When he heard of the hanging he rode like mad to stop 1t. As he thundered down the road and saw me swinging. he shouted and raising his rife, fired and saved my life
 "I was brought back to jail, to be kept there until the truth of Winters story could be proved. A deputatlon, among which was a doctor, was sent with Winters, and Lasalle's ante-mor, tenn statement was taken. After an examination, however, the doctor told Winters that the wound was not a ia tai one, and that the man would re- cover. A gleam from LaSalle's eyes warned the doctor that the conversa- ton had been overheard so he caution ed Winters to be careful lest Lasalle should make an effort to escape. Win ters laughed and said he guessed he could hold his own against a wounded man.
 That afternoon I was released. When the miners heard that Lasalle would recover they vowed vengeance. party started out the next morning at sunrise to take him from Winters cabin and hang him to the nearest tree.
 When they arrived there they found Winters lying on the floor dead. A bullet hole in the back of his head told the tale. Winters rife and La salle were both gone. It was marvel ous how he escaped, wounded as he was: but I suppose desperation aided him.
 Did he leave no trace:" I asked
 Darlington paused.
 "No,' he replied. Jack Holmes, though. who played with us. was in Canada a few years ago. I met him last summer. He told me he could have sworn he saw Lasale once for a moment in a crowded street in To- ronto."
 "Who keeps the grave here in such good condition"
 q do"'
 "Youf"
 "Yes, Clarke. I loved her"
 He was silent for a moment and then went on
 "Ies, I loved her. I have been &C., cused of lack of ambition because I have refused New York engagements. But what is ambition when there is no one to share it's rewards with you? 1 prefer to play out here where I once played with her As go over the old circuit I am reminded of her, and tha is my happiness"
 I grasped his hand in sympathy and We rose to depart. As we started to our feet We noticed man kneellng It the foot of Alice Payne's grave. Sud denly he took pistol from his pocket. raised it to his head and fred He fell face downward on the grave.
 We rushed to him. Darlington reach cd him first and raised him. As he did so he cried
 My God! it's Armande Lasalle."
 He was dead.-Waverley Magazine.
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