The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-05-30

over the little town.
A seorchng north wind swept
the dust down the dreary
streets. and sent II swlrllng round the
corners with a gritty swish, and 4
friction that seemed to generate a
thousand electric sparks and prickles.
4 group of four loitered on the cor
uer. talking with unusual interest.
"lfs too blamed bad that express had
10 be ten hours late last night of all
times" growlcd one. They'd a been
clear away 10y this time, but now"
"Oh. pshaw." struck IN girls
lighter voice, "Jim amt 'spected It'll to-
morrow. nohow, and the train'll be in
in an hour. DONE croak"
The others laughed uncertainty, and
the uneasiness deepened rs the first
speaker contluued,unmoved.
That's all right! But she amt here
vet. and I'd hate like cold piZen to be
the man who'd married Jim Tyler's
girl-Td hate it like cold pizen l tell
you-ef there wuz any chance O. my
havln' to stay on the same side o this
yere ball as Jim, afterward-that's
allr'
"Oh. Jim won't do nuthln'! She could
always wrap him round her little fin
ger. anyhow. Say. wasn't ii mighty
slick Nv her, to hev two strings to her
bow all the time, and never let on,
till the other fellow turned up last
night? Though what she kin see in
that little dood drummer after six
foot scorcher like jim, beats me, y
drawled the girl.
"Well. look a-here, young woman,
don't let us hev eny o. that sickness
round hereabouts," began her COM
panion, threatingly, tor" his voice
broke as man on horseback clattered
around the corner and swept toward
them.
by the Lord Harry" he breathed
"Its Jim--Jlm Tyler. The Lord help
her-nOww
The four stood motionless rs the
man dashed by. with gay wave OF
the arm in salute.
Two block down the street he threw
mis- horse back on its launches before
a battered little cottage, and flinging
himself from the saddle, threw open
the front door without the formalty
of knock, then stopped on the thresh
old as If struck by thunderbolt.
A man, of the flashy drummer type
sat in chair facing him, and perched
on his knee was a girl-her hands II
bic nc cha 1ouUhino,Iu l,oIoncod her
self, with her lips just beyond hi:
reach.
For tense moment the silence held
Then the face of the husband turned
yellow-white with fear, and following
his eyes, the laughter froze on her lips
and deadly terror blanched he
pretty, silly face.
The man in the door stood motion
less.
"Get up!" he said.
She tried a laugh of bravado, whlcl
choked in her throat. but the drumme
put her from him. and advanced
step, holding out shaking, eXpostulat
ing hands.
The man measured him with a coll
contempt that cut like knife.
'I'll settle with you. later" he SAID
and turned TO the girl.
WHO is this fellow?"
She thought with frenzied rapidit
for second, weighing and balancln
chances. He blocked the only dool
Time was what she wanted-time 70
help to come.
jim" she wailed-"Jim-I loved 20
you know I loved you-but the
threatened--they said"
"Who is this fellow?" he repeated
with the same deadly quiet
"Jlm-listen-I couldn't help it'll
has more money. you know, and the
made me-oh, Jim-dear--"
WHO is this fellowi" he asked.
"He-oh, Jim--forgive me-he's m
my husband-we were married lai
m-listen-" her voice ros
to a Shrek
The man plunged forward. revolvt
in hand, toward his successful riva
who squealed with terror. but the gi
threw herself between them, an
clutched his arm in frenzled grasp.
Listen, Jlm-llsten! Oh. God don
hurt him! Listen-I couldn't help II
i couldn'tl You know | love you," 81
lied; "Ive always loved you" 81
threw both arms about him with
sudden strength that checked and he
him. He struggled with her. his co
rage rising to mad, unreasonng fur
with the lies. her touch, the bafii,
desire of the man. Freeing one arr
he brought down the heavy revoly
sull in her upturned face.
AT the thud of the steel on flesh. Il
drummer, uttering a Shrek of will
animal terror, fed past them into Il
street and on--on-still shrieking, in
voice that held no human sound, un
lie stumbled and fell, dazed al
stunned, In the dust.
In the other man, the lust Of kill
woke, and he struck, deliberate
again and again, until the shrleks we
stilled. the last frantic grasp ga
way somehow, and he stood looki
down at the silent heap on the fio
and struggling with an insane des
20 kick It and trample on it.
HE laughed the instinct of slaughi