The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-08-21
CHAPTER xxx.
The VERGE Of Confession.

The verge o. SohIeSSloh.
Murphy uttered one sputtering cry
Of surprise, hinging his hand instinct
lively to his hip. but attempted no
more. Hampton's ready weapon was
thruslng its muzzle into the astound-
ed face, aud the gray eyes cleaning
along the polished barrel held the fell
low motioaless.
Hands up. Not a move, Murphy!
/ have the drop!r The voice was low.
but stern. and the old trontiersman
obeyed mechanically, although his
scanned face was fairly distorted with
rage.
SYoul Damn you'll thought l
knew-the voice"
Eyes, am here all right Rather
odd place for us to meet. isn't 1t! But,
you see. you've had the advantage all
these years: you knew whom you
we're running away from. while was
compelled to plod along in the dark.
But I've caught up just the same, II It
has been a long race"
What do ye-want me ferT The
look In the face was cunning.
Hold your hands quiet-higher.
you iOoll That's it. Now. don't play
with me. honestly didn't know for
certain did want you, Murphy, when
] first started out on this trip. /
merely suspected that might, from
some things had been told. When
somebody took the liberty Of slashing
at my back in a poker.room at Glen
caid. and drove the knife into Slavtn
BY mistake, / CHANGED to catch a
glimpse OF the hand. on the hilt and
there was scar on it About IS
years before, 1 was acting as officer Of
the guard one night at Bethune. 1t
was bright starIit night you remem-
Der, and Just as turned the corner Of
the old powder.house there came a
sudden fash, report, a sharp cry. l
sprang forward only to fall headlong
over a dead body; but in that fash |
had seen the hand grasping the re-
volyer and there was scar on the
back Of it. 4 very peculiar scar. 1t
CHANGED had the evening previous
slightly quarreled' with the officer who
was killed: ] was the only person
known to be near at the time he was
shot: certain other circumstantial evil
dence was dug up. while Slavin and
one other-no. It was not you-gave
some damaging. manufactured testi-
mony against me. AS q result was
held guilty of murder in the second
degree, dismissed from the army in
disgrace, and sentenced to ten years
imprisonment. So. you see, It was not
exactly you have been hunting.
Murphy,-it was a scar"
Murphy's face was distorted into a
hideous grin.
Il notice you bear exactly that kind
of scar, my man. and you spoke last
night as If you had some recollection
of the case"
The hooking grin e1pandedi mo
the husky voice crept a snarl Of de
fiance, for now Murphy's courage had
come back-he was fronting flesh and
blood. "Oh, stop preachin'-an' shoot
AN be damned ter ye!"
"You do me a grave injustice MUIR
ply. Your slashing at me down in
Glencaid hasn't left so much as q
sting behind. It's completely blctted
out, forgotten: haven't the slightest
desire to kill you. man; but DO want
to clear my name Of the stain Of that
crime. want you to tell the whole
truth about that nights work At Be
thule, and when You have done So
you can go. III never lay q finger on
you; you can 90 where you please
"BahI-ye amt got no proof
me Sides, the case Is closed-it ctn't
Be opened agin-by law
lyon deyiI! I'd be perfectly justi.
ned "a killing you exclaimed Hanp