The Prescott daily news., 1908-06-06

long horseman's cloak about him. He was a man below the middle height and of a spare and active figure. His oxnression was resolute and his eyes of merry audacity.
 He rode swiftly through the village street easing his mount as he met the shoulder of the hill It was an age when the wayfarer had still to rely unon his own weapon for safety, and he knew that after nightfall such waste places must have their perils He reached the crown of the hill and nushed forward at a livelier gait.
 For man Denis O'Halloran had little fear. He had already acquired some reputation in campaigns under an alien flag. But it was superstitious age and he came of superstitious people Therefore, when pushing warily forward he rounded the spur of the hill into the full light of the moon, the spectacle which met his gaze shook his heart into his mouth and his hand to the pistol in his holster.
 On little plateau some 50 paces from the road and circled by a rising slope. stood a gallows whereon hung the body of man. The sight was familiar; by such means were the highways rightfully protected. But the corpse did not swing unattended. A few paces from the foot of the gib- bet were two figures, the one erect, wrapped in a trailing cloak, the other crouching to some labor.
 The crouching figure moved; the light gleamed on a pick as it rose. and the clicking sound came again to his ears. It was digging grave pain full and slowly. Presently it stopped, dropping the tool, and as it did so the other struck 1t so that it raised a loud vail of pain. A woman's voice, thought the traveller, and his blood stirred within him. With an oath he set spurs to his horse and galloped headlong toward them.
 The man never moved from where he stood but the woman ran toward him, crying with outstretched arms. The traveller was out of the saddle in flash and slipped an arm about her, for she seemed near to falling.
 Save me- she said, for the love of heaven
 Faith, madam, an I will be bithe to do SO" said MT. O'Halloran. He looked down at her with satisfaction. She was indeed fine woman, though not in her first youth.
 The man advanced from beneath the shadow of the corpse, dropping hls cloak as he did so The moon showed him tall and lean, with a long face and stern and melancholy ex- pression He carried himself with an air of dignity. Plainly he was of gen. tie breeding
 Tt would be well. sir, if you do not interfere in that which nowise con- cerns you,' he said sternly.
 By the blessed saints, but did ye ever hear the like." cried MT. O'Hal- loran
 perceive you are an Irishman," sneered the tall man.
 An l perceive that ye ar're an i'm pertinent scoundrel,' returned Mir. OHalloran.
 l do not desire to brawl with you, my good fellow. Let 1t suffice you that have an explanation for what l am about"
 An explanation, have ye?" cried MT . OHalloran in vast indignation. men let me tell ye that amongst lnsh gentlemen the striking iv lady admits no explanation. Sor, ye lack senulity. If l had the time I would tache ye manners with a cane"
 What are you?" said the tall man. Jacobite fugitive, cutthroat, or an lrish bogtrotter on a journey? Pray give me so much of your confidence"
 hold captains commission" re- pIed Mir. OHalloran with becoming uiehity, though in what army it is not precisely convanient fir me to mention. Does that content ye?"
 am at your service" said tho other.
 May heaven aid you" murmured the lady.
 MT U Halloran slipped off his cloak, uiew his sword and stepped forward "ith lean activity.
 me tall man was no match for nalioran and before long prick in tne shoulder made him drop his sword With an oath.
 Again, again!" screamed the woman.
 MT OHalloran paid her no atten- uon' but stepped back, lowering his point