Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-01-18


expressed their opinions Of him.
u aIIus knew thru was somthin'
about the sheriff he didn't want folks
10 know remarked wool" Parson,
q wonidn't like to meet the sheriff
tonight If I was that ar other fei-
lere put IN Jim TraYers, who had
Dot spoken before.
Sheriff Caldwell is a a. good fell
Ier, broke out Bill with whom the
sheriff was particular favorite.
Thar amt better'n him this side o.
tile steteD
q reckon you're ABOUT right, Bill"
admitted Jdd." Hes been here some
where roun fifteen years and the first
kick agln' him has got to come. That
minds me too, he was talkin' about
that ar cuss they took up for murder
In the squire Do any Of you fellers
know anything about him?"
Il was thar when they took Linn"
said Jim Travers, "and you folks all
what's tryin, to blow inter us hat he
know him He's that dandified chap
come out here for his health, When
know right well he come out here to
git away from the law"
ooh. he's a bunco steerer all right"
remark. d Wool
Il never liked the fellow myself"
declared Bill Wonder what the sher-
If will do to him
ooh. CaIdwe1's all right, he'll give
i'm fair chance, but I believe in mo
own mind that Henry Lyons is the
man who killed the squire" said Jud.
WAL, they've got I'm now" growl-
ed Wool" "and its up to them to
find out whether he's guilty or not"
After he left the saloon, Sheriff Cald
well plodded his way to the Jail, think
ing of the story he had told and NUT
tering to himself more than once.
Frank Herndley, you can thank
God that you do not cross my path
tonight
All his pent UP hatred against the
man who had robbed him of every
thing that life held dearest, seemed to
break loose within him tonight and
he clenched mis- fists more than once
as he thought of the man who had
ruined his life
When he entered the Jail and asked
for the prisoner, the warden looked
at him in surprise, wondering what
had, occurred to arouse the angry
light in the eyes of the man who was
usually so mild and gentle.
Frightened at his manner the ward
en- assured him that Henry Lyons
was asleep,
"Ill see him in the morning" said
the sheriff, and. then turned on his
heel and left the warden staring af-
ter him.
That night the sheriff conducted an
investigation and made inquiries that
removed every doubt of Henry lyons
guilt from his mind.
Early the next morning, he sought
the prisoner. All his anger and pas
sion Of the night before was over
come; he was himself agin--cool, col
lected gentle, self-possessed, an Off
Ger of the law and justice, bent upon
giving the suspected man every chance
to clear himself of the charge of
which he was accused.
A slant ray Of sunlight pierced its
way through the iron barred window
and fell upon the prisoners face.
Sheriff Caldwell started back in
horror He leaned against the wall
and stared at the accused man. He
had TO restrain himself that he did
not rush upon him and choke him to
death. fer in the man before him,
lch in the dreary cell. he rec
ogrized the destroyer of his happi-
ness.
But Immediately he recalled his
duty-he was there to try the man for
the murder of Squire Beldon, not be-
cause he had led his wife to her doom.
Henry Lyons" he said coldly, in
measured tones, you are accused OF
the murder of Squire Belden, clear
Yourself If Won can"
"Who are your" asked the prisoner,
glanciug at the white-headed man.
Il am the sheriff of Jordan Valley"
was the answer,
The prisoner looked at him again.
He did not recognize the man whose
life he had wrecked. He brought
fourth vain excuses, one after another
and the sheriff listened in silence.
But the struggle was too much for
the man who traced long years of msi-