The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1909-07-01

dence by a long shot. This feiier.s
been infatuated with my daughter all
the spring. I caught him two or three
times hanging around n hiding IN
bushes to see her. She tried every
way to get shet OF him, for h was
going to marry Karl on the 18th OF this
month. She was going to give him
the final answer today. Don't you see
how timely this making away Of Karl
was for this feller's schemes? There's
not a single link missing, not one Now,
sheriff, you'd better take him right
down TO jail as quick's you possibly
can. There may be trouble II you
now, and I can't control 'em much
longer"
But, gentlemen i~nterposed Allen
Farthing, one word
mo, sir; not a single word" bel
lowed the Squire. You'll have Tins
proper time. Here, take him away.
Sheriff" The handouts clicked on
Jim's wrists. 1m
Here, Hal" the sheriff shouted i'm
portantly, "let the prisoner have your
horse. I'll see that you get another
all right. Here, sir, this way, Fall in.
men," Two deputies helped Jim into
sat erect and cool He tried several
times to speak, but they cut him off
brutally.
Then something in the crowd caught
his " he started violently; but no
one else noticed it. His father stood
keen and defiant close to h horse,
his face like al Indians. Impulsively
he laid his hand on his sons arm.
It's all right, Jimmy. Don't lose
| your nerve. Remember, whatever hap
pens, Tom and mother and I are right
with you, and well fight 'em till we
drop, every one of us. There's a mis-
take somewhere, but it's coming out
all right. Goodbye Jimmy" There
was a tear In the cold eye, but the man
stood erect and alert.
Fall In ordered the sheriff again
in military voice.
Then the unlocked for happened,
No one but Jim had noticed a fem
mime figure on the borders of the
crowd. When they first saw her she
was standing close by the squire with
her hand on his arm.
Father, watt she was saying
eagerly. Every one turned at the voice,
and a hush fell instantly.
''Jim didn't do it. He was out last
night with me. Ifrode with himpdown
Gum rum"
"Why-why, Rose, you
Eyes, I did. 1t was all arranged. I
went UP to my room n stole dcwn
the back stairs. Jim wouldn't tell be-
cause he wouldn't bring my name in.
If you arrest him, then you arrest me-
You went with him?" gasped the
old man, too surprised to act or talk
or think.
yes, sir: I did A low murmur
swept over the crowd. She Strengthened
UP at the sound of IL and faced them
almost with defiance in her eyes. u
tell you he did 1t: he was with
me-"
with him? And down Gum Run-at
10 o'clock? / cant believe 1t, Rose
1t was as IL the old man was think
ing aloud.
because 1t was impossible for him
to ride with me at any other time
you've been so harsh with him." Hel
face vas pale with bright spots in tho
cheeks; tension was evident In
every feature and movement. IT was
magnihcent-the lone woman amid IN
rough crowd of men, defending hel
lover and confessing publicly her love
Jim's heart beat smotheringly; his
impulse was to leap from his horse anC
stand beside her, protecting and shell,
tering her. He wrenched nightly a
the handouts, but they held.
The sheriff had edged along until III
stood at the girls elbow.
Say, look here he spoke sharply
what are you riding at right for will
a Teller like this Farthing, when yol
were engaged to marry Karl Keich
line?"
II was not engaged to marry Kar
Keichline." She turned to him with
look Of scorn. Whats more, I never
should have been. I hated him."
"Ahl then let me ask you n ques
ton: You and Jim both hated Thu
man. and had a reason to have him on
of the way before June l. Do you know
.-.x&bta~ a In.uk hio daafh 7bg u IYa na0raf
up into her face, and her name
changed Instantly.
"Why-why, no. We were back be
fore one, and the murder, you say, wa
committed at one"
Answer my question:" he insiste'
harshly. did you suspect anything
was going to happen when you started
out with Jim? Did you have anything
to do with his death? Answer me. Dit
YOU do anything either directly or In
directly toward bringing It aboutf'
''Oh, don't p~lease-don't," she criet
n~ervously. Then h Strengthened sud
denly. ''Jim's perfectly innocent and
know IL. He didn't have the slightes
thing 10 do about It,"
Sheriff. ordered the squire sharply
''let the prisoner go. I withdraw a.
charges. My daughters testimony !
sufficient"
"But, Squire Hartswick, it's not law
full; ] can't
"I saw let her CO." roared the mar
I'm satisfied. Let him go; do yo
hear? And, Rose, you go into the hous
this Instant The sheriff wavered
moment and hon unlocked the hand
cuffs. 1t was not safe for an office
in that region to oppose the old SOUR
I, IL he had ambitions for reelection.
tc~ontiHued Next Weekl
: Has Bio Fishing Record.