Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-07-02

dence by a long shot. This feiier's
been infatuated with my daughter all
the spring. / caught him two or three
times hanging around and hiding In
bushes to see her. She tried every
way to get shet of him. for she vas
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 If you
now, and / can't control 'em much
longer"
But, gentlemen" ~interposed Allen
Farthing, IN word"
mo, sir; not a single word" bel
lowed the Squire. You'll have time
enough to testify all you know at the
proper time. Here, take him away,
Sheriff" The handouts clicked on
Jim's wrists.
Here, Hal" the sheriff shouted inn
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
he saddle. His face was pale, but he
sat erect and cool. He tried several
ihiCC w Sptdht Dul llSy Cut llllIl OIL
brutally.
Then something In the crowd caught
his eye; he started violently; but no
one else noticed 1t. His father stood
keen and defan close to the horse,
his face like an Indians. Impulsively
he laid his hand on his sons arm.
TITS all right, Jimmy, Don't lose
your nerve. Remember, whatever hap
pens, Tom and mother and / are right
with you, and Wen fight EN- till we
drop, every n 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, wait" 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. l rode with him down
Gum run
"Why-why, Rose, you-'
Yes, did. 1t was all arranged. 1
went UP to my room AND stole down
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 ak
or think.
Yes, sir; l did" A low murmur
swept over the crowd. She Strengthened
up at the sound of 1t and faced them
almost with defiance in her eyes. II
tell you he never did it.: he was with
me-
"But-but, Rose, why did you drive
with him? And Town Gum Run-at
10 o'clock? / can't believe 1t, Rose"
1t was as If 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." Her
face was pale with bright spots in the
cheeks: nervous tension was evident in
every feature and movement. 1t was
magniicent-the lone woman amid the
rough crowd of men, defending her
lover and confessing publicly her love.
Jim's heart e Smotheringly; his
impulse was to leap from his horse and
stand beside her, protecting and shell
tering her. He wrenched nightly at
the handouts, but they held.
The sheriff had edged along until he
stood at the girls elbow.
Say, look here" he spoke sharply,
what are you riding at night for with
a Teller like this Farthing, when you
were engaged to marry Karl Keich-
line?"
II was not engaged to marry Karl
Keichline." She turned to him with a
look of scorn. What's more, I never
should have been. / hated him."
"Ah! then let me ask you ques-
ton: You and Jim both hated this
man, and had a reason to AVE him out
of the way before June 1. Do you know
anything about his death?' He peered
up into her face, and her manner
changed instantly.
fore one, and the murder, you say, was
at one"
Answer my question" he insisted
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. Did
you do anything either directly or in
directly toward bringing it about?"
"Oh, don't ~please-don't," she cried
n~ervously. Then she Strengthened sud
denly. "Jim's perfectly innocent and I
know Ii. He didn't have the slightest
thing to do about It,"
Sheriff. ordered the squire sharply,
''let the prisoner go. / withdraw all
charges. My daughters testimony is
sufficient
but, Squire Hartswick, It's not law
full: / can't
II say let her co. roared the man.
I'm satisfied. LIE him go; do you
hear? And, Rose, you go into the house
this instant The sheriff wavered a
moment and then unlocked the hand
cuffs. 1t was not safe for an officer
in that region to oppose the old squire
IL he had ambitions for reelection.
(Contiaued Next Weekl
Has Big Fishing Record.
From the New York Telegram.