Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-06-08

raise 1t there was q sudden movemes,
back of him. The man in the door
way turned sharply.
WHAT" he cried to his wife. "You
would. you"
At that instant the boy was con-
scious OF sudden flash of light and a
sharp defamation. The room was
filled with noise, a little cloud Of
smoke blew downon him. Standing with
his own pistol butt clasped tight in his
hand, he saw the man in the doorway
reel. The arm that held his weapon
dropped to his side. With a convul-
sive movement he pulled the trigger
The bullet buried itself in the floor.
while the man sank down on his
knees, swayed a moment, frightful
look in his eyes. and then pitched for
ward on his face and lay still.
Good God!" whispered the boy
turning to his companion, you've shot
him!"
He stared, at the woman, who still
clasped the littls silver. mounted
weapon she had used with such ter
rible effect.
1T was his life, or your life or
NINE" was the answer. Il did 1t for
you." she said quickly. seeing look
of horror and repulsion spreading over
the face Of her companion.
"Yes-yes! / know" he replied;
but
Come, we must get out of here
Immediately"
"Of course. of course" whispered
the boy nervously. I'VE can't stay here
now"
Drag him into the room and shut
the door!"
The lad hesitated.
Are you afraid?" sneered the
woman. making as II to do so herself
Certainly not" was the answer;
but the boy nevertheless was afraid
afraid Of death, with more fear than
he had ever felt for any one living
Yet something had to be done and at
once.
Forcing himself to the task at last,
he stopped down, seized the man by
the shoulders, turned him over on his
face. and dragged him farther into the
room. Then he shut the door. The
two stared a moment at the PROSTATE
figure.
He's not dead yet" said the boy
slowly.
No; but be soon will be-" The
uNp,an cta1vad nvyar apd ,,rh,,ffnnaJ
the mans coat and waistcoat "There!"
she said. pointing to CHASTITY hole
Il struck him fair In the breast
Would to God it'd been In his black
heart!" she added. Don't you see
that we must go now and quick?
Come. we can't delay any longer"
"rll take the blame on myself II
we're caught" said the boy. 1T was
my fault and you saved my life
That's noble Of you returned the
woman indifferently; but we won't be
caught"
well, then. I'll save your reputa-
ton before CO." continued the other
quixotically.
There were a few tattered books on
the shelf. He took one down. tore
out the fiyleaf. drew a pencil from
his pocket. scrubbed on 1t few
words. signed 1t, held 1t to the woman
to read, laid the leaf down on the
body of the dying man. and then
turned to the door. He opened 1t. and
the woman followed him out into the
| night.
The room was very still. Except
for the long. slow. faint. and fainter
breathing of the man. there was not
sound within the howell.
Death lowered over him the long
night through. The morning found
him still alive. yet barely breathing.
He was trembling on the eternal
verge later In the day when men seek
ing him burst into the room. They
found the letter of confession still
lying where it had been placed. They
revived the man sufficiently by slim
ulants to enable him to speak preg-
nant word or two before his lips
closed forever.
The confession, the bullet that had
kllieu uliu, lue empty iesoiFci, anu
the mans last words. solemnly attest
ed by those present. were carefully
preserved by the leader of them all
They might be useful some day; who
knew? For the rest it was evident
what had happened. The boy and the
woman were gone from the camp. No
search was made for them: none was
possible. The blizzard had spent It.
self by that time; but the prairie was
covered deep with drifted snow. A
period of intense cold supervened. 1t
was hardly within human possibility
that the two fugitives could have got
safely away. They must be buried
somewhere to the southwark in the
vast drifts. Spring might reveal their
fate, 1t might remain forever secret.
So far as the denizens Of the country
were concerned. the tragedy--one of
the numberless ones of the frontier
was over. In day or two it was for
gotten.
Cro BE coNTINUED)
n .SoasSp. G. 70 Ane