American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1911-08-10

and, though he was covered and eveI
a drunken man could scarcely miss a
such range. he nevertheless drew hi
own weapon. But before he coult
raise 1t there was a sudden movemen
back Of him. The man In the door
way turned sharply.
What" he cried to his wife. "Yo,
would. you"
At that instant the boy was con
scious Of a sudden fash of light and
sharp defamation. The room wa,
filled with noise, a little cloud O
smoke blew down on him. Standing witt
his own pistol butt clasped tight In hi.
hand. he saw the man in the doorwa,
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 aoor,
while the man sank down on his
knees, swayed a moment, a 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
hint"
He stared at the woman, who still
clasped the little silver-mounted
weapon she had used with such ter.
rible effect.
1T was his life, or your life or
mine" was the answer. 81 did it for
you" she said quickly, seeing a look
of horror and repulsion spreading over
the face of her companion.
"Yes-yes! l know" he replied:
| but"
Come. We must get out of here
Immediately"
"Of course, of course" whispered
the boy n~ervously, 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 If 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 he soon will be-" The
woman stopped over and unbuttoned
the mans coat and waistcoat. 'There!"
she said. pointing to a 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 quicki
Come. we can't delay any longer"
I'll take the blame on myself II
we're caught" said the boy. st was
my fault and you saved my life"
That's noble of you" returned the
woman indifferently; but we won't be
caught"
We'll. then, I'll save your reputa.
ton before I CO." continued the other
quixotically.
There were a few tattered books on
the shelf. He took one down. tore
out the fyleaf. drew a pencil from
his pocket, scrubbed on it a few
words, signed it. held it to the woman
to read. laid the leaf down on the
body of the dying man. and then
turned to the door. He opened it, and
the oma 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
a 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 1t had been placed. They
revived the man sufficiently b. slim.
ulants to enable him to speak a preg.
nant word or two before his lips
forever.
The confession, the bullet that had
killed him. the empty revolver, and
The mans last words. solemnly attest
by those present. we're carefully
preserved by the leader of them all
They might be useful some day; who
Fol the rest 1t was evident
What had happened. The boy and the
Toman were gone from the camp. No
'earch was made for them; none was
'ossible. The blizzard had spent it.
elf by that time; but the prairie was
deep with drifted snow. A
'eriod Of intense cold s~upervened. 1t
vas hardly within human possibility
hat the two fugitivcs could have got
afely away. They must be buried
to the southwark in the /,
drifts. Spring might reveal their =,
ate. It might remain forever a secret. I
o far as the denizens of the country {
ere concerned. the tragedy-one Of /,