New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-13
Continued Prom pdge 4

maze tlldJ SlDfy Wy, i|'''' W ,,
down casy-or else YOU were seem things.
"No. Sir" protested Kelsey stoutly. Il
seen her rs plain in the freight as | see you
now. She was young woman. as purity as
n pict,,rc. dressed in low-cut gown, with
a string Of pearls around her neck and kind
Of a crown on her head. And she was laugh.
ing. couldn't sleep last night for thinkin
about that laugh when it wou'1 have been
more natural for her to cry; and when the
guns began to crack this morning left my
horses in the furrow to ride over here and
tell you about her had 10. "Tain't right
to fire on that house with an innocent woman
in it."
"You saw the Queen Of the May or some
other fairy.' answered the Sheriff mock
ingly. "Run back to your pillow, Danny,
take a pill on retiring tonight, and by morn
ing you'll be yourself again
Nevertheless his mind had lcapcd back
to Christmas Eve and Jaff's Christmas box,
and after Kelsey had gone he began to nib
bic his stubby red mustachc. II there really
was woman in Jaf's cabin, it would make
a mighty unpleasant newspaper story-for
himself. He turned ncrvOusly at the snap
ping at "A twig behind him.
@Wc've got him. cried Cal Botstord.
AT least he's out in front Of his cabin way
ing white handkerchief.
aThank Godi' exclaimed Bates fcrvently.
He lcapcd to his feet. felt in his hip
pocket to make sure Of his bracelets and
started up the slope, with Botstord IN his
wake.
JAFF. standing n front Of his battered
) castle, presented a ptiabc sight. The
80. 3Os had evidently done considerable
rimmagng around inside. One bloody
bandagc cncirclcd his head and another his
right wrist; his left leg was tied round with
a handkerchief above his knee; hands ana
face were as black as miners from pow
der stains and hair and whiskcrs were
sngcd.
@You can have the girl now-what'S
left Of her." said he with simple pathoS, a
mere hint OF tragedy.
Enigmatical as the words were TO Cal
Botsford. sudden sweat beaded the Sher-
ifs brow, and his hand came out Of his
pocket without the steel cuffs. Mouonlng
Botsford to wait outside, he followed Jaff in.
The floor was ankle deep with plaster,
broken glass, spllntcrs, scraps Of wall paper,
and exploded shells But what cnchainel
the ShcriT's eyes was a bed in the corner
upon which Young woman lay, clothed
much a, Kelsey had described her. Her
eyes were shut. her face dcaihly white, and
one temple was crossed with trckIc Of
blood.
Dead" whispered Bates, from dry
throat.
Diving. answered Jaff calmly.
Bate jumped 10 the door. "Doc Free
man quick" said he thickly to BotSford.
Hes at Kamschultc's, dressing Bob's
shoulder. Tell him it's matter OF life or
death. But don't mention this gal yet
for there is a girl. And tell the boys, he
added, at sight Of the ingathcring deputies,
"to keep outside.
He turned back into the room. Jaff,
occupying a chair from which one arm and
hall the back had been shot away, motioncd
him toward another one in scarcely better
repair.
HID her well for nigh onto twenty
years, said Jaff like man rcsumlng
story. Her mother in Heaven will bless
me for that. Only one man i'll this country
ever seen her. That was the minister that
buried her mother | realized aftcrward it
was a mistake to let him see her, and cor
rcctcd it by having him out here the next
year to bury Ruby. OF course he didn't
bury her: only a box with some stones in 1t.
yet always felt it in my bones that