Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-01-12

It happened that at first Highamsor
saw neither of US, SO that the first in
timation that he had Of our presence
was November's "Hellor'
Down crashed the lantern, and its
bearer started back with a quick
hOarse gasp.
who's there?" he cried. who
"Them as is sent by Hal Lyon"
Never have seen words produce &c
tremendous an effect.
Highams0n gave below Of fury
and the next instant he and November
were struggling together.
| I sprang to my companions aid, and
even then 1t was no easy task for the
two Of us to master the powerful old
man. AS we held him down caught
my first sight of his ash gray. face
His mouth grinned open, and there
was terrible intention in his staring
eyes. But all changed as he recOg
nized his visitor.
November! November JOe" cried he.
"Get upw And as Highamson rose
to his feet, "Whatever- for did you do
it?" asked November in his quiet voice.
But now its Quietness carried a men,
ace.
"Do what? I didn't-I"- Higham-
son paused, and there was something
unquestionably fine about the old man
as he added: "No, I won't lie. It's
true l shot Hal Lyon. And what's
more If 1t was to do again I'd do 1t
again. It's the best deed ever done.
Yes, say that, though l know it's
written in the book, who so sheddeth
mans blood, by man shall his blood
be she'd"
"why did you do it," repeated No
vember.
Highamson gave him look.
"I'll tell you. l did 1t for my little
Janey's sake. He was her husband.
See here! I'll tell you why l shot Hal
Lyon. Along of the first week Of last
month went away back into the
woods trapping muskrats. was gone
more'n the month, and the day come
back / went over to see Janey. Hal
Lyon weren't there. II he had been /
shouldn't never "a needed to travel so
far to get even with him. But that's
neither here nor there. He'd gone to
his bear traps above Big Tree. But the
night before he left he'd got in one Of
his QuarreIs with my Janey. HIT her,
he did. There was one tooth gone
where his-f1st fell"
Never have seen such fury as burn
ed in the old mans eyes as he groaned
out the last words.
"Janey, that had the prettiest face
for fifty miles around. She tried to
hide 1t from me-she didn't want me
to know. But there was her poor face
all swole and black and blue and the
gap among her white teeth. Bit by bit
! It all came out. 1t weren't the first
time Lyon d took his hands to her, no,
nor the third nor the fourth. There on
the spot as l looked at her made up
my mind I'd 90 after him. and I'd
make him promise me, aye, swear to
me on the Holy Book, never to lay
hand on her again. II he wouldn't
swear I'd put him where his hands
couldn't reach her. found him camp
ed away up alongside a backwater
near his traps, and told him I'D seen
Janey and that he must swear He
wouldn't. He said he'd learn her to
tell on him. He'd smash her In the
mouth again. Then he lay down and
slep'. / wonder now he weren't afraid
of me, but suppose that was along OF
me being a quiet, God fearing chap.
Hour by hour lay awake. and then
couldn't stand 1t no more. and l got
up and pulled bit Of candle l hau
from my pack, fixed up candlestick
and looked in my Bible for guidance.
And the words lit on were Thou
shalt break them with rod Of IRON
That was the gun clear enough. Then
I blew out the light. and l think
slep', for l dreamed.
"Next morning Lyon was up early.
He had two or three green skins that
he'd took Off the day before. and he
said he was going straight home to
smash Janey. l lay there, and l said
nothing, black nor white. His judg
ment was set / knew he couldn't
make all the distance In one day. and
I was pretty sure he'd camp at Big
Tree. arrived there just after him
as I could travel faster by canoe than
him walking. and so KEEP near him al
day. 1t was nigh sunset. and / bent
down under the bank so he couldn I
see me. He went into the old shack
I called out his name. heard him
cursing at my voice, and when he
showed his face shot him dead.
never landed; never left no tracks.
thought was safe, sure. You've tool
me: yet only for Janey's sake
wouldn't care. l did right, but she
won't like them to say her fathers
murderer. That's ALL"
November sat on the edge OF TIT
table. His handsome face was grave
Nothing more was said for goot
while. Then HighamsOn stood up.
"rm ready, November, but you'll le
me see Janey again before you giv'
me over to the police"
November looked him in the eyes
Expect you'll see good deal o
Janey yet. She'll be lonesome owe
there now that her brute husband,
gone. She'll want you to live VIII
her." he said.
"D'ye mean
November nodded. III the polio
can catch you for themselves, let EN-
and you'd lessen the chance of that
wonderful deal If you was to bur-
them moose shank moccasions your
wearing. When did you kill you
mOose?"
tuesdays week. And my moe
casins was wore out, so l fixed 'em u
woods fashion"
"I know. The hair on 'em Is Sill
ping. found some Of 1t In you
tracks in the camp. away above 81
Tree. That's how l knew you'd kille
moose. l found your candlestic
too. Here 1t is." He took from III
pocket the little piece Of spruce stici
which had puzzled me so much. an
turned toward me.
This ends sharp to stick into tn
earth: that ends slit, and you fix tn
a y LII vSaV. I'm