The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-09-30

liked the simple little daughter of ths
parson.
i don't believe she did It." one man
had said to his friend. and the opinion
spread II II had not been for the
ueacon, and Judson's willingness to
smirch his own daughters honor from
tne pulpit, the simple people would
harshly with Hugh Lee But the des-
con was the most prominent man In
sown. and 1t would hardly do to 20
AGAINST his wishes. And Judson. who
have been told something more than
the rest OF them knew
Dont be talked over by q girl, boys.
IAN you see she's lying7 She has made
! al up TO save her partner in SIM"
Lee, with a wild shout OF rage, would
nave hung himself on the deacon At the
yleness OF the thing he implied, but
mere We're half dozen men who sprans
between one and numbers
Inc deacon turned to Lee once more,
ana Ieiriy lung the words at him, The
,oea or the man was to have his fol-
entirely fair. He wanted in the presencs
OF everyone present to offer Lee his freea
uom III he would leave the country, but
he was perfectly confident that the man
, Vas too proud TO go. leaving a bad rspu-
you've got your choice" he snaried,
do you take IL or leave it7'
| Lee looked him in the eye as before
| and shook his head.
| II haven't done anything that should
| ieave. refuse" he answered.
For moment the two men glared into
| each others eyes and there was a con-
sclous measuring of power between
| them
| Hugh made no resistance but allowed
| them to do as they liked He was seat
Cd on a horse and his hands tied behind
! MIN. Ruth knew what they were going
to do. They were going TO hang him:
\ There was no further need OF an appeal
| to her father. IL she still believed, u
she SIN had any OF the remnants Of her
simple faith. she could pray.
They had stopped under a giant tree
with massive branches, and were Rrue
! somely preparing Hugh for the banging
He was to be left sitting on his horse.
and at a given signal Judson was to hit
the horse heavily with a whip.
Judson, carried away by a fanatical
belief that he was doing right. looked
| about nervously for Ruth. An eleventh
hour conscience had made him little
doubtful. and In the light of the farinG
| torches he met the girls eyes full.
| They were the eyes OF a stranger. GOLD.
| and without feeling.
A storm was brewing. and the air was
close and breathless. Suddenly there
came blare of lightning across the un-
natural black of the sky, followed by n
rumbling defamation OF thunder. The
deacon. with a final motion. gave the
signal. Judson cut the horse sharply
with the whip and the frightened ami
NAL sprang forward. At the same mo-
ment Tom Judson sprong into the light
ed circle. almost fsinting with the EFFORT
he had made.
STOP he shouted. at took the
money: he is Innocent" The words
were screamed above the sound OF the
storm that swept down over the valley.
For barely a second Hugh Lees body
swung free from the giant limb. and
then with a sickenink crash yellow
bolt OF lightning smote the branch. cut
ting II clearly from the trunk and hurl-
ing the doomed man to the ground }
For a moment there was only tho
sound OF the kissing torches az the rain
put out the lights and the sweep and
toss of the storm. Then Hugh Lee
dragged himself to his knees and began
TO move over toward the silent figure
of the girl. His hands were still tied
behind him so that he could not touch
her, but her arms closed about his neck
as she lifted her wet face to his.
TT was a sign. dear" she murnursd.
Sweetheart" he whispered, IT be-
lieve!"
" THE END.