The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-06-27

which the only real thing was the stall
wart bulk of Macpherson encouraging
him forward-and then-the little shoe!
He reused himself with start, realiz-
ing that the Scotchman was answering
his question.
1T might hae been fifteen minutes
mayhap more. when we COON to her
little footprints in the snow. Then
he paused a moment and his voice
softened, I'VE found her wee slipper in
snow bank. a bit further we found
t'other one-and the snow began tae be
fecked WI draps of blood. But l
should say it was mair than half an
hour before we COON upon the lassle
hersel, lying in faint like
WAS she conscious"
''Nae, and we could ma bring her to,
so we wrappit her in oor coats and
took her back to the GUIDE WIFE
will you tell US please in what con-
dition Miss Page was when when
you-arrived at your house with herr?
Macpherson frowned at the memory
and a deeper note crept into his tones
as he said slowly:
"She was nae conscious, and her
clothes were tairn to pieces and hangln
in ribands. Such clothes as she had
on, puir laSsie! Her feeties were cut
wi the ice and the stones. and there
was Il terrible wound on her forehead
and an ill faured queer bruise on one
shoulder
WAS your wife alone in the house
when you returned?'
Nae. there was maybe half dozen
men frae the town. who had heard Of
the lassie and had COON to help the
search. They set up shout when
they saw US, and l had one Of them
fire his revolver to tell the others Miss
Page was wi u.s."
Did they show any emotion at the
sight of Miss Pages condition? asked
Langdon, and little Shudder shook
Mrs. Page, who alone of all those pres
ent knew of the tragedy to which that
emotion had led. MacPherson's
II wouldna call it emotion but there
was a GUIDE bit Of murmurin' against
those who had driven SO sweet lasSle
distractit and sent her 10 maybe her
death in the snow. The murmurin'
grew louder when they saw the hurt
and there were cries to know who had
done it. When Mr. Langdon told them.
the murmurs grew louder and finally
one of the lads cried out in loud voice.
This town has ma room for wifebeat-
ers and drunken brutes-he ought to
be hung"
A stir of excitement swept through
the courtroom, for Macpherson. with
out a gesture, with no more than
rising infection of his voice, had
brought before them a vision Of the
snowy night and the little house from
whose doorway the lamplight streamed
out, mellowing the snow to gold, and
touching with it's fingers Of light the
grim faces of that group Of men stirred
to the deep anger Of the mob at the
thought of Dan Pages brutality.
did the other men make any
threats?'
"Aye. Another one of them cried
oot, KILN is too good fer Dan Page
He should be horsewhipped out Of
town. At that, my wife COON up to
me and says, For the lassie's sake,
don't let them be tak:1' the law into
their oon hands Cr there'll be murder
done this nicht.' So l cried 'Dinna
take the matter too personal, lads
we've law and gaol in this town.
Somebody get the sheriff.
Did they heed you?"
II couldna tell at the time, because
just then a cutter comes dashin' oop
with twa men in it, and one shouts
oot, Have you found Mary Page? And
they all answers, Yes, she's found!
Then he says, I'm James Pollock-her
fance-and l have come to take her
home.'"
"Was Miss Page still unconscious?
The question came sharply. MacPher-
son shook his head.
Nae. she was conscious, and when
she heerd him she gave a cry Of No.
no, nor and dragged hersep up from
where she lay and clung to Mr.. Lang
don. At that the man Pollock pushit
by me and cried, Mary! Mary-I have
come to take you home.'"
did Miss Page answer him?'
''Nae, she just shookit her head, and
Mr.. Langdon said, Miss Page is not
going home yet But Mr.. Pollock was
sair angry and shouted, What the
devil have you got to do with 1t?
Haven't you made trouble enough?"
did Mr.. Pollock make any move to-
ward Miss Pager"
"Aye. He tookit quick step for
ward like he would carry her off, but
the guide wife stoppit him. Yell na
move the puir lassie till she is warm
and restit,' she said, and put her arms
aboot her and tookit her into the bed
room beyant. Mr.. Langdon helpit her,