Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1918-01-03
UNFINISHED TRIAL
BY JOSEPH LAuGHLIN.

\ "to hNItls
the redbush country, carrying the news
that Marion Marie was captured.
While the sun was still yellow and
lusterless through the morning haze,
and before II had reached over into
the draws and hollows of-the clay hills,
The men of the neghborhood were In
the saddle and the story of the taking
of Marion Marie the night before was
on their lips. They were riding in
groups and in pairs and some were rid
ing sngIy, but MI their paths were
convergins toward Squire Yantleys
sawmill.
Along the winding ronds Bill Ticket
was pressing hard his tired horses into
1 hard gallon. He was the president
IF the Anti-Iiorse Thief association
md he was spreading the news of the
capture and that was notice to the
members of the association that he
wanted them at the trial, which was to
De held at the snwmll.
"Takcs men to handle ropes when
we got boss thieves about" he said.
But the friends OF Marion Mnrze
were among those who were riding
over the yellow clay knob on the east
aud came euiloping across the bottom
on the west, ana came out on the
oridle paths that led from the other
directions To the mill. Word had gone
'ut 10 them, also, In the night from
Hex Tickets house. Nan Tclket had
Jared to love this man over whose
head hung the OGious charge Of horse
stealing.
None of the men was thoughtless
enough to come to the trial unarmed.
The mill shed. which served as the
courtroom, was crowded. Squire Yant-
ley was nervous. johnny Moore, the
sheriff, and his deputy, Dave Mnypum,
SIT with their backs to the wall, re-
volvcr in each hand with their pris-
1ner between them. Some men IN the
room were taller, some were broader
IF shoulder, but none was as handsome
in face and figure as Marie.
II amt never tried no hossthlef
cases." said Squire Tantlcy, but If
yell just keep good order guess we'll
get along all right" And he leaned over
to Sheriff Moore for advice us to meth
dds Of procedure, Then he called upon
the prisoner to enter his plea.
~ amt guilty." said Alurze, as he
stood erect and tossed back his hair.
"Well, who is?' demanded the
squire.
There's the hossthief," he cried,
pointing with his arm outstretched,
"Bill Telkct stole the mare"
Bill Telke. sprang to his feet. The
nssemblase was suddenly in motion.
Backward and forward and sldewise,
it swuyed ominously.
A murmur arose In the rear of the
room. The crowd parted, making a
path through Its center, till girl
rushed into the open space where the
prisoner stood in the attitude Of de-
lance, facing Bill Telkct. She pulled
from her head blue sunbonnet,
whose edges dropped and half hid her
face.
"Nan, what brings you here?" cried
Bill Telket.
II come teh save man that new
err"
Itch save hossthief?"
"Iou-ch my brother, Bill, ZEN I love
veh, 'cn l come teh stop yeh from
Sny!n' in court tibet Marion Mares
hossthief. Squire. Marion amt no
hOssthief. He never stole the murr!"
well, who did steal 'er, Nun?"
asked the court.
''Don' ask me, squire; can't tell
yeh, but Marion didn't"
"Ef you dom tell, Nan, we'll hef ,eh,
penitenshy m"
"Yeh CANT; yeh CANT! They'se
men here tibet won't let yeh!"
Here, Nan, theyse enough o. that"
said Bill Telket fercely, as he seized
his sister by the wrist and drew her
rudely back.
She turned on her brother and he
shrunk from the flashing of her d,.rk
eyes. She released her wrist from his
grip. A half-subdued roar went up
from the crowd and it moved forward
A man in the front rank was holding
up n revolver. The girl sprang Mt him
and snatched the weapon with such
suddenness that she had wrenched 1t
from him before he could tighten his
strong fingers on its handle. Quicker
than the men were thinking she was
at the side Of the prisoner.
"Here, Marion" she whispered, plac-
ing the revolver in his hand. "lun
FUR 1t. Fight yer way out. Yer boss
is ut the crlck."
While she held up her face to him
he bent his head and kissed her. Then
with a ringing yell he leaped straight
ut the crowd, which opened pathway
Tor him and then closed in behind him.
As he sprang cut n pistol was fired.
Savage yells were raised and a fusil.
!ade of shots rang and the crowd be-
:ame tangled, seethine mass.
Along the tortuous and forest-shel-
Sered course of Muscle Ford creek Ma
zion Marie was riding fast by the time
he SnprifTS had yOt ont Of the baitlinp