The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-07

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"All right, Dave. You nun Ii.
I'll back yore play" his friend
said
They took the back tran across
the valley to tbs divide 1t was
hcrc they gave Shorty his ci:anee
10 escape. Mile. was leading the
way up the trail. with Crawford.
Shorty, and D1xe IN the order
named. Dave rode forward to cum
fer with the ownsr OF the D liar
] Any r. For tt secJuds his
back was turnel To tho squat cow
puncher.
Shorty wheeled his horse and
lung 1t wildly down the precipit-
Gus slope. Sanders after a short
chase gave up the pursuit. He
rode back to the party on the sum-
NIT,
Crowford glanced around at the
heavy chaparral. How about off
here a bit Dave7"
The younger man agreed He
turned to Miller. We're going to
hang you" he said quietly.
The pasty color OF the fat man
ebbed till his face seemed entirely
bloodless. "My God! You, would-
MT do that" he moaned
Underneath a rather scrubby
cedar Dave drew up. He glanced
1t over critically. Think It'll dor"
he asked Crawford In a voice the
prisoner could just hear.
yep. That big limb'll hold
him." the old cattleman answered
in the same low voice. Better let
HIN stay right on the horse, then
we'll lead IL OUT from under him."
Miller pleaded for his life alb
1ectedly. His blood had turned TO
water. Honest, didn't shoot
Harrigan. Why, I'm that tender
hearted l wouldn't hurt a kitten.
IL"
Crawford's face was as cold and
as hard as steel. why not?
You're murderer. You tried to
gun Dave here when the boy didn't
have a six-shooter."
The man under condemnation
could hardly speak. His throat
was dry as the desert dust below.
IL done Mr.. Sanders mean
ness. I'm sorry"
you lied about him aid sent
him to the penitentiary"
"I'll fix that. Lemme go an Ill
make that right"
How will you make It right?r
asked Crawford grimly, and the
weight Of his arm drew the rope SO
tight that Miller WINGED. Gan you
give him back the years he's LOST? %
mo, sir, no." the man whisper
ed eagerly. But l can tell how It
was-that we fired first at him.
Doble did that, an then-acciden-
tall killed Doble whilst was
shootin' at Mr.. Sanders"
"Yesstr. did it-acc'dental-
when Doble run forward In front
of me. Tha's right. I'm plumb
sorry / didn't tell the cou't 80 when
you was on trial, Mr. Sanders.
reckon l was scairt to-"
"Will YOU tell this OF yore own
free will to the sheriff down at
Malapi7" asked Crawford.
II sure will. Yessir. Mr.. Craw-
ford" The mans terror had swept
away all thought OF anything but
the present peril. His color was a
seasick green.
"1t's too late now" cut in Dave
savagely. I'VE came up about this
stage robbery. Unless he'll cleaf
that up, l vote to finish the Job, "
Maybe we'd better" agreed the
cattleman. "I'li tie the rope to the
trunk Of the. tree and you lead the
horse from under him Dave"
Miller broke down. He groyeled
"1'll tell. I'll tell all know. Dug
Doble and Shorty held up the
stage. don know who killed the
driver. They didn't say when they
come back"
when did you escpe7"
ION the way back to the peni-
Tertiary. A fellow give the deputy
sheriff drink on the train. II
was doped. When he went to sleep
l got off at the next depot. Horses
was waitin' there for u.s."
Who do you mean by us? Who
was with you?"
II dom know who he was.
Fellow said Brad steelman sent
him to fix things up for me-"
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