Year: 1877




the very hopelessness Of the case
made him calm.


Ralph Moore, be said in voice
that betrayed nc emotion, have you
come here to waylay and murder me?


Robert Craig, replied Ralph cold
ly, still keeping tn, deadly rifle at an
aim, did you suppose you could tram
pie over me and live p


His finger was on the trigger, and
the fierce look on his face denoted that
the life he held in his hands was not
worth much now.


But surely, said Robert Craig, you
are not wicked enough to commit such
crime as | see you contemplate? |
am unarmed and at your mercy
While | do not like you, Ralph, l
never thought you capable of a cow
ardlv act. 1t would be cowardly to
shoot down an unarmed man, and you
know it. You are a good marksman,
but | am willing to fight you fairly, if
you think that mortal enmity must
necessarily exist between us.


'Bosh, Do You think | am a fool ?
Do you think can be caJoled by your
smooth talk No, I've got you, Rob-
ert Craig, and yon shal! never live to
enjoy your triumph over me, You
are now within ust five minutes of
your death. | will grant you that
time to pray-if you want to. Moth
ing can save von There is not a soul
within half a mile to hear you if yon
shonld yell. You'll be floating down
the river miles below this by morning.


Bat what do you say to being
hanged for mnrder?'


There is no witness near. 1t can
never be proved against me.


Robert Craig WAS silent. His enc
my, who plainly meant murder, stood
like a statue, with the rifle still
pointed ut his head, and watching him
like cat. There was an expression
Of savage exultation in his face, plain
ly visible in the moonlight; and Rob.
Craig saw that it was idle to think Of
asking for mercy.


Various ideas went whrling through
his brain. He thought Of running
away and trusting to flight, but he
dismissed the thought, for he could
not escape the unelring aim Of the
relentless man confronting him. He
thought Of rushing upon Ralph, and
engaging in desperate struggle for
the possession of the rifle; but he
knew that it would be hopeless. He
was twenty feet distant, and his enc
my could shoot him down before he
could reach him.


As if dividing his very thoughts,
Raj ph said, with a demoniac laugh :


oh, there's no chance for YOU =
Run which way you will, | can bring
you down before you can take three
steps. Come, to prayer! You have
only about four minutes left.


Robert Craig stood motionless, with
the same GOODNESS he had displayed
from the beginning, he said:


Raj phi More, | see that you are in
earnest !?


Certainly l am. Ha' ha You
know me well enough to know that |
did not come here for nothing


Yet you will not kill me, said Rob-
ert Craig, in a quiet firm tone. 4 can
bring an argument to bear that will
prevent you.


Pooh = retorted Ralph, co.temptu-
ously. I would like to know what
it is?


We'll, have a letter in my pocket
here


Stop exclaimed Ralph, fercely.
Keep that hand away from your
pocket. | understand your game
you have a pistol !!


No; on my honor. If I had you
could shoot before | could use it. |
think you are quick enough for that


4 suppose | am


well, will you allow me to take
letter from my pocket, or are you
afraid !?


We'll, l do not think I'm much
afraid ?


Shall I take the letter from my
pocket .