Year: 1879

|
temptation of saying farewell, and be-
side, | wanted to hear from your own
lips of the events which occurred the
other night"


He gave her truthful account of the
affray, and, while exonerating himself
from blame, tried to excuse her father,
saying


Black Bill was more at fault than
your father. He hates you both, and
will destroy you If he can. My darling,
wish 1t was in my power to take you
out of this life and away from such
scenes. Unfortunately / cannot just
yet. So we must trust and love each
other while looking forward to brighter
days"


They walked along the road so per-
fectly happy in each others society that
they forgot the flight of time, until sud-
denly startled by rustic in the bushes
near them, and before either could speak
a whirring sound was heard, then the
report of pistol broke upon the still
ness of the night


Elliot uttered cry of pain, placed
his band over his breast, staggered a
few steps forward, and fell to the earth,
blood squirting from the wound he had
received. Mary stood motionless, gaz-
ing at the PROSTATE form before her. A
deadly faintness came over, and she
dropped at his side.


When she awoke to consciousness she
looked around. Where was Elliot p
Surely she had seen him fall dead at her
feet. Was 1t her father she had seen
peering out from among the bushes just
before she faintedp She could not tell.
1t all appeared like horrible dream.


She turned her steps homeward, where
the shadow of a fearful crime seemed to
follow her, and entered the house, in
which deathlike stiffness reigned.-
When passing the door of her fathers
room, she saw him lying on the bed
sound asleep


The next morning she was awakened
by hearing a confused mingling of
voices, but could not tell what they
were talking about. She arose and
went to the door to listen. Some one
said


"There is no use in talking, Joe
Knight, Elliot Burnett is missing. You
threatened him, and the report of a mus
ket was heard near here last night. No
doubt he has been murdered, and suspi-
cion points strongly toward you. If
you can clear yourself from the charge,
so much the better; but we will keep
you in irons until you do it,"


Mary's blood seemed to curdle in her
veins, and her heart almost ceased beat
ing as these words reached her ears, and
an agonized cry she could not repress
burst from her lips.


"That was Mary's voice." said one of
the men. "Bring her here; perhaps
she knows something about it,"


AS quick as lightning the thought
came to her that she must not tell what
she knew. If Elliot was indeed dead,
the sacrifice of her father would not re-
store him to life; and even if 1t would,
could she desert her fatherY No; she
must defend him in every possible
way, for who else would do it ? Would
not every mans hand be turned against
him now? While thus thinking, one
of one of the men came to seek her, say
ing:


" Mary, your father is in trouble, and
you are wanted in the next ROOM"


She followed the man to the room,
where her father sat, his hands and feet
firmly pinioned with ropes. His head
was bowed on his chest. He raised his
eyes, gave one rapid glance at her face,
which told him she did not believe in
his guilt, or If she did she would never
acknowledge it TO his enemies. She
went quietly upto him, and putting her
arms around his neck, said:


Do not be. troubled, father. 1t will
all come out right. Submit to these
men; they are only doing their duty"


One of the party, who acted as spokes'
man for the rest, said, in respectful
tones


'Miss Mary, If you know anything
about this affair which will tend to clear
your father, you had better tell it now
for the men are much excited over the
disappearance of Burnett, and you know
the cool heads cannot always control
them. will do all can to protect your