Year: 1877

soon as the children were helped the
Squire disappeared, and while he was
gone report OF pistol was heard. He
returned ia the course of an hour TO say
that a swing was ready, and Gus Antoine
remained for some time longer tossing
the little ones into the air.


On his way home, as mis- feet touched
the little bridge which he had built across
the Wild Cat for the convenience of thc
two families, Gus's eye was caught by an
object in the ravine below. 1t wac his
fsther, lying half in and half out OF the
water, with his lace covered with blood.
Quick as thought he swung himself down
to his side. There was a deep, round,
terrible hole in his forehead, from which
the blood had flowed that formed this
hdeous mask, aud he was quito dead.
The boy tried 10 lit him on, OF the water,
but finding that impossible, he washed
away every trace OF blood lsom the face
no one else should see his father look
like that-aud then he went on toward
home for help. The MissouriAns had
nearly all gone, but Big Bill. cousin OF
Mrs. Antoine's, had remained after the
election, and was just bidding her good
by, and remained now TO render assist
ance.


The funeral followed soon after. As
Squire May was on his way to attend it
sheriff seized him by the shoulder, and
arrested him for the murder. Frightened
Hope ran with the news TO her mother,
and even beneath this crushing blow the
heroic woman did not finch. L. was her
arm that supported the hysterical widow
as they stood together at the brink of the
terrible grave, and it was Gus Antoine
who comforted sobbing Hope, saying
that he knew her father had not killed
his, and it would so be proven. When
Mrs. Antoine heard of it she was no less
positive as 10 the Squire innocence, and
her tears fell like rain over her black
bombazine dress which she was making
over for Hope to wear at the trial.


How stihingly hot the courtroom was,
packed to its utmost with an intensely
excited audience, and still they came
long after Hope was certain that there
Sha had
never seen so many people before, and
looking around upon them from her seat
in the upper part OF the room, saw only
sea OF heads. She was conscious oil
but one individual lace. that OF her faith
er, pale, but calm in front OF the swaying
mass. By and by the lawyers commenced
talking. She felt faint; it al buzzed
and hummed through her head; she
could not have told a word that they
were saying. Alter what seemed TO her
long while the witnesses for the prose-
cu,ion were called, and Big Bill took the
stand. He related the quarrel between
the Colonel and Squire May at the polls,
eularging upon it and running on in -
way that showed him entirely too willing
witness. Then the widow Antoine was
sworn. She trembled violently, and
nothing could be got from her except by
questions.


What time was it when your husband
left the house ?"


Twelve o'clock" came in a frightened
gasp from behind the black veil.


"How do you know it was twelve
O'Clock ?"


because dinner had just been placed
upon :he table,"


"Do you always have dinner at exactly
noon ?"


NO, but as he left the door heard the
whistle at Gatling's sawmill."


why did he leave the house just as
dinner was ready2"


"He was angry because the boys were
not at home. and said he would 60 down
to the bridge and call them"


That is sufficient said the attorney
next calling Master Gus Antoine" Gus
came forward reluctantly, with an ap-
pealiny glance toward Hope. as though
he were asking her forgiveness before
hand for what he was about to say; then
he looked in the same way toward Squire
May, who answered his glance BY an
encouraging nod OF the head.


"Did you attend the picnic at the house
OF the prisoner ?"


Gus swallowed hard, pulled his Jacket
down strongly, and replied, Eyes, sir.


WAS the prisoner with you through
out the whole day ?"


"No, sir"


"At what time did he leave your


"At twelve O'clock"


How do you know it was twelve
O'Clock ?"


IL heard the whistle at Sam Gatlings.


Did you hear anything else remarka-
bile soon after this and before the return
of the prisoner ?"


The boys face famed scarlet and white
iu streaks and patches, as though he had
been struck with whip OF thongs. but
he answered bravely, "Yes. sir, l heard
pistol shot"


How do you know that it was not a