Year: 1877

selected a number of bands, and paid fol
them from a chau-o.s-skin purse filled
with gold pieces. which he took from hi
bosom. The Colonels eye glittered a
it fell upon il and his manner changed
percetibly.


Are you going on to Conflict HI
asked, as the peddler returned the emp
tied gourd which Mrs Antoine had of
J erred him filled with water, and stoop-
ed to take up his pack. Yes well
so am I, and I'll walk along with you
You look tired; just sling your. pacl
across Sarsaparilla. 1 don't mind
tramp with pleasant companion"
| Mrs Antoine looked frightened. Suci
condescension on the part of the Colone
was, to say the least, unusual portent-
ious.


The next day the little Sabbath-schoo
of which Squire May had been the orig
inator, and which held its meeting il
the log school-house two miles away
met at his house for celebration. 1t wa,
a pleasant sight, the children about 4;
tablecloth spread upon the grass, OF
which the foud was laid in picnic fash
ion. AS soon US the children were help
ed the Squire disappeared, and vhile.ht
was gone report of pistol was heard
He returned in course of an hour to say
that swing was ready, and Gus Antoine
remained for some time longer tossing
the little ones in the air.


On his way home, as his foot touched
the little bridege which he had bull
across the Wild Cat for the convenience
of the two families, Gus eye was caught
by an object in the ravine below. II
was his father, lying half in and half out
of the water, with his face covered with
blood. Quick as thought he swung him.
self down to his side. There was deep
round, terrible hole in his forehead,
from which the blood had flowed that
formed this hideous mask, and he was
quite dead. The boy tried to lift him
out of the water, but finding that impos
sible he washed away every trace of
blood from the face-no one else should
see his father look like that-and 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 assistance.


The funeral followed soon after. AS
Squire May was on his way to attend it
a Sheriff seized him by the shoulder and
arrested him for the murder. Fright
ened Hope ran with the news to her
mother, and even meath this crushing
blow the heroic woman did not finch
1t was her arm that supported the hys
terical mother 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 Oft
she was no less positive as to 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 stiflingly hot the court room was;
packed to its utmost with an intensely
excited audience. and still they came
along after Hope was certain that there
was not room for another one. She had
never seen SO many people before, and,
looking around upon them from her seat
in the upper part of the room, saw only
q sea of heads. She was conscious of but
one individual face, that of her father,
pale, but calm, in front of the swaying
mass. By and by the lawyers COM
menced talking. She felt faint; it all
buzed and hummed through her head;
she could not have told word that they
were saying. After what seemed to her
u long while the witnesses for the prose
cution we're called, and Big Bill took the
stand. He related the quarrel between
the Colonel and Squire May at the polls,
enlarging upon it and running on in a
way that showed him entirely too willing
a 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 honse?'


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


aHow do you know it was twelve
o'clock


Because dinner had just been placed
upon the table,


do you always have dinner at exactly
noon?"


No, but as he left the door l heard
the whistle at Gatling's saw-mill"


"Why did he leave the house just as
dinner was ready"


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


That is sufficient" and the attorney
next called Master Gus Antoine" Gus
came forward reluctantly, with an ap-
pealing glance toward Hope, as though
he were asking he 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: "Yes, sir" :"


"Was the prisoner with You through
out the whole day?''


mo, 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 Gatling's." !"


did you hear anything else remarka
BILE soon after this and before the return
of the prisoner


The boys face famed scarlet and white
in streaks and patches, as though ne had
been struck with a whip Of thongs, but
he answered bravely: Yes, sir, / heard
a pistol shot"


How do you know that it was not a
sbof from this carhinp5r