iOU SB..1 11" i'.!WMM
510 THE WEST SHORE.
" I don't know," said the man, "being where that little willow run crosses the
oat all night, as I'm obleeged to be" road, an' there's a big gate there; well
Here, to Clara's astonishment, her fa- just there, some one sprang out of the
ther appeared, with outstretched hand willows, an' called out, 'Haiti' butbe
and cordial welcome. " Why, Mr. Ben- fore Fred could sense the words, the man
ton, how do you do?" fired, and Fred was shot in the head
" Quite well, sir; hope you're the killed instantly. He fell over, an' the
same," replied the new-comer, while passenger sitting on the seat with him
Clara, mortified beyond measure at her ketched him an' held him. The horses
blunder, endeavored to escape, began to run, Boon's Fred dropped the
" Come here, Callie," said Mr. Willis, reins, an' then they drove like mad, up
" My danghter Clara, Mr. Benton. You the gulch, into camp. Everybody that
must excuse her for her answer to your heard 'em comin' knew something was
rrrj nest lor supper; we have so many up. Well, that's all, except that the
tramp visitors, and we never refuse them hull camp turned out to help the sheriff
bread and milk. Clara didn't know you, an the murderer ain't found yet There
you soe, and - " is every reason to believe two of 'em was
" No more apologies," interrupted Mr. there, intendin' to rob the stage. Reckon
Inton, good-naturedly, "Hook enough the murder was sort o' unpremeditated
like a tramp, I am sure." The company's cash was expected that
" But what brought you here just night, but it didn't come. We're quite
now?" asked Mr. Willis, as he led his sure the rascals are over there in that
gnost to a seat on the piazza. basin; they've been tracked 'here and
" We were sent to guard the bridge lost their horses, an' we expect em to
to-night," said Mr. Benton. try to cross the river to-night; that's
"Employed by the railroad compa- why we are to guard the bridge. Every
ny ? " queried Mr. Willis. " I supposed bridge anywhere around is guarded."
the bridge was considered safe, but 'tis " You say we; who is with you? " in
pretty h,gh water." qaired Mr. Willis, as Clara went to the
Oh no, that isn t it," replied Mr. table to deposit her dishes.
Benton, ln bewildered surprise. "Don't "Ike Grant," replied Mr. Benton,
you know-hadn t you heard of the mur- " He's on the other side. I was to let
dor up a Jumper gulch? " him know if we could get supper hera
Murder shrieked Clara, as she If I'd known this was your place, I'd a'
topped ,n the doorway, with a plate of fetched him right along."
brea ,n one hand and a dish of fruit in Wish you had," said M, Willis,
uYJ, t "but the next best thing is to call him
les, answered Mr. Benton, turning now. I'll send Tom over."
IrtvlZ 6 8P u"Fr(1 W Tom B00n cr088ed Wdta and re-'
carried
" Friwi jii m . a gUD' J were conversing eager-
JlS o-" 0h W U i J men ateYth, ,
"He.MW i v bountiful meal Clara had provided, the? p
S M ' this " WW "f the exciting event, without
A SdSLjSLff" ''W'm preparedtocamp
i rt Ti 8 the'-ui 'or the night, at the bridge, Clar.
had yut along there, you remember, thought of nothing but the murder,