"
"Just Heaven, why did he do it?"
The country officer regarded the beautiful speaker keenly.
"So it was you who met this man, this outlaw, outside, Miss Alstine?"
She made no reply, but stood with clasped hands gazing into vacancy, the
very picture of woe and despair.
"Miss Alstine, I demand an explanation," uttered the sheriff, sternly, at
the same time taking her arm and shaking her sharply.
"Sir, I--I cannot explain."
"We'll see about that. Who was the man you were talking with ten minutes
ago, in front of this building?"
"A gentleman." "His name."
"I cannot give it."
"You will not, you mean."
She was silent.
He shook her slender frame furiously.
"Girl, you cannot deceive me; the man you countenanced so unblushingly
was August Bordine, the murderer!"
He hissed his words out hotly, and seemed ready to crush her with his
wrath.
"Please take your hand from my shoulder, sir," said Rose, in a tone so
calm and chilling as to surprise the over-zealous official.
He did not obey.
She transfixed him with her eyes and said:
"Mr. Sheriff, you have no right to insult a lady as you are doing, and I
shall see that you are reported.
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