ir counsel prevailed, and the bridge was decided upon as the place of
execution.

Bill Kellar, assisted by Hunch, had told Henry Myers, who had recently
been elected constable, and the constantly increasing crowd, the history
of the search for Gill, and how at last Blind Benner had discovered him.
For a conclusion to the narration, the dwarf gave a graphic description
of as much as he had witnessed of the scene when Lizzi learned of Gill's
perfidy and refused to be party to a second marriage ceremony with him.

"Yer orter be hung, damn yer!" Henry Myers fairly yelled, as he shook
his fist in Gill's face.

"There's no telling but he fired the store fer ter kill hisself,
forgettin' us poor folks thet might hev starved."

This suggestion of a burly teamster became as it passed from lip to lip
an assertion, and violently-excited men surrounded Gill, charging him
with incendiarism and daring him to deny the accusation. He was very
white, but cool and quiet, neither defying them nor asking mercy at
their hands. A grim sort of submission was expressed by his face as he
stood against the wall of the little room and waited for a decision of
the mob as to his punishment. When at last it was resolved to lynch him
he betrayed no fear, and the crowd, awed by his calmness, became sullen.
Loud tones gave place to surly growls that indicated inflexible
determination to perform an act of justice that should both be a
vengeance on the culprit--for not a man was present who had not fully
convinced himself that Gill had set fire to the store--and a warning to
all incendiaries of the fate that would be theirs if they should be so
unfortunate as to be captured. A rope was procured, and a noose made in
it, which was thrown over Gill's neck. Then he was led away to the
execution.

* * * * *

Blind Benner had coughed almost incessantly from the time he went to
bed, and at last in desperation rose. Dressing himself he sat down in a
chair near the kitchen stove, in which the fire still smouldered. The
change of posture gave him relief, and he fell asleep. The tread of the
men passing the Block with Gill aroused him. Listening to the heavy,
regular footfalls, and not hearing a voice, he feared he was dreaming.
Creeping to the door, he opened it. The cold air rushing in started his
cough and convinced him that he was awake. Struggling for a moment with
the cough, he overcame it, and, impelled by a vague alarm, w