The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-09-09


prictor. had never affiliated with :" tho boys"
! nor had he ever lost their respect Ivy any active
opposition to their ideas. If seclusion had been
| his object he certainly was grntiilcd Novcrthc-
! less. in the darkcning shadows OF the night.
and ON lonely and unknown trail. hcsitatcd
| n little at repeating his name to n stranger OF
whom | knew 50 little. But my mysterious
companion took the matter out Of my hands.
Look var" he said. suddenly. thar amt
but ono place twixt yer and Indian Spring
whar yo can stop, and that's Syvcsters."
Iussentcd. Il little sucnly.
WELL" said the stranger quietly, and with u
slight suggestion of concerning favor on me.
1t you're pointed for syvcstcr's-why-I
don't mind s'oppu'g Ndr wW ve Its little OIL
| the rOad-ll lose some tmc-but taking IT by
and largo don't much mind
| stated. us rapidly and as strongly "a could.
that my acquaintance with Mr.. Sylvester did not
justify the Introduction OF stranger to his hos
| pitality-that ho was unlike most of the people
| herein short. that he was queer man, &c., &c.
| To my surprise my companion answered
quietly: 80. that's all right I've hcord OF him.
| III you don't feel like checking me through or
If you'd rather put G. o. d.. ON my back. why
it's all the same to me. Ill play it alone Only
you Just count mo in. Say Sylvester ali tho
| time. That's mcl'
What could | oppose to this man 5 quiet as
suranccp felt myself growing red wth anger
and nervous with embarrassment What would
the correct Sylvester say to mr2 What would
| the girls-l was n young man then. and had
won an ephrSe to their domestic circle by my
scrvc-knuwn 10y less complimentary adjective
among tho boys what would they say TO my
new acquaintanre2 Yet | certainly could not
object to his assuming all risk on his own per-
| sOual recogni1inccs, nor could resist u certain
f,.li ina Al alt ut ms m Inn
We were beginning TO descend. In the dis
lance below us already tw.nklcd the lights In
the solitary rancho Of Lone Valley. turned
to my companion. But you have forgotten
that don't even know your namc What am
10 call your
"Thcts So" he said. muslngly Now. let's
soc kcarney would bc IL good name. Its
short and easy like Thars street in Frisco
the same title. kcarncy it is."
But" began. impatcnt.y
Now you leave all that to me-" he interrupt
ed, with superb sclf-conndencc that could
not hut admire. The name amt no account.
Its the man that's responsible. III was to lay
for a man that | rcckoncd was named Jones'
and after fetched him found out on the in
quest that his real name was Smith-that
wouldn't make 10 matter. as long Us got the
man."
Tho illustration. forcllc ma II was did not
strike me as Offering a prcrossessng introduc-
ton. but We were already at the ran tho. The
barking Of dos brought Sylvester to the door
OF the pretty llttlo cottage which his taste had
adorned.
Ibricnv introduced Mr. Koarney. "Kcarncy
Will do-kcarney's good enough for me- CONF
mented the soi-tisdH Kcarney half aloud. to my
own horror and sylvcstrr's evident mystinca-
ton and then he blanlly excused himself for u
moment that he might personally supervise the
care of his own beast. When he was out of ear
shot. drew the puzzled Sylvester aside
" / have picked up-I mean have been picked
NJ on the road by a g"ntl" maniac. whose name
is not kcarncy. lie IL well armed and quotes
hi 'kons. With care. urluics "nce IN his views
on all subjects and general submission To his
commands. he may be- paHtci Doubtless the
spectacle of your helpless family. the contcm-
piation Of your daughters beauty and limo
cencc may touch his line sense OF humor and
pathos. Meanwhile, Heaven help YOU and for
give me-"
ran up stairs to tho little den that my
. ho-pituDlo host had kept always reserved
u for me in my wanierings. | fingered som,
time over my ahuiions. hearing the anguid
gcntlnmany drawl OF Sylvester tylow mingled
= with the equally cool. easy slang Of my mys.
i t'rious acquaintance. When came down tC
= tho sitting room WIS surprised. however. {,
: nnd the sclt-styled kcarnny quietly seated or
tho sofa. the gcntlr May sylvester. the " Lily %
- l. Valley, sitting with maidrnly awe an,
III otcd interest on one side OF him. while OF
: the rihM arrant lltt. her cousin Kate. wn'
Il practising IT, p.t.l IS archery OF ner eyes. will
: an excitement that seemed almost rra
" who is your deliciOusly cool lrlendY' sh'
" managed to whisper 10 me- at supper ~ | 81
% utterly dal'l and bewdcred between tn
- enrnpt Nay Sylvester vino seemed To hans
r. upon his words and tins gddy girl OF tia
Il period. vino WAS cnptyin- the battery OF he
II charms ia active rivalry upon him. q" OF cours'
T. We know his name isn't kearney. But how
' romantic. And ISN'T he perfectly lOvelyt An,
w. who Is hep"
- | replied with severe irony that | was no
., aware what foreign potenlnte was then travel
" ling mcog,'to in the Si"rras OF California bu
that when his Royal HlsAness was pleased t
, inform me-, should be glad 10 introduce hin
d properly. Until them | added fear tn
I" Acquaintance must be Morsanatic.'
! You're only jealous ol INN. She said pertly
Look at May-she IL completely fascinated
And her father too And actually. the languid
Il world-sirk, cynical Sylvester was regardin
him with bpyislI interest and enthusiasm al
1t most lncompatlblr VITA his nature. Yet | sub
mt honestly la the clear-hcadrd reason of NJ
II own sex, that could soe nothing more i
w. the man than / have already delivered to til
w. reader.
n In the middle Of an exciting story # advcn
NJ turr ol which he. 10 the already prejudice
lao miul of his far auditors. was evidently Ia
~ hero, hc stopped suddenly.
If Its only some pack train passing III
h. hrd,' ola tA' lower trail explained Sylycstc
, Go on
J.. " 1t may bo my horse is q trine onnnsy in til
49, stable, sad ihoHiioh od Kearncy;" hemn't use
m To- h0urd- anil coycrns' heaven oniy know
- what wild and delicious revelation lay in u
d statement oi this TACT. hut the gr.s looked
o. each other with checks PINK with excitement a
As A'nln,y aros and. wLAqUiet ulsence Vi Ger,
,a mony. quitta tie Table.
~ Ain thc Just lovely. said Kate. gaspinG f.
T. breath, "and 50 wly.'
r. WITTY sad tn gentle May. with just III
3, slightest trace OF doiipn'r ia her sweet voice
N "Mluy, my dear WAY don't you see that h
y: heart ls Just breaking VITA pathosf Witty. II
ii decd; way when he was epaaklu- OF that 30,
ii M"Auan woman that WIS hung, saw the teaI
~ gather IN his eyes. WITTY. inired'