The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-08

in the center of the floor. This person was
a tall awkward, but strOng-featured man OF
at least sixty years bearing about his person
marks of hardship and a certain conscious
ness of inherent command. Taking off his
old, battered felt hat, he ran his fingers
through q shock Of gray hair and said sol
EMMY:
''Parson, we've reckoned as how you must
be pretty squar' sort of chap" The listener
bowed wonderingly al the compliment Eye
see, the last of your breed what was here
kinder played ON the boys, and so they was
sorter layin' for the next cuss that cum along
ter git even. They met up to my house on
old Badly, and then / Civ EN- the story about
your stoppin' the stage and lickin jim
Skaggs and [ told 'em as how you was goln
to stay right here, providn' ye wanted ter
and the boys sorter chimed in with me, as
they generally does when old Tim. Cheswick
SEES so"
The speaker paused again, and Gordon
bent his head trying to understand how that
pleasant-faced, delicate girl could be the
daughter of this rough ole man. and then
looked at MIN with more in crest in his eyes
because OF the very strange association.
AN them" continued the orator, slowly,
tive thought that bein' as how you'd heard OF
our threats and such like we'd just come
down here tonight and set your mind easy,
like. So, parson will We licker?"
Gordon politely begged to be excused, and
Cheswick went on as if never interrupted.
"All right, pardner, stick to yer colors.
like ter see man doe that always, and no
harm done, but, if you'll kindly excuse US,
we will" and at the word the entire compa-
ny charged the bar with considerable enthu-
siasm. When, much later that night, they
parted from each other, Frederick Gordon
felt that he had succeeded in making some
personal friends among the rough men who
defended Bald mountain, aud he sank to
sleep more hopeful for the future.
o1-a do &,lo Lana
in it's telling? Sunday after Sunday passed
away, and on them all in succession the lit
tie church in the valley gathered its small
congregation together into closer and grow
ing communion. The weeks glided lmper-
ceptiblY into months, and the circle OF the
minister's friendship seemed to widen with
the suns. The organist. whose bright eyes
and sweet voice aided so much, was not for
gotten for the others who came later, and
many a sunny afternoon did she find COM
pany in the long walks up the winding road
and in them Gordon not only learned to read
his heart Alright, but to forget her surround
ings and to see his future in her every word
and deed, and to paint it the brighter by
every flush that brigh tened her clear cheeks
There the word of love was spoken in the
twilight of the hills, and the two lives blend
ed in their hopes and fears into one current
of love eternal.
Thus it was when, one afternoon late in
the fall, Gordon climbed slowly up that road
alone which led by the Cheswick cottage.
He went forward with slow steps, and with
heart made heavy by forebOding, for he
knew we'll that old Tim Cheswick had never
fully trusted him, had always despised his
profession, and ranked it lower even than
his own precarious mode of life, and yet he
now goes to ask of him the greatest gift of
all-the one thing left the old man-his
daughter. The dark, weather-beaten house
looked doubly lonesome and neglected that
Il -fa thn and
with old Tim himself, to perfect the PICTURE
leaning against its outer door and lazily
smoking his pipe. cur dog beside him
barks savagely as the intruder advances up
the path toward them. The master looks
carelessly up and says sulkily:
Good day, parson."
Gordon nodded his reply, and immediate
ly intimated his desire for private inter
view. With slight lifting of his massive
shoulders and a questioning glance at him
from under his shaggy eyebrows, Cheswick
led the way into the kitchen. The matter
was soon concisely stated and at the close
as the reverend gentleman paused doubtfully
for reply Tim brought his great clenched
hand down with a crash upon the table and
exclaimed vehementy:
"Parson, I've always reckoned you a
squar' man. but want you to understand
that my gal don't marry no preacher You
hear that It's every word I've got to say,
and if that be all yer want, We can co..
Gordon rose to his feet at the harsh words
with a flush of anger reddcning each cheek,
and for a moment the men stood there in
the little low kitchen, looking with hot eyes
into each others faces. Then, with an effort
the feeling was conquered by strong will,
and the younger, without trust
ing himself to speak word
turned to the open door, and, never glancing
back, went out into the sunshine. As he
stepped into the barren yard. destitute of
care or flowers, he felt half in dream and
unconscious of surroundings, but in that
moment his dull eyes saw something down
the mountain that brought back all his fac
ulties with a sudden shock moment he
looked downward earnestly, and then Sprang
back into the room.
"The revenue officers" he cried excitedly.
They will be here inside of five minutes.
You must act quickly."
For once 4 his wild life old Tom Cheswck
was completely taken off his guard, and Cor
don was quick to see his condition of help
lessness.
"Get into the bushes" he said rapidly. 81
will keep them back until you spread the
alarm
DO you mean it, Parson?' Tim asked,
scarcely crediting his own ears
Yes every word. Come, move quick! 1t
is for her sake and not yours"
81 understand that" Cheswick found time
to retort, and then STOPPING low ran to the
low bushes in whose close thckets he disap-
peared. Gordon, with little sigh of pain,
walked apparently unconcerned into the
dooryard and waited for the swift-approach-
ing end In his heart for an instant there
ragged a fierce conflict between the demands
of duty and love; but love proved the
stronger and conquered. There was scarcely
a sound as he waited; yet the man felt that
Bellies eyes were upon him from some crevice
in the old house, and that Cheswick, speed
ing away, would soon indeed call Bald noun
tain again to arms. Then came the swift adj
vance of the party below, first the sound of
the horses hoofs shifting the finty rock, then
a jingling of their accoutrements, and close
following the body OF horsemen, riding COM
pactly together, swept around the edge of
the high bank, and. turning into the little