The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-04-11

white. and the expression of his eyes was that of hopeless and helpless pain.
 Mrs Shirley opeced the letter with trembling fingers. and read:
 DEAR PARENTS: Forgive me for what do teddy, but cannot marry Mark Hadley, and l promised to become the wife of Charles Rhea over year ago. l met him while l was at school in Lebanon, but never told you, for knew of the ill-will father bore him and ali his family. We knew that it was useless 10 ask your permission. If father had not aid that l mus, marry Hadley I never would have deserted you. But do not blame him for it, for l knew that he was acting for ihe best Oh, father, mother, l forgive me! l have been so unhappy. You can never know how unhappy have been. But Wht ther you will forgive me or not. [ 1 will ever be, your loving JANEY.
 "She went over to Mis- CArey's j'st alter you left, an bout sundown Mls' Carey's Sam fetched me this letter."
 Shirley sat in dull, dumb stupor till the little brass bell of the clock tolled of the hour of nine. Then, throwing back his head suddenly, and lifting both his arms in the air, he broke forth in hiss ing and hasky voice:
 My curse upon her Elf she ever darkens my door ag'in I'll spurn her from my threshoP as I'd spurn snake i
 "Oh, no, no, nop' cried Mrs Shirley, throwing her arms around the old man and pressing kiss after kiss upon his face "Oh. Henry don't, don't talk that'n way. Yo'll kill meAyoll kill yer poor ole wife, ef yo' talk ,hat'n wayl Oh, Henry don't-dont
 mean hit-f mean hitl She's not wuth thought from yo', mother-not a thought. She loves the son of the m an who murdered our boy better'n she loves mine. She's dead to me from this night out, an ef yo' ever enter her house yo'll leave my h'arth forever W
 Mark Hadley sat in his door, at Win dow Cliffs, talking with Uncle Dave Darby. of the mill.
 Hadley was a short, stout man of fifty, with bulging brow and weak, hollow jaws His features were pronounced and repul- sive; his complexion furrowed and red his eyes were small, keen and snapped emphatically his hair was thln, lank was smoothly shaved, and he wore long heavy beard, which he petted perpetually with his short, thick, plebeian fingers when he laughed he displayed double row of large, yellowish, uneven teeth i; he was dressed like the country dandy that he was, in black broadcloth, wi h mas sive fob and chain, red necktie and a big bunch of roses in his buttonhole.
 "An' yo' say thet Charlie Rhea's ben a buyin' uv Rick Rally?" said Darby.
 "Yes"
 "He didn't know t he was wildcat. ter, dessay2'
 "Shol s'picioped Rhea for some time uv a eellin' fer the Weltches, an when the Weltches was rummlxed up, l lowed I'd test him. So, went to his store, ap. while l wus thar l remarked thet whisky had rig. Yes says he. Then sort O tipped him wink like, an tole him thet Tally was sellin' power ful cheap, an where he held forth. tole him. an he sed he'd order few bar'ls O Tally; an he did an tole ole man Shirley; an 'twixt us we writ letter to the dep'ty re. hue man hintin' thet thar wus rats in Rhea's store, yo' know-ha {! ha hap
 Darby took on disgusted look.
 "Pears 10 me zif you'd ben layin' a trap fer Rhea. Ei you'd serve me that'n way I'd pound the breath O life out'n yo'."
 Hadley laughed low, derisive laugh. "Wall, Uncle Dave, if he's inherent he won't suff.r, an' if he isn {, he oughter war the stripes spell"
 "Yo' know he's innercent. Yo's list a lettin' yer old grudge git away with yo' {, an' yo' want ter mortify him by hevin' him rested. He's mighty high-feelin' boy, Charlie is, an ef he's rested hit Il p'ison his hui, fife fer him, no matter ef he's turned loose nix minute"
 "Wall, he oughter hev his comb cut apu'tin' on his airs round the res O we'uns an a.purtendin' t the yearth isn't good enough fer him ter walk on."
 "Charlie's gentleman, every inch an grain O him." said Darby, with feeling, |" His brides the kinder pride like ter see, an ef a passel more O the young buds 'roun' yarr d spend thar time with books an papers instid O gambin' an' goloshin', hit'd be the better fer the kentry," and with that he took his leave.
 Mir. and Mrs. Rhea sat in their cosy little c.ttage on the banks of the Calf Killer. Through the open windows were visible the towering and tree-crowned heights of the Cumberland, while the harvest 6elIs were swimming in the sun shine far below.
 Three horsemen rode up the pike to the front gate and pulled rein. They led fourth horse by the bridle. One of the men, tall, brawny, bewhiskered fellow, leaped from the saddle, walked to the door and rapped vigorously with his whip.
 Rhea replied to the summons.
 Your name is Rhea, 1 believer"
 "Yes, sir"
 "You are my prisoner. Hold out your hands"
 "Your prisoner For what?"
 "Selling for moonshiners. Hold out your hands. Therel" There was a click of steel handcuffs.
 Mrs Rhea ran out on the gallery.
 "What is the matter, Charlie2" she I | f II.