Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-07-27
THE M00NSHINERS.

bling spring house. Her expression was
alert and expectant-her movements slug.
gish. almost dilatory; and yet chilling
wind whistled down the holes Of the rot
ten roof. through long gaps and chinks
between the worm eaten logs; 1t tossed
her brown hair, crimsoned her pretty
cheek. all unheeded. Miriam Sagsby did
not feel the northerly gale Her gaze fas-
tened itself upon the thickets OF laurel,
sassafras and creeping bramble, where q
narrow path. only a few yards away, ab-
ruptly disappeared The spring bubbled
out from under huge rock, behind which
ran deep ravine where sunlight never
penetrated the great pines, even at mid
day. The spot could not have been more
wildly somber; but there was a safety in
that black abyss, serviceable more than
once within Miriam's memory. Her smile
broadened into pleased laugh as the lap
ping bushes were pushed aside. and man
looked warily about him before quitting
their shelter-a man In the rough home
spun of q mountaineer, but with the
handsome face. soft hands and indescrib-
able aspect of one used to ease and luxury.
Its you, DR.. Heathei" she exclaimed
In well feigned surprise.
who did you think It was. Miriamf"
inquired DR.. Heathe. his keen. rapid
glance dsrting with lightning rapidity
into every dingy nook and remote shadow.
There wGs something painfully apprehen-
sive in the watchful scrutiny continually
In those restless. suspicious eyes. as well
rs the firm. half menacing hold upon the
rife ALWAYS carried or at hand for instant
use. Have you seen any strangerst he
questioned.
Strangers? Bow should II Strangers
don't come this away, onliest they're arf-
ter the moonshiners," she laughed.
Don't they?' he said, without echoing
the laugh. There sre worse things than
free stills"
Last winter when went down the
ridge to Odds Corner to school, the guv'
ment men were arfter the moonshiners.
en- they met me one evenin. whenst Use
a-crossin' Diffikn branch. en- offered me
new dress to show the way to ole Tim
SINNERS
did You do it?" and again that sharp
glance went off on its perpetual search
for secret danger.
"Do it2" she retorted scornfully. "Do
you think Id tell of anybodyf"
Perhaps you didn't known
But | did know" she triumphantly
asserted. "a knew jes' where the still
was. en- knew they were a-goin' off that
night with load, but I'd die befo' I'd tell
of EN-"
Are you as brave as that, Miriamg'
The modulated tone became earnest and
anxious; his gaze rested on her fine, glow.
ing face full minute before it travelled
away upon its tireless hunt Of something
or some one never absent an instant from
his mind Gould you. at the peril of
your life. save men tracked like wild
beasts7"
If 'tw,,r father. now, I'd like to see
'em catch him while I'm about. onliest
father don't have no mo- to do with the
free stills. When he did, KEEP him safe.
en- give him the signal if ever a stranger
prowled the ridge" returned Miriam;
"but you amt no moonshiDerf"
mo. Miriam, not q moonshiner; but
would you stand by me In that way. my
girl. and care what became Of . stran.
GER
"You have been on the ridge six months
or better-you are not stranger, she
mo. not q stranger as these people see
It, !" was the half ironical reply. But.
Miriam. would you care enough to marry
met mean to stay here In the noun.
tains all my hfe-spend my days in these
pines where no one will ever see me.
Does it matter to you that l don't want
any one to see or know of me?''
more vigilant apprehension gathered
under the intensified suspense. She had
&nl - g. Tkn~
tai surface Of the water at her feet re-
dected the superb grace and manly beauty
Of this stranger. so unspeakabiy different
from the rugged sun hardened habitants
Of ridge and hollow. The girl turned
slowly toward him.
Il know you've got sommut to hide
from." she said. quietly; but for all
that. DR.. Heathe, you re better than am
you re quality bred, and / am only the
Did moonshiner's daughter"-
Hush. Miriaml What does It matter
what ! vast" he broke in passionately.
You are too good for me. Only say that
you will marry me and care for me.
scoundrel that ! am" added the man.
bitterly.
A dauntless resolution depicted itself
lpon Miriam's countenance, as she lifted
ler lustrous eyes and held his shifting
ylances by the subtle force and fire in
heir depths
"Yes. I'll marry you. en- stand by you.
by you en- help you-true en-
If | am onliest moonshiner's
laughter. I'll say it en- promise 1t. ef so
,e you're true en- faithful to me"
The harrassed tension Of Heathes coun-
enance relaxed
"You have bound yourself to stand by
ne and love me. I'll hold you to it"
81 want you to hold me to It. onliest
want you to do the same by me" she re-
,lied.
Relineuishiag his gun for amoment. he
lrew her into his arms and kissed her ten
lerly. then. with guilty start and invol-
lntayy glance around hun, released the
,irl and took UP his weapon.