The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-07-03


Yes. the preacher can come here
Father don't talk, en- grandmother don
go nowhere. Miriam replied. intuitivel!
divining IA reservation Of doubt and eau
ton under the phrasing of his question.
"Ab can hold his tongue. and there i
no one here who cares to hear OF me. IN
remarked. refiectively. "Ab Is shy o
strangers.
The girl laughed.
You need never fault father for tallsin
TO strangers You haven't promised
though to do good en- faithful by me-
But her lover had opened the door. ant
both went in.
"Mirry kin tie ter whomst she pleases,
her father said when Heathe. taking ad
vantage of Miriam's absence In the shed
told him of his hopes. Hits a good lee
tie gal as you'll git. en- she's smart gal
Mrry isl amt Altered o nothin' She ]
stick ter you, spite o ole Nick hisself
less YOU 90 back on her; 'twouldn't be
overly safe fur you then" and Al
chuckled, while the great quid Of tobacco
oscillated in his cheek.
She saws that she will, and | suppos'
there are people who are true and cal
be trusted, though have never had thu
good fortune to meet them, replied tn
stranger. bitter smile fitting over hi.
cOuntcnance.
"Jes' So: they be skurce, en- pow'fu
good ter come across wen a shurf EN-
pack o. Guv'menters KEN at yo' heels
The gal knows h'it--Mirry knows
she do"
You hev' mo larnin' than we-uns
doctor You mebbe want fetched ~
like we-uns, en- I'm a-gwine ter say e.
you mought think yosef better'n me en-
Mirry"--
Miriam is better than | am-that is
what thnk-and you have been my best
friend, interrupted Heathe, speaking hur
riedly. a hot Impotence, almost despera
ton, in his manner Old Alb looked pleased
Then you won't be 'shamed O Mirry
t'ain't bleeged ter hug ter the mount
fngsl'
You are my only friends There is nc
turn of luck can help me, no change what
ever that might wish to quit the noun
tains, was the deliberate assurance.
Hits all right, then | haint mucl
tried in my mind long O whur you be
foolin ur 10 Mrry's ekil to that ar
hits her lookout.
Abner relapsed into his moody enjoy
ment Of the huge cracking blaze. Grand
mother Sagsby came in, and soon dozet
over her Knitting Miriam sat on tho
hearth opposite Heathe. The firehgh
glowed over her beautiful face and th'
strong, shapely figure. Utter repose anc
the delightful warmth cOnduced to thai
half drowsy haziness and abandon OF per
feet rest The one exception was The
stranger Apparently he never rested
The watchful. listening, wide awake
look seemed never beguiled away by any
charm whatsoever Two 'or three dog,
that slept on the floor near Alb became
somewhat restless. An old hound opened
his eyes. and pushed himself nearer the
door. The movement was slight and noise
less. but Miriam sat up and noted thu
animal for an instant, then left her seal
and stepped slowly past him to the sheC
room. The dog followed her into th'
chilly starlight beyond. Then she stopped
short and observed the hound. biftini
his nose high, he shifted suspiciously anC
gave a low growl.
What is it, Miriam
The girl started lieathe was beside
her. an agony of apprehension IN his coun
tenance even as he grasped his gun ant
held it ready u fire.
"Sommut strange is around. Leader
never mistakes" she whispered creeping
closer 10 him DO you think they arr
hunting for your"
Yes. know it, They are on my tract
at last They are hunting for Inc if they
are hunting for anybody, but III never b'
taken. Miriam-neverl
Taken no. It's not many get takel
in the mountings.' was the scOrnful re
plv "Leaderll give tongue time enough
and remember the big hollow tree back o
the clearing-the rope is always there t.
let YOU down in il, she directed, in quick
low tones
Miriam he whispered, don't believe
their black story of NEEDN'T believe ii
was there saw it-but didn't do il
| never intended the worst. lcan't prove
my innocence; but solemnly tell you,
am innocent of the wOrst-the very wors
YOU will hear
Miriam laid her hand gently Oh his arr
her face grew tendeT-her voice soft
and tremulous.
Il care for you. John, whether 1t wert
true or not. Go--now; Leader sniff
lower-quite there. Leader-sommut'
closer"
The girls startled, suppressed voice be
came suddenly shrill in its terror. Heatht
sprang forward with an agile, chamoi'
like bound and vanished in the pines
The dogs inside the cabin as well as out
set up a simultaneous howl. There wa:
no doubt Of all alien presence near a
hand. Miriam rushed into the house anC
fastened the door behind her.
I'VE know he's in therel" shouted {
rough voice.
Hes therel Give him up We're a
goin to have him" chorused roughel
voices.
HITS better ter let EN- come, Mirry
He's done swung hisse'f in 'gainst now
Alb unbaTed the door, and, opening il
stepped on the threshold in cool contem
plation of the scene. Instantly revolver
was on each side Of his gray head
What be you arfter. shurfY" he asked
thruating him aside The men outside
rushed rudely past him.