Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1888-07-12

ittt Ait itiAiai hfAis AtiitStisSiss 49,
is shy of strangers"
The girl laughed.
You need never fault father for
talkin' to strangers. You haven't
promised, though. to do good en-
faithful by me"-But her lover had
opened the door, and both went in.
"Mirry kin tie ter whomst she
pleases, her father said when
Heatbe, taking advantage of Mir
Jams absence in the shed, told him
of his hopes. Hits a good leetle
gal as you'll git, en- she Is smart gal,
Mirry h'ain't Altered o. nothin'
She II stick ter you, spite o ole Nick
hisself, less'n you go back on her;
'twouldn't be overly safe fur you
then" and Alb chuckled, while the
great quid of tobacco oscillated in
his cheek.
"She says that she will, and sup
pose there are people who are true
and can be trusted, though / have
never had the good fortune to meet
them, replied the stranger, a bitter
smile fitting oyerlhis eountenance.
'.Jes so; they be skurce, Ell pow full
good ter come across Wen n shuri
en- pack o. Guv'menters KEN at yo'
els. The gal knows h'it-Mirry
knows, she do.
"You hev' mo- larnin' than we
uns, doctor. You mebbe wan t
fotched up likewe-uns,en' Fun a-gwine
ter say es you mought think yo'sei
better'n me en- Mirry'-
Miriam il better than ] am-that
is what | think--and You have been
my best friend, . interrupted Heathe,
speaking hurriedly, hotimpatience,
almost desperation, in his manner.
Old Abe looked pleased.
"Then you won't be 'shamed %
Mirry ur me. whenst you luck tu'ns,
en- you h'ain't 'bleeged ter hug ter
the mpuntings?'
"You are my only friends. There
Is no turn of luck can help me, no
change whatever that | might wish
to quit the mountains" was the de-
liberate assurance.
''IIit's all right, then. L h'ain't
much tried in my mind long o whur
you be foolin'ur no. Mirry's ekil to
that ar; hits her lookout.
Abner relapsed into his moody en-
ioyment OF the huge cracking blaze
GRANDMOTHER Sagsby came in, and
soon dozed over her knitting Miriam
sat on the hearth opposite Heathe.
The freight glowed over her beautiful
face and the strong, shapely figure. Ut
ter repnse and the delightful warmth
conduced to that half drowsy hazi-
ness and abandon of perfectrest. The
one exception was the stranger. APP
parentIy henever rested. The watch
full, listening,s wide awakelook seemed
never beguiled away by any charm
whatsoever. Two or three dogs 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 noisetess, but Miriam sat
mp and noted the animal for an in
slant, then left her seat and stepped
slowly past him to the shed room.
The dog followed her into the chilly
starlight beyond. Then she stopped
short and observed the hound Lift
ing his nose high, hesniffed suspicious
~ and gave a low growl.
''What is it, Miriam"
The girl started. Heathe was be-
side her, an agony of apprehension in
his countenance even as he grasped
his gun and held it ready to fire.
"Sommut strange is around
Leader never mistakes" she whisper
ed, creeping closer to him. 'Do you
think they are hunting for your"
"Yes, know it. They are on my
track at last. They are hunting for
me if they are hunting for anybody,
but I'll never be taken, Miriam-nev-
erl''
Taken? no. It'%not many get
taken in the mountings," was the
scorffull reply. Leader'Il give ton
que time enough; and remember the
big hollow tree back of the clearing
the rope is always there to let you
down in it," she directed, in quick,
low tones.
Miriam" he whispered, don't be-
lieve their black story of me-don {
believe it. | was there--I sawit-but
] didn't do it. never intended the
worst. ! can't prove my innocence;
but | solemnly tell you, lam innocent
of the worSt-the very worst you will
hear"
Miriam laid her hand gently on his
arm-her face grew tender-her voice
soft and tremulous.
Il care for YOU John. whether it
were true or not. GO-now; Leader
shifts lower-quite there. Leader
sommut's clnseri'
The girls startled suppressed voice
became suddenly shriIl in its terror.
Heath sprang forward with an agile,
channels like bound and vanished in
the pines. The dogs inside the cabin
as we'll as out set up simultaneous
howl. There was no doubt of an
alien presence close athand. Miriam
rushed into the house and fastened
the door behind her.
I'VE know he's in there!" shouted
a rough voice.
Hes therel Give him up, We're a
goin' to have him!' chorused rough
er voices.
Hit better ter let 'em ceme, Mir
ry. He's done swung hisse'f in 'gainst
now"
"Ab unharred the door, and, open
ing it stepped on the threshold in cool
contemplation of thescene Instant
" IL revolver was on each side of his
gray head.
What be you after, shurf2" he
asked, thrusting him aside. The men
outside rushed rudely past him.
You might rs we'll give him up,
Ab," answered the sheriff; they've
tracked him out here, 'en it's 'gainst
the law ter shutter erin nal. |
don't want 'er rest neighbor The
TELLER goes by the name of Heathe.''
We've got to search the premises,
sheriff" bristled a ferret faced man.
more than usually energetic in his eff
forts.
The sheriff smiled significantly.
''Ef you kin sarch these ere prem
'ses, why jes' go ahead, Mr.. Paxton
course, sir, he dryIy responded.
1--WE followed this Heath for a
a year, aud | won't be beat now.
There's a reward out for him-,iead
or alive-so you may as well tell
where he is"
The min Paxton turned sharply
upon Miriam as he spoke.
''Heathe is not his mime neither,
miss, and I'll make it worth your
while to tell on him.