New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-07-11
THE MOONSHINERS.

movements sluggish almost dilatory
and yet a chilling wind whistled
down the holes of the rotten roof
through the gaps and chinks between
the worm eaten logs; it tossed he1
brown hair, crimsoned her pretty
cheek, all unheeded. Miriam Sagsby
did not feel the northerly
gale. Her gaze fastened itself
upon the thickets oflaurel, sassafras
and creeping bramble, where a mar
row path, onlya few yards away, alb
ruptly disappeared. The spring bub-
Died out from under a huge rock, be
mnd Which ran a deep ravine where
sunlight never penetrated the great
pines, even at midday. The spot
could not have been more wildly
somber; but there was safety in
that black abyss, serviceable more
than once within Miriam's memory.
Her smile broadened into a pleased
iaugh as the tapping bushes were
pushed aside, and a man looked
'warily about him before quitting
their shelter-a man in the rough
'home-spun of a mountaineer, but
blth the handsome face, soft hands
and indescribable aspect of one used
TO ease and luxury.
cts you, DR.. Heathe!" she ex-
claimedin well feigned surprise.
"Who did you think it was ,Miriam?'
inquired DR.. Heathe, his keen. rapid
glance darling with lightning rapidity
into every dingy nook and remote
shadow. There was something pain
fully apprehensive in the Watchful
scrutiny continuallyin those restless,
suspicious eyes, as well as the firm,
half menacing hold up the rife always
carried or at hand for instant use.
Have you seen any strangers?" he
questioned.
Strangers? HoWshould I? Strang-
'ers don't come this away, onliest
they're arfter the moonshiners she
laughed
Don't they?" hesaid, withoutecho-
ing the laugh. SsThere are worse
things than free stills. !"
Last winter when I went down the
ridge to Odds Corner to school, the
guv'ment men were arfter the moon
sinners, en- they met me one evenin',
Whenst Use a-crossin' Difikil branch,
en- offered me new dress to show the
way to ole Tim Skinner's'
did you do it," and again that
sharp glance went off on it's perpetual
search for secret danger.
"Do it?" she retorted scornfully.
Do you think I'd tell Of anybody?"
Perhaps yon didn't know"
But did know she triumphant
Fly asserted. Il knew jest where the
"tstill' WaA en- I knew they were
a-goin off that night with load, but
I'd die befo' I'd tell of 'em.''
Are you as brave as that, Mir
iamg' The modulated tone became
earnest and anxious; his gaze rested
on her fine, glowing face full minute
before it Travelled away upon it's tire
aess hunt of something or some one
never absent an instant from his
mind. could you, at the peril of
your life, save men tracked like wild
besfsts?"
If 'twur father, now, I'd like to
see EN- 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 sig
nal it ever a stranger proWled the
ridge" returned Miriam; 'sbut you
amt no moonshiner?"
No, Miriam, not moonshiner;
but would you stand by me in that
way, my girl, and care what became
OF a stranger
You have been on the ridge six
months or better-you are not a
stranger, she interrupted.
No; not a stranger as these peo-
pie see it, was the half ironical re-
ply. But, Miriam, would you care
enough to marry me? / mean to
stay here in the mountains all my
life-spend my days in these pines
+ HIlOlO liz oIC VIII CfCl SCC luC.s 2DOtS
itmatter to you that / don't want
any one to see or know Of me?''
A more vigilant apprehension
gathered under the intensified sus-
pense. She had hesitated and averted
her face. The crystal surface of the
water at her feet reflected the superb
grace and manly beauty ofthis stran-
ger, SO unspeakably different from
the rugged sun hardened habitants
of ridge and hollow. The girl turned
slowly toward him.
81 know yot've got sommut to
hide FROM" she said quietly; ssbut
for all that, DR.. Heathe, you're bet
ter than | am you're quality breed,
and | am only the old moonshiner's
daughter
Hush, Mariana What does it
matter what | WASP" he broke in