San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-07-20

Relinquishing his gun for moment. he
drew her into his arms and kissed her ten
derby. then. with guilty start and invol-
untary glance around him. released the
girl and took up his weapon
I'm q scoundrel to ask 1t. he said,
with q forced, angry laugh, ignoring the
amending request.
"Mirryi MirryI" called 9 shrill voice
from the house.
"Oh. mel That's grandmother She'll
be arfter me In . minutel" and Miriam
hurried of up the path. Heaths followed.
easily keeping apace with her rapid steps.
Miriam, shall | inform Alb and your
grandmother" be asked you'll marry
NE when there's . preacher comes to-
Odds Corner. don't you call lit"
Yes; the preacher can como here.
Father don't talk. en- grandmother don't
20 nowhere. Miriam replied, intuitively
OWNING q reservation Of doubt and eau
ton under the phrssing Of his question
"Ab can hold his tongue, and there Is
no one here who cares to hear Of me. he
remarked. rehectively. "Ab Ii shy OF
strangers
The girl laughed
You need never fault father for talzin
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 Heathe, taking ad
vantage Of Miriam's absence In the shed.
told him Of his hopes. Hits q good lee.
tie gal as you'll git, en- she's . smart gal,
Mirry is-h'a amt Altered O nothin'. She'll
stick ter you, spite O ole Nick hisself,
less'n you 60 back on her; twouldnt be
overly safe fur you them" and Alb
chuckled while the great quid Of tobacco
oscillated in his cheek.
"She says that she will. and suppose
there are people who are true and can
be trusted. though have never had the
good fortune to meet them" replied the
stranger. bitter smile lifting over his
countenance.
"Jes so: they be skurce, en- pow'ful
good ter come across wen shurf en-
pack O. Guv'menters KEN at 20 heels
The gal knows h'it-Mirry knows.
she do"
You hev' mo- larnin' than we-uns.
doctor. You mebbe want fetched up
like we uns, en- I'm a-gwine ter say es
you mought think yo'sef bettern me en-
Mirry"-
Miriam is better than l am-that is
what think-and you have been my best
friend. interrupted Heathe, speaking bur
riedly, a hot Impotence, almost despera
ton, in his manner. Old Alb looked pleased.
Then you won't be 'shamed o Mirry
ur me, whenst you luck tu'ns, en- you
h'aint 'bleeged ter hug ter the mount
ingsG"
You are my only friends. There Is no
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. 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 enjoy
ment of the huge cracking blaze. Grand
mother 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 Utter repose and
the delightful warmth conduced to that
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 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 noise.
less, but Miriam sat up and noted the
animal for an instant, 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. Lifting
his nose high. he shifted suspiciously and
gave low growl.
What is it, Miriam?
The girl started. Heathe was beside
her. an agony of apprehension in his coun
tenance even as he g1asped his gun and
held it ready to fire.
.'Sommut strange Is around. Leader
never mistakes" she whispered, creeping
closer to him. do you think they arr
hunting for your"
Yes, know it. They are on my TRACK
at last They are hunting for me II they
are hunting for anybody. but I'll never b.
taken, Miriam-neveri"
"TakenI no. It's not many get taker
in the mountings," was the scornful re
ply "Leader'u give tongue time enough
and remember the big hollow tree back o.
the clearing-the rope is always there t.
let you down in it," she directed. In quick
| low tones.
Miriam" he whispered, don't believ,
their black story of NEEDN'T believe it
| was there saw it-but didn't do it
I never intended the worst. Ican't prove
my innocence; but solemnly tell you.
am innocent of the worst-the very worst
you will hear"