Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1888-09-21
THE INCONSISTENCIES,

The g'rl closed the door of the crl,mb-
ling spring house. Her expression was
alert and @ pcctant--hur movements
sluggish, almost diato y; and vet n
chilling wind visited down the holes
oil the rotten roof, through long gaps
and chinks between the worm eaten
logs; ii tossed her brown hair, orimsoncd
her prc.ty check, all unhccded. Miriam,
SngSby did not feel the northcIly rnlo.
Her gaze fastened itself upon the
thlckcts OF laurel, sassafras and crecp.
ing bramblc, where narrow path, only
lev yards away, abruptly disappeared.
The spring dubbed out from under n
huge rock, behind which ran n decp
ravine where sunlight never penetrated
the great pines, even ut midday. The
spot could not have been more W Id Y
sombrc; but there was snfcty in that
black abyss, serviccabc more than once
within Aliriam's memory. Her smile
Droadened into pleased laugh Us the
tapping bushes were pushed aside, anc.
man looked warily about him before
quitting their shelter man in the
rough homcSpun of Il mountaincer, but
with the handsome face, soft hands and
inde>cribablc aspect of ono used to case
and luxury.
ITS you, DR.. 1Icathc!" she exclaimed
in well feigncd surprise.
"Who did you think il Was Miriam ~
inquired Dr., IIeathc, his keen. rapid
glance darting with lightning rapidity
INTO every nook and remote shadow.
There was something painfully apprc,
hehslvc III the watchful scrutiny con-
tlnually in tho,c restless, suspicious
eyes, as wei rs the firm, half menacine
hoid upon the rifle always carried or at
hand for instant use. ''llave YOU seen
any strangers." nc questioned.
"Htrangcrst How should l.. Strangers
don't come this AWAY, onllest they're
ariter the mconshiners," she laughed.
Don't they." he said, without echo
ing the laugh. "Thcrc are worse things
than free stills. Could you, at the peril
OF your life, save men tracked like wild
beastsi"
III 'twur father, now, I'd like to sec
'em catch him while Pm about. onliest
father don't have no mo- to do with the
lice stills. When he did, | ken him
sale, en- give him the signal if ever n
stranger prowled the ridge" returned
Miriam; "but you amt no moonshincr1r
NO, Miriam, not Il moonshiner: but
would you stand by me in that way. nv
girl, and care what became OF n
stianger--"
you have been on the ridge six
months or bctter-you arc not a stranger
she interrupted
NO; not stranger as these people see
IT," was the half ironical reply. "But,
Miriam, would you care enough to marry
mef l mean to stay here il tho noun
talns all my lifc-spcnd my days in
these pines where no one will ever see
me. Does it matter to you that don't
want any one to see or know of me?"
a more vigilant apprehension gathered
under the intensified suspense. She had
hesltatcd and averted her face. The
crystal surince of the water at her feet
rejected the superb grace and manly
beauty OF this stranger, so unspeakably
aillerent from the rugged hardened
inhabitants OF ridge and hollow. The
girl turned slowly toward him.
II know you've got summit to hi lie
from" she said, quietly; ''but for all
that, DIR. Heath. you're better than am
you're quality bred, and am only the
old moonshiner's daughter"
"llush, Nlriaml What does it matter
what l was2" he broke in passionatcly.
"iou are too good for me. Only say
that you will marry me and care for me,
scoundrcl that am" added the man
bitterly
A dauntless resolution depicted itself
upon Aliriam's countcnancc, rs she lifted
her lustrous eyes and held his shifting
glanccs by the subtle force and fire in
their depths.
"ic', I'll marry you, en- stand by
you, too stand by you en- help YOU
true en- faithful, if / am onlest moon
sinners daughter. I'll say it en- promise
it, CT so be you rs true eu' faithful to
me-"
The harassed tension of Heathe's coun-
tcnance relaxed.
The girl laughed, and Hcathe opened
the door and went in.
"Mirry kin tie ter whomst she pleases. -
her father said, when Hcathe, taking adj
vantage of Miriam's absence in the she'd.
told him of his hopes. ''Hit's n good
leetlc gal as you'll git, en- she's smart
gal, Mary is-h'ain't Altered o. nothin'.
She'll stick ter you, spite DOLE Nick his
self, lessn you go back on her; 'twouldn't
be overly safe fur you then" and Alb
'A'iS VIZ S3iOdC uuiu VI IODuC-
CO oscillated in his cheek.
Abner relaps. d into his moody enjoy.
ment of the huge cracking blaze. Grand,
mother Sagsby came in, and soon dozed
over her knitting. Miriam came in and
sat on the hearth opposite Heathe. Tho
freight glowed over her beautiful face
and the strong, sharely figure. Utter
repose and the delightful warmth con
duced to that half drowsy ha ,iness and
abandon of perfect rest. The one exccp.
ton was the stranger. Apparently he
mover rested. The watchfuI, listening.
wide awake look seemed never beguiled
by any charm whatsoever. Two or three
dogs that slept on the floor near Alb be-
came somewhat restless. An old hound
opened his eyes and pushed himself
nearer the door. The movement was
slight and noiseless, but Miriam sat MN
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 AID observed tho
hound. Lifting his nose high, he shifted
suspiciously and gave low growl,
"What is it, Miriam"