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

bling spring house. Her expression was
alert and expectant-her movements slug
gish, almost dilatory; and yet chilling
wind whistled down the holes Of the rot
ten roof. through long gaps and chinks
between the worm eaten logs; It tossed
her brown hair. crimsoned her pretty
cheek, all unheeded Miriam Sagsby did
not feel the northerly gale. Her gaze fas
tened itself upon the thickets of laurel,
sassafras and creeping bramble, where
narrow path. only q few yards away, alb
ruptly disappeared The spring bubbled
out from under huge rock. behind which
ran a deep ravine where sunlight never
penetrated the great pines. even at mid
day 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 pleased laugh as the lap.
ping bushes were pushed aside, and man
looked warily about him before quitting
their Shelters man in the rough home
spun of q mountaineer, but with the
handsome face, soft hands and indescrib,
able aspect Of one used to ease and luxury:
in we'll feigned surprise.
no ulu you tlfilh IL Was, VIII iah'
inquired Dr. Heathe. his keen, rapid
glance darting with lightning rapidity
into every dingy nook and remote shadow.
There was something painfully apprehen.
sive in the watchful scrutiny continually
III those restless. suspicious eyes. as well
as the firm. half menacing hold upon the
rife always carried or at hand for instant
use, Have you seen any strangers" he
questioned
'.Strangerss How should n Strangers
don't come this away, onliest they're art
ter the moonshiners. she laughed.
Don't theyp" he said. without echoing
the laugh. There are worse things than
free stills.
Last winter when went down the
ridge to Odds Corner to school. the guv'-
ment men were arfter the moonshiners,
en- they met me one evenin. whenst Use
a-crossin Diffikil branch. en- offered me a
new dress to show the way to ole Tim
SINNERS
did you do it," and again that sharp
glance went off oU its perpetual search
for secret danger.
do itf" she retorted scornful' do
you think I'd tell of anybody
Perhaps you didn't know7"
= But | did know" she triumphantly
asserted. Il knew jes where the still
was en- knew they were a-goin off that
night with load. but I'd die befo' Id tell
of EN-"
Are you as brave as that, Miriam"
The modulated tone became earnest and
anxious; his gaze rested on her fine. glow
ing face full minute before 1t travelled
away upon it's tireless hunt of something
or some one never absent an instant from
his mind Gould you, at the peril of
your life. save men tracked like wild
beastsr'
If 'twur father. now. I'd like to see
em catch him while I'm about. onliest
father don't have no mo- to do with the
free stills When be did, | KEEP him safe,
en- give him the signal il ever stranger
prowled the ridge. returned Miriam
but you amt no moonshiner2"
No. Miriam. not a moonshiner; but
would you stand by ME in that way. my
girl, and care what became Of q stran
GER ...' vs.. ... e..
You have been on the ridge six months
or better-you are not stranger. she
interrupted
mo; not stranger as these people see
1t" was the half ironical reply But
Miriam. would you care enough to marry
met | mean to stay here In the noun
,ains all my life-spend my days in these
pines where no one will ever see me
Doee 1t matter to you that don't want
any one to see or know of met"
4 more vigilant apprehension gathered
under the intensified suspense. She had
hesitated and averted her face. The crys
tai surface of the water at her feet re-
dected the superb grace and manly beauty
Of this stranger, SO unspeakably different
from the rugged sun hardened habitants
of ridge and hollow. The girl turned
slowly toward him. ..--.-.
81 know you've got sommut to hide
FROM" she said. quietly; but for all
that. DR. Heathe, you're better than | am
you're quality bred. and am only the
old moonshiner's daughter
Hush. Miriaml What does it matter
what | vast" he broke In passionately
You are too good for me- Only say that
you will marry me and care for me
scoundrel that am."' added the man
A dauntless resolution depleted itsel
upon Miriam's countenance, as she lifted
her lustrous eyes and held his shifting
chances by the subtle force and fire II
their depths. n 5II.
"Yes, III marry you, en- stand by you
too-stand by you en- help you-true en-
faithful, II Il am onIiest INCONSISTENCY
daughter, III say it en- promise 1t, ef q
be you're trus en- faithful to me-"
The harrassed tension Of Heathe's eoun
tenance relaxed -rr MOO w -.
you have bound yourself to stand b!
me and love me- III hold you TO It"
II want you 70 bold me to It. onliest