The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-07-03
TIE MOONSHINERS.

alert and eXpcctaut- her movements snug
gish. almost dilatory; and yet chilling
wind whistled down the holes of the rot
ten roof. through lone gaps and chinks
between tie worm eaten logs; II tossed
her brown hair. crims0ncd her pretty
cheek. all unhecdcd Miriam Stgsby did
not feel the northerly gale. Her gaze fas
tened itself upon the thickets of laurel,
sassafras and creeping bramble, where II
marrow path. only few yards away. alb
ruptly disappeared The spring dubbed
out from under a huge rock. behind which
ran deep ravine where sunlight never
penetrated the great pines, oven ut md
day The spot could not have been more
wildly somber; but there was a safety III
that black abyss, serviceable more than
once within Mram's memory Her smile
broadened into pleased laugh as the lap
ping 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 with the
handsome face, soft hands and indescrib
able aspect of one used to ease and luxury.
Its you. Dr. Heathel" she exclaimed
In well feigned surprise.
WHO did you thinl, it was, MlriamY
inquired DR. Heathe, his keen, rapid
glance darting with lightning rapidity
into every dingv nook and remote sh dow.
There was something painfully aPprehen-
sive in the watchful scrutiny continually
in 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.
Strangers How should L. Strangers
don't come this away, onliest they're arr
ter the moonshiners. she laughed
Don't theyy' he said, without echoing
the laugh. There are worse things than
free stills
Last winter when went down the
ridge to Odds Corner 10 school, the guy
ment men were arfter the moonshiners,
en- they met Inc one evenin', whenst Use
acrossin Difiikil branch en- offered me
new dress to show the way to ole Tim
SINNERS
Did you do it, and again that sharp
glance went off on its perpetual search
for secret danger.
"Do it, she retorted scornfully. DO
you think Id tell of anybody
Perhaps you didn't know
But ] did know. she triumphantly
asserted. Il knew jes' where the still
was. en- knew they were a-goin' of that
night with a load. but I'd die befO' I'd tell
OF EN-.
Are YOU as brave as that, Mriamr
The modulated tone became earnest and
anxious his gaze rested on her line, glow
ing face full minute before il Travelled
away upon its tireess hunt Of something
or some one never absent an instant from
his mind Gould you, at the peril OF
your life. save men tracked Ike wlId
beastsl'
IF twur father, now, Id 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 signal If ever a stranger
prowled the ridge returned Miriam
but you amt no m0onshnerl
mo. Miriam. not moonshlner. but
would YOU stand by me in that way, lay
girl and care what became OF q strsn
GER
You have been on the ridge six months
or better-you are not stranger" she
interrupted
"Nu. not stranger as these people see
it." was the half ironical reply. But.
Miriam. would you care enough 10 marry
me? | mean TO stay here in the noun
tains all my life-spend my days in these
pines where no one will ever see me.
Does il matter to you that don't want
any one to see or know of mel'
A more vigilant apprehension gathered
under the intensified suspense. She had
a -..,1 iap ha
tai surface of the water at her feet re
Elected the superb grace ana manly beauty
of this stranger, so uuspeakabiy different
from the rugged sun hardened haeitants
of ridge and hollow The girl turned
slowly toward him
Il know you've got sommut 10 hide
from" she SAID. quietly; but for all
that. DR. Heathe. you're better than am
YOU re quality bred. and | ain only the
old moonshiners daughter -
Hush. Miriaml What does it matter
what | wasy" he broke in passionately
You are too good for me Only say that
YOU will marry Inc aud care for me,
scoundrel that | am added the man,
bitterly.
A dauntless resolution depicted itself
upon Miriams countenance, as she lifted
her lustrous eyes and held his shifting
clances by the subtle force and lire In
their depths.
Yes. I'll marry you. en- stand by you,
too-stand by you en- help you-true en-
faithful. if | am onliest a moonshiner :
daughter, III say it en- promise it. ct SO
be you're true en- faithful TO me.
The harrassed tension of Heathe's coun-
tenance relaxed.
You have bound yourself to stand by
me and love me. III hold you to 1t.
Il want you TO hold me to it. onliest !
want you to do the same by me, she re
Piled.
RelinquishinS his gun for moment, be
drew her into his arms and kissed her ten
derly, then. with guilty start and i&vol-
untary glance around him. released the
girl and took up his weapon.
I'm a scoUndrei to ask II, he said.
with forced angry laugh, ignoring the
amending request.
"Mirryl Mlryl" called y shrili voice
from the house.
. "Oh. mel That's grandmother she IL
be arfter me In a minute," and Miriam
hurried of up the path. Heathe followed
d..