Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-08-17
MIRIAM.
Courage and Faithfulness cf {
 Moonshiner's Daughter.

9,
 fhe girl closed the door of the crum1ling spring house. Her expression was ale ,a and expectant-her movements sluggish, almost dilatory; and yet a chilling wind whistled down the holes of the rotten roof through long gaps and chinks between the worm eaten logs; it tossed her brown hair, cs'im- soned her pretty cheek, all unhceded. Miriam Sagsby did not feel the nortserly gale. Her gaze fastened itself upoG the thickets of laurel, sassafras and creeping bramble, where a narrow path, only c few yards away, abruptly disappeared. The spring bubbled out from under huge rock, behind which ran deep ravine where sun light never penetrated the great pines, even st midday. The spot could not have been more widely sombre, but there was a safety in that black abyss, serviceable more than once within Miriam's memory. Her smile broadoned into pleased laugh as the lap ping bushes were pushed aside and q man looked warily about him before quitting their shelter-a man ill the rough homespun of a mountaineer, but with the handsome face, soft hands and indeScribable aspect of one used to ease and luxury.
 "It's you, pr. Heathe" she exclaimed in well-feigned surprise.
 "Who did you think it was, Miriam;' In Nd darting with lightning rapidity into Svery dingy nook and remote shadow. There was something painfully apprehensive in the watchful scrutiny continually in those rest less, suspicious eyes, as well aS the firm, hRlf-meuacing hold upon the rife always carried or Rt hand for instant use. "asve you seen any strangers!" he questioned
 ''Strsngers! How should II Strangers don't come this away, onliest they re Rrfter the moonshiners," she laughed.
 Don't theyi' he said, without echoing the laugh. There are worse things than free stills"
 "Last winter when went down the ridge 10 Odds Corner to school, the Guv 'ment men were arfter the moonshiners, en' they met me one evenin, whenst rse a crossin' Difl- kill Branch, en' offered me Q new dress 10 | show the way to ole Tim Sknner's"
 "Did you do it!" and again that sharp glance went off on it's perpetual searcA for secret danger.
 "Do it!" she retorted scornfully. "Do you think I'd tell of any body."
 Perhaps you didn't know!"
 But did know" she triumphanti~ as serted. Il knew jes' where the 'stilr was en' knew they were a goin' of that zight with load, but I'd die befo' I'd tell of am :"
 Are you so brave as that, Miriama'' The modulated tone became earnest and anxious :; his gaze rested on her fine, glowing face a full minute before it travelled away upon its l ttreless 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 beastsl
 '1f 'twur father, now, I'd like to ses lem catch him while I'm about onliest father don't have no mo- to do with the free stills When he did, kep' him safe, en' give him l Ahao dts Yron1J Al ridge" returned Miriam; "but you ain't no moonshinerl"
 "No, Miriam, not a 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 ncnths or better-you are not a stranger" sic in terrupted.
 1 "No; not a stranger as these people see it :" was the half-ironical reply. But, Miriam, would you care enough to marry mel I mean to stay here in the mountains all my life-spend my days in these pines where no one will ever see me. Does it matter te you that l don't want any one to see or knew of mel"
 A more vigilant apprehension gathered under the intensified suspense. Sha had hesitated and averted her face. The crystal surface of the water at her feet reflected the superb grace and manly beauty of this stranger, so unspeskably different from the rugged, sun hardened habitants of ridge and hollow. The girl turned slowly toward him.
 'l know you've got sommut to hide fl om v she said, quietly; "but for all that Dr. Hesthe, you're better than I am-you'rs quality bred, and am only the old noon sinners daughter"
 'Hush, MiriamI What does 1t matter what wasP' he broke in, passionately. "Hou are too good for me. Only say that you Will marry me, and care for me, ssoun- drel that am," added the man, bitterly.
 A dsuntless resolution depicted itselt 1pon Miriam's countenance, as she lifted her lustrous eyes and held his shifting glsnces by the subtle force and fire in their depths.
 "Yes, I'll marry you, en' stand by you, too-stand by you en' help you-true en' faithful ii I am onliest a moonshiner's daughter. I'll say 1t en' promise it, eff so be you're true en' faithful by me-"
 The harrassed tension of Hesthe's aoun- tenance relaxed
 You have bound yourself to stand tT me and love me-I'u hold you to it"
 Il want you to hold me to it. oniiest l want you to do the same by me-" she re- piled.
 Relinquishing his gun for & moment, he drew her into his arms and kissed her ten derly, thea, with guilty start and iavol- uAo0AS SASnCe around hlult released tEo glrl and took up his weapon
 I'm scounlrel to ask it." he said, with forced, angry luagh, ignoring the aaend- ing request
 "Mirry! Mirry 7" called a shrillvoice from the house
 "O, mel That's grandmother SheNl be arfter me in minute!" and Miriam hur ried off up the path. Heathe followed easily keeping apace with her rapid steps
 Miriam, shall I inform Alb and youI grandmotherr' he asked. "You'n marry me when there's preacher comes to-Odds Corner, don't you call iti"
 Yes; the preacher can come here Father don't talk, en' grandmother don't go nowhere" Miriam replied. intuitively di