Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-07-27
THE MOONSHINERS.

The girl closed the door of the
erimbling spring house. Her express
zion WAS alert and expectant-heT
movements sluggish, almost dilatOry;
and yet "a chilling wind whistled
down the holes of the rotten roof,
through the gaps and chinks between
the worm eaten logs; it tossed her
brown hair, crimsOned her pretty
cheek, all unheeded. Miriam Sagsby
lid not feel the nOrtherly
gaie. Her gaze fastened itself
upon the thickets of laurel, sassafras
and creeping bramBle, where a mar
rQwpath, only few yards away, alb
ruptly disappeared. The spring bub-
bied out from under a huge rock, be-
hind which ran a deep ravine where
sunlight never penetrated the great
pines, even at midday. The spot
could not have been more wildly
somber; but there was a safety in
shat black abyss, serviceable more
-tfhan once within Miriam's memory.
Her smile hroadened into a pleased
laugh as the tapping bushes were
pushed aside, and a man looked
war1ly about him before quitting
their -shelter-a man in the rough
hOme-spun of a mOUntaineer, but
-bith the handsome face, soft hands
and understandable aspect of one used
to ease and luxury.
cts you, DR.. Heathel' she ex-
CiaimedIn well feigned surprise.
''WhO did You think it was. Eliriam?'
inquired DR.. Heathe, his keen, rapid
glancedarting with lightning rapidity
into every dingy nook and remote
shadow. There was something pain
fully apprehensiYe in the watchful
scrutiny continually those restless,
suspicious eyes, as well as the firm,
"Aalf menacing hold upthe rife always
carried or at hand for instant use.
''HaVe you seen any strangers?'' he
questioned.
Strangers? How should I? Strang-
ers' don't come this away, Onliest
they're after the mOOnshiners, " she
laughed
'eDon' they?" hesaid, without echo
ing the laugh. '.There are worse
things than free stills"
"L.ast winter when / went down the
ridge to Odds Corner to school, the
eguv' ment men were arfter the moon
sinners, en- they met me one evenin',
whenst Use a-crOssin' Diffikil branch,
en- Offered me new dress to show the
way to ole Tim SINNERS"
did you do ito and again that
sharp glance went off on it's perpetual
search for secret danger.
do it?'' she retOrted scOrnfully.
E'DO you think I'd tell OF anybody"
Perhaps yOn didn't knOw?"
''But did know, she triumphant
" asserted. Il knew Jest where the
still was, en- l knew they were
a-goin' off that night with load, but
I'd die befO' I'd tell of EN-
Are you as brave as that, Mir
iami' The mOdulated tone became
earnest and anxious; his gaze rested
on her fine, glowing face a full minut,
before it Travelled away upon it's tire
less hunt of something or some one
never absent an instant from hi
mind. 'COuld you, at the peril 0
your life, save men tracked like WilC
beasts?"
eff 'twur father, now, I'd like tx
see 'em catch him while Pm about
onliest father don't have no mo- t
do with the free stills. When he did
L KEEP him safe, en- give him the sig
mai # ever a stranger prOWled tn
ridge returned Miriam; "but- yOI
amt 40 mOOnshiner?"
ut 81 Tv
but would yOu~stand by me in tina
way, my girl, and care what becam
Of-4 stranger
''YOu have been on the ridge 81
GnOnths or better-yOu are not
stranger, s" she interrupted.
No, not a stranger as these pee
Esle see it, " was the half irOnical II
ply. "But, Miriam, would you car
enough to marry me- mean t
stay here in the mountains all m
life-spend my days in these pine
where no one will ever see me. Doe
it matter to you that 1 don't wan
any one to see or know of me?'
A more vigilant apprehenslo
gathered under the intensified su
penSe. She had hesitated and avert6
her face. The crystal surface of ii
water at her feet reflected the super
grace and manly beauty Ofthis stral
ger, 50 unspeakably different fro
the rugged sun hardened habitan'
of ridge and hollow. The girl turnt
slowly toward him.
81 know yOt've got sommut
hide from" she said quietly; OBJ
for All that, DR.. Heathe, you're be
ter than 1 am-yOu're quality bree
and I am only the old mOOnshineI
daughter --
Hush. Mariaml What does
matJe- what l WASP" ne broke