Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-09-10

Suddenly the musician ceased her play
ing and said:
"oh, yondsr comes Frank Ellis down
the trail"
How do you know it h, RoseY' In
Quired her father, booking over the val
ley TO where the red trail Eigxagged its
way along the steep slope
Because il is white horse; and then
no one else would ride 80 fast down that
trail 1t IL Frank, am sure"
"Oh, quite likely" said Colonel Che
nier, reflhng his pipe. Where u he
going so often up the valley Of later
HE has cattle In the range up there,
or something. hasn't heS" suggested Miss
Adelaide.
II don't know, I'm sure, said RosAlie,
making q whorl of her pretty hand and
looking through it at the far away horse
man.
u hope II it's Frank he'll have some
thing new to tell u.s." said Adelaide
Hell bring some papers and maga-
zines, | dare say" said Rosalie. Il am
real hungry to read new story" She
got up as she spoke and went to frag.
ment of a stone wall, upon which she
climbed to get better view Of the dis
tant trail Perched up there she sang a
snatch from simple song playing a
low accompaniment the while.
"There is a moonshine establishment
up the gulch west somewhere" said
Colonel Chenier, In low voice to Ade-
laide, She started a little and after a
moments reflection:
"Has Frank Ellis anything to do with
it," she asked.
He may have. don't know. It's
been rumored about, and there are some
detectives lurking around in the neigh
borhood," said the colonel, his voice full
of doubt and caution
"He is of good family" said Adelaide
thoughtfully, smoothing her work, land
| shouldn't think he'd care to engage in
such business 1t isn't honorable, is itF"
Most of the boys consider it none of
those northern officers business what is
done down here in the mountains" re-
piled the colonel
'But it's against the law, isn't it?"
yes, against their law; but our boys
don't mind the Yankee law to any alarm
ing extent"
'It would be better to let distilling
alone anyway, think, don't your" ex-
claimed Adelaide, in a tone of such
earnestness that her father could no
longer evade the point
"Oh, the business is not the BEST" he
said, 'tbut these revenue meddlers might
find better employment themselves than
going about to destroy the property of
| free men"
But man Of Frank Ellis standing
and family should think he'd scorn so
vulgar a business"
There's smack Of daring and danger
In it, and then, too, there is a great deal
Of money to be made" said Colonel Che
nier, putting rapidly at his pipe "The
Yankees ought to be willing for US to
have at least one way Of getting back
what we've lost"
The sound Of horses feet was now
heard, and in moment q cavalier of the
true mountain type came up at a gallop
and drew rein in front Of the mill.
He lifted his broad brimmed felt hat
and bowed to his horses name He was
tall, round limbed, compactly built
young fellow, dark haired, with olive
complexion and keen black eyes, regular
features and superbly poised head A
suit Of well fitting gray clothes, with
heavy top boots, brass spurs and buck
skin gauntlets, to which were added a
leather waist belt and three heavy pis-
tolls, gave strong emphasis to his rather
brigandish bearing. At his right side
swung light Maynard rifle.
Good morning, Miss Chenier; good
morning, colonel" he said; then, as if
for the first time noting the younger
girls presence, he bowed low again, and
with peculiarly pleasant smile added;
miss Rosalie, good morning."
Lovely morning, isn't it?" said the
colonel, the ring of southern cordiality
In hisVheavy voice.
"Lovely, lovely" was the answer, in a
rich, sweet tone. Il have had charm
ing ride over the mountain. The air is
exceedingly fine and have never seen
vegetation so rich and rank. Why, the
leaves on the hickory sprouts are as large
as the skirts of my saddle"
"Those leaves will be immense when
they are quite grown, Mr.. Ellis" said
Rosalie, striking a chord upon the old
banjo.
The young man bowed and laughed
lightly.
II fear you are trying to spoil the ef
feet of my comparison, he said, ending
with a peculiar compression of the lips
which caused his heavy mustache to
droop below his well turned chin.
But your saddle skirts are so enor-
mously large, Rosalie added. He looked
down and seemed for the first time
aware that he was riding one Of those
skirtless ''trees," thousands of which had
been left scattered through the hill coun-
try by Sherman's troopers He laughed
outright.
~ had forgotten that l changed sad
dies this morning." he exclaimed; sit
wasn't very happy comparison, after
all, but the hickory leaves are just as
large, all the same"
II have letter for you, sir" said the
cavalier, searching in side pocket as he
spoke. He let the envelope fall in get
ting 1t out. Lightly swinging himself
downward, he recovered it without dis
mounting. Although the horse was tall.