The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-07-01

sS>>>WDHISaNtN'G ~ Paus1u
highest peaks of the Allegheny Mount
aims, with the waters of the Tennessee
and French Broad cut off from his Oh.
servation. Attempting to follow the
confused directions given by an old col.
ored wood-c chopper Gas to how he would
easily cross) he had wandered from the
right road aud was completely lost in a
wilderness of foliage and rocks.
''Hum," he continued with a sarcastic
smile at his own stupidity, "a pleasant
prospect Tor a young man who loves ease,
luxury and the aesthetic in life. Camping
may have charms for enthusiastic lovers
of nature, but I very much prefer good
hotel to lying upon the damp ground
with bugs making race track of my
face, tents of my cars, and worms and
snakes playfully crawling around"
"He whistled shrilly at his discount
ture. To his intense surprise the notes
were answered, plainly though lowly.
clearly though cautiously. Then to his
greater astonishment figure appeared
to shoot up from the solid ground and
approach him.
At first he could not decide whether
it was man or beast, so dim and uncer.
tain was the little light that filtered
through the trees. Then, and to bis re-
lief, he saw it was girl, and the revol-
yer he had drawn for defence was slid
back unobserved into his pocket.
A chance flash of the sinking sun fell
upon her, and his mental photograph
was correct, if almost instantaneous.
Her age, he decided, was under twenty
years, her figure remarkable for 1.-the.
ness, her face for its sallow-whiteness
and large eyes (the color he could not
determinc), as luminous rs those of some
feline animal. Her bonnetless head was
covered with profusion of dark, shor,
curls, tangled and unframed and but
little cared for. Her feet were bare and
brown, as were hands and complexion.
Her dress was fashioned without regard
to taste, fitting, becomingness-to any.
thing but the decency of life. 1t was of
the yellow-brown homespun common ia
the locality. There was shrinkind D
timidity in her voice-one so sweetlv
and musical as to instantly;
find its way attractively to the ears of
Everleigh when, with a Sigh of relief,
she said,
"1 am glad you have come, have
waited since noon for you, and my uncle
will be very angry at my staying SO
long"
"Been waiting for me7' he repeated
questioningly and in amazement.
h,,f 7 f>ll - Ill
mount. You will have to lead yom
horse. l will show the way"
"The way9 What waya Where are
you going to take me?"
ITO those with whom you appointed
a meeting"
With the spirit of adventure strong,
and believing himself able to cope with
any danger that might arise, Everleigh
followed his strange guide along dubious
paths. But vainly he endeavored to gain
any information as to where she was
leading.
"You know more than 1 can tell, =" she
replied when urged until she could no
longer remain silent, sand it is a shame
that one so young and" she hesltated
for moment and then added, $50 hand
some, should engage in so dangerous and
disgraceful business"
Gas what2"
Her lips remained sealed. He briefly
related the object of his journey, INSISTED
that she judged him WI ongly and urged
her to turn back and put him upon the
right road to cross the mountains.
cit is too late" she answered, and he
fancied the words were regretfully
uttered and the pressure of her hand
more warm and strong. "We have al
ready passed two of the lookouts, though
you saw them not, and / dare not gt
back"
"But what" he questioned tribe
anxiously, "will be my fate if stumble
upon any dangerous secrets and an
looked upon as n spy2"
sunless you can prove true the stor
you have told me you may never lool
upon home or those you love again"
death! Aud what will become O
you2"
81 know not, care not, and woulC
welcome death as the greatest of bless
ings.'
"Then those you live with are"
"Hush ~ and she whispered impress
sively: ~ have often thought tho YER
rocks listened. But those live will
are only distantly related to me. Th,
war left me without father or brother, a
| had long been motherlesss. was
mere child-was sent here for care ant
have found-hush! not another word
Leave your horse here. A few step
farther and you will know all, will NEE
your fate"
The sherp -tareins of q rocky point
revealed bowl.like valley, perfectly
protected by high, wooded hills upol
every side-a place so secreted by n,tur
that one might long and almost hopeless
ly search for it. To all appearances i
vas uninhabited, was far from any hab
itation and when Evereigh first locke,
upon it he fauced only by wings coult
its depths be reached. Rude steps. hal