Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-12-08

sun Drowned cheeks as the young stranger
DOTTED his hat and bowed with the grace
OF Chesterfield. 1t was the first time a
man had ever lifted his hat to her.
This young Teller wants ter stay hyar
Rll night" said Steve, IAN told him he'd
halter ask you erbout ct"
Twelve amt got much, mister"
stammered Mirandy, ian I-we"--
II assure you anything is preferable to
sleeping in the open air." said the young
man with another bow.
well, if yer can sleep with pap an put
up with what we uns do, | guess yer kin
stay"
The frugal supper of corn pone, bacon
and black coffee was soon ready and quick
ly disposed Of by the three. They sat In
front Of the cabin 10y the starlight and
watched the slowly rising river mist until
time to retire. Steve slept the sleep of
those who toll, but sleep forsook the eyes
of Mirandy and the young man. The
formers thoughts We're far different from
the latter's.
When morning had come the young
mans mind was made up. As the three
were eating breakfast he said:
II would like TO remain here a week or
two, and if you will allow me to board
with you during that time will pay you
well. My name is Arthur Jones, and am
In business in st. Louis"
ut air jest as Mirandy says" was Steve's
reply.
"If pap's wllin ] air." said Mirandy
And thus it was agreed that Jones should
remain.
At first the young mans rod and gun
frNrr ful,a 4 IL.
larder, but ere many days had passed his
rod and gun were forsaken and he found
plenty of excuses to remain near the cabin
while Steve, unsuspecting Steve, was doz
ing by the rivers side. His soft voice
found ready listener in Mirandy. and his
stories Of city life were revelations to the
ignorant girl He told of the opera, Of
balls, of silks and satins, and awoke in the
unsuspecting girls heart a longing to see
and participate in the gay scenes.
"Why don't you leave this Godforsaken
country and go to ST. Louisf" asked Jones
one afternoon Your rudy beauty would
astonish our pale city bellies"
What would err ignerent country girl
Ike me do in St. Looeyf"
you need not long remain ignorant.
Besides your beauty would cover your
sins possessed by society bellies"
And thus the web was woven about the
girl. The two weeks heightened into six.
and still the young man remained. One
morning Steve started for the river. A.
he disappeared in the underbrush the
young man turned to Mirandy and said:
Now is our time"
When evening came Steve strolled home
from the river, but Mirandy was nowhere
to be seen.
Steve wondered at this. And when he
stepped into the deserted cabin his wonder
grew. He looked for the strangers rod
and gun. They were gone. He looked
for Mirandy's Sunday dress. 1t, too, was
gone. And then across Steves sluggish
mind stole the awful truth. When its full
realization dawned upon him it changed
his whole being. The dull eyes frightened
and the stopped shoulders Strengthened.
His face, so long dull changed to look of
logged determination. Then he took from
the wall the old fashioned revolver that he
had carried with Marmaduke, and after
carefully loading it he put IL in his pocket
and started blindly through the under.
brush, walking with long and rapid strides.
He turned his course toward northeast, for
he knew that many miles away in that
direction was the great city 70 which his
child had been lured. No thought Of
fatigue or hardship entered his mind Dis
lance WAS no object. His whole thought
was on Mirandy and the villain who had
stolen her from him.
No one ever knew how Steve reached
st. Louis, but reach it he did after nights
OF fatigue and hunger His clothes hung
In rags about his gaunt form; his shoes
had fallen from his feet and left them 10
be torn and bruised by the thorns and
stones that beset his patch. Steve knew
nothing OF police so he did not ask their
aid in his search For weeks he tramped
the streets. Day and night be wandered,
eating crusts and sleeping on the wharves
when he ate and slept at all. The chilling
blasts pierced his rags, but he minded
them not
One night his feet strsyed down one o.
the great residence streets OF the city. In
front Of one of the handsome residences an
awning was stretched from door to curb
and on the pavement a motley crowd was
gathered. Steve stopped, prompted by he
knew not what, and as he gazed a car
rage drove up and man in livery opened
its door. From the carriage stepped form
that seemed familiar 1t was followed by
that of young lady dressed as a bride,
and arm in arm the two started across the
pavement. Steve stepped closer, and his
eyes recognized the smiling young man as
Jones.
With cry like wounded panther
Steve sprang through the crowd and con
fronted the bridal couple. The groom's
face became an ashen gray and the bride
shrieked family as they gazed on the bag
gard face and tattered form of the in
truder.
"Whar's my Mirandyi"
II know nothing Of you or Mirandy,"
said the young man.
"You liel You stole her from me, an
want FER back"
II tell you | know nothing of her. Shs
followed me to st. Louis, and when she
found would have nothing to do with her
she went to the bad She is al
There was a flash and loud report.
Then came the dull sound of body fall.
ing, and all was excitement
Steve stole away undetected and hurried