The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-02-05

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Il AIN ;:$:s5 ;s.S ,s!;, s;s';:;: sis:%;:
looking shafts. Our
cabin stood little removed from its
neighbors, up the ravnc. The view from
its doorstep was magnificent. The rug
ged peaks of tall mountains lowered at
the west, forming an admirable frame
for its grand sunsets; ut the east Law in
viting green valleys broken by oddly
winding passes, while here and there
rose slightcr peaks in fine contrast with
their emerald beauty.
We sat about the doorstep ore nirht
reading the mail the stage had lust
brought. had two letters, Jack and
Hughes, each one. Hugh finished his
first, and when had read mine | saw he
was regarding jack with apparent in
tcrcst and amusement.
Jacks face was Frightening more and
more, every word he read of his dainty,
scented little message. lie was n hand
some fellow tfIcu. Ills head was crowned
with wavy, golden hair; he wore no
beard, his eyes were large, dark brown,
and his build was almost faultlcss.
SIS it from Drcsdcn?" finally vcnturcd
Hugh. Jack nodded. We smiled.
Then he turned one Of the leaves nearly
upside down and kept on reading. The
next page, too, had writing up its side,
as VIC told by his tilting it; but that was
the end and he exclaimed:
"Boys, am the happicst fellow in the
glorious United States! DO you congratu-
late mc:'
81 never knew you two cared for each
other, cried Hugh, jumping at the con.
cluslon Jacks words hintel. "And
now you say you are open to congratula-
tlons! DO you really mean it?"
also stanmcrCd something, forgot
just what.
eyes, the heart of stern Papa Hastings
was melted by my IeTvid supplications, :"
cried Jack, tossing his hat into the air,
boyishly. ''Now you two know the
secret reason why have lost ten pounds
avordupois in the last three weeks. 1t
was not my climbing these perpendicular
hillsidcs. The old ogre wanted to force
Belle into marrying some lout of a lord
over there. 1t is wonder / have not
gone stark, staring iaad."
lie opened the little bilet-dcux and
read: ellis name is Clavcrhousc, and
be has two or more castles, and is one OF
les lmmortcilcs, and papa likes him
hugely, but | put my foot down against
marrying him. would rather my" "
Jack stopped there, bIushing hotly,
and decided not to read further.
feel rs good rs would if | happened
on to ton of gold up in the hills" he
exclaimed. "If we were in New York
l would take you fellows down to Dcrs
and give you the best supper he could
serve"
"But as we are not2' qucricd Hugh.
'Comc in and burn n pipcful Of boot
TOP tobacco with me- he laughnoly cx.
claimed -
He gayIy led the way into our little
cabin as he spoke, and soon VIC were Sit
ting around the s..aky table putting our
corncobs and chatting mcrrily about
Jacks good news, II cloud of blue smoke
hanging over our heads.
"Somchow this subject suggests one
have intended to breach three or four
times before, said Hugh, after q while
"No; it isn't anything like Jacks an.
nounccmcnt, he added, us we started to
joke him.
Slowly he Knocked the ashes from his
pipe by striking it against the edge of
the table, and then tilted his boxE-tbat
cabin had never known a chair--aoainst
the wall. He had an unrnly mustacbe.
and he tuggcd at it as he said:
"Monti."
"What of Mcuti2' asked Jack.
81 am afraid he will do some mis-
chief before We leave here"
Nonsense" insisted Jack. "He is
as reliable as any greaser."
81 hardly like his looks" acknowl-
edged. "You remember 1 ADVISED not
hiring him, at the first. I think we
should get rid of him."
"Bdt am learning lot of Spanish
from him." exclaimed Jack. "And we
three athletes need hardly fear one thin
greaser, who appears us weak us the pro-
verbal cat"
81 have heard YOU say Isl scnor' once
or twice." twitted Hugh. "I hardly
think you will gain n hoard Of knowl-
edge from Monti, and / say with Cad, =,
get rid of him. You are likely never to
see Belle Hastings again if you don't; I
run chance of never putting foot on
Broadway, and Cad the same. Shall we