The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-05-09

night, she returned TO the main cabin
and went 10 bed herself.
But for some reason she failed to sleep.
The bright moonlight, the rasping cry of
katydids from the trees without, and the
discom forting nature Of her thoughts
kept her awake. She felt vaguely un-
easy about Uncle Nose. Where was he
Very likely at the little moonshine still,
up Bear Hollow, half mile away. He
often spent the night there, engaged in
his illicit toll. She remembered his un-
friendly treatment of the sleeping ped
dler, whose heavy breathing c5uld now
be heard through the thin partition
wall. He had once iain in wait, rifle in
hand, for passing drOver, whom he
had sci down for spy. Only Aunt
Viney's prompt appearance had prevent
ed a probable murder. Uncle Nose,
though good man ensugh when in his
right mind, was dangerous, uncertain
parsonage when stirred by the memory
of his son into spirit of half insane
hostility against the world.
50 uneasy did Nan become that at last
she rose, slipped on her dress and stole
out into the moonlight. An impulse she
could not control impelled her to peep in
at the peddler's open window. She was
prompted by an indefnable fear. What
she saw there caused her to start back,
clasp her hands and gasp for breath.
Then, trembling in every limb, she look
ed again.
@My God 7" she faltered Gam dream
in? Sure it can't bend yet must be-
lieve my own eyes"
Acting under new impulse she turn
ed and fled along the trail leading to the
still. Arrived there she found the place
silent and deserted. There was no fire
in the furnace, and nothing to be heard
but the cries of the whipporwills upon
the mountain side.
Full of painful forebodings she retraced
her steps and once more crouched be-
meath the peddler's window. There she
waited until her limbs became cramped
and the night air chilled her TO the bone
81 might as well lie down again." she
thought. "Ireckon uncle's gone dowr
the valley, for he lowed to-day as he'd
have to go after coffee right away.
could wake the man up, but somehow
dassn't. He might think | was forward
But the second trial Of the bed was nc
better than the first. The peddler's
heavy breathing was ever in her ears
and her thoughts reverted constantly t
the sense Of peril that vaguely yet per
sistently kept her upon the tenderhooki
of anxiety.
81 wish mornin' would come,' she saiC
for the hundredth time. lord what 1
meetin' there'll be then :"
The sound Of stealthy football upor
the gravel without brought her to sit
ting posture at once. Her heart bea
loudly as she listened breathlessly. Yes
it was moving around the house. Nov
she heard it no more. Could she hav'
imagined it all? No; there it was agair
in the back porch.
Then-then-she heard a gentle crack
ing sound. All The shed room door
She sprang out of bed, and hasty bounC
brought her to the door leading into th'
back porch. She wrenched it open jus
in time to catch glimpse of tall shad'
ow that disappeared within the she'
room.
Good Lord, help mel' she faintl!
calculated, as she sprang forward, nerv
ed to desperation 10y this dreadful fulfill
men. of her fears.
ste entered the room. There lay the
peddler, slumbering heavily in the whit
glow Of the moonlight His face va
strangely altered, for the heavy beard
had fallen of. leaving exposed a clean
shayen youthful face. But the whit
bearded old man, bending over the pros
trate form with uplifted knife, saw moth
ing distinctly. To his morbid imagin
ings only the form ofa hated spy Ia.
helpless before him. A spy in the ser
vice Of the detested "revenoos," who ha'
robbed him of his only and well-belov
ed son.
"Unelew screamed Nan, dragging hin
back. "Unclel You shall not. Don
You see? It's John-our John-you
Johnw
The peddler woke and stared upwar'
in bewildered way. The knife fell b
the Il Dor as Nose, his eyes almost start
ing from his head, stared at his SON
white face. Suddenly he comprehende'
and the effect descended upon him like
thunderbolt.
Uttering low, quiyering cry he san
to his knees by the bedside and his hea
fell forward. Mans and Johns eyes me
in a mutually recogniE ing glance the
they turned their attention to the oil
man. As they laid him upon the bed
Aunt Viney, awakened by the noise
came in. She fell back as though con
fronted by ghost.
"John ~ she exclaimed. "Yet itcAn'
shoreIy bel'
"Yes, it is mother. didn't know ho'
you'd all take my bein' so long in tn
pen so when the Governor pardcned m
out lowed I'd come home as peddle
md in disguise till found out if you a
cared for me any more"
While John was speaking Nose oper
ed his eyes and tears blinded them as b
gazed.
"My son, my son. he murmured brC
kenly. "And might have killed him
My minds made up. There1l no NOR
'stillin' done in Bear Holler after this"
do you reckon Nan cares for me an
more, father ?" asked John, while b
eyes sought those of Nan.
@Of course she do. Hasn't she bee
grieyin' herself away ever since you va
took. She never looked at anotht
man."
Mans confusion seemed to sanction
this.
There is only one thing to be done
. interposed Aunt Viney, decisivel.
) They've just got to go over to the circu
ri ier's next Sunday md git marrie'