Smyrna times., 1896-09-09
"Indedd, sir, we won't say word to

1--WE won't do yer no harm, j." said
the younger man in husky tones, "but
we can't low yer to lis none"
ExpostulatiOn proved unavailing, so,
closely attended by the moonshiner
and the younger one, whose face they
could not see, but whose figure looked
strangely familiar, they were con-
Quoted up steep height and down
ferny ravine into forest of virgin pines,
whose dark shadows were lit by the
mimic armament of firefiies. Present
ly they.came to little hut, before which
the river flowed.
''Nita!" called the old man.
He was answered by a dim, dark
eyed girl, who greeted them gracefully
but shyly.
"Take care of these young ladies,
Nita, and see as they don't leave the
house. We leaves yer free," he CON
tinued to Edith, elf yer'Il give yer
word to stay here quietlike till morn
in"
This the sisters promised readily,
reassured as they were by Nita's ap-
pearance and the respectful courtesy
of the men.
Nita conducted them to bare but
neat little room, and left them, to re-
turn presently with a wooden tray con-
tanning some nice light rolls, a tin
plate of butter, and two bowls-made
of gourds-full ofrich, sweet milk.
No meal-served on dainty china
was ever more enjoyed than this sim
pie repast. While eating, the girls
became aware of voices in the next
room.
edith, that is Rudicil Norwood
talking to Nital
'Hush, Daffodil! whispered she. 81
recognized him at the still; and the
girls father is old Donald, whose hid
ing place the raiders have been so long
trying to take. Listen!
ooh, Dicil!" cried Nita, 'I wish ter
God there were no sich thing as
whiskyw
''NOt more an does; but L couldn't
leave we uns ter fite it out with ther
raiders now"
''NO, but let here be the last time.
And, Dicil, take care er dad.
''I'll try, God knows; but yer pap
he'll never quit as long as thar's corn
ter squeeze it out en-,
'No, I'm afeared he amt never goin'
ter fergit the little buds being shot a
tryin' to warn him
"Well, 1 must be goin'. God bless
yer sweetheart"
"Good night. God bless and keep
yer!'
Daffodil heard low sob from the
girl as the tall, handsome young
mountaineer passed out of sight.
''HOw pretty she Isl Let's ask her
to let us co." she said.
"Why, Daffodil! We promised; be
side, it would be madness to go
through the mountains at this time of
night. But, oh, what will Mrs. Will
son say?"
'Don't think of her; the world is
full of trouble, and it's our religious
duty to shorten our sorrows and
lengthen our joys"
Suppose we try to get a little
sleep" said Daffodil.
They had hardly lain down, still
dressed ON the little plank bed when
the tramp of many feet on the
bridge made them springup and
fly to the window. The space be-
tween the house and river was full
of dark form.
''The raiders" wispered Daffodil.
At that moment Nita appeared in the
doorway.
ooh" she cried. "are they going to-
ward the still?"
'I'm afraid so," returned Edith,
putting her arm about the trembling
girl.
Nita's face grew firm, and her eyes
flashed with sudden purpose. Run
ming to the kitchen she snatched the
bugle or dinner horn from the wall,
and returning, dropped lightly from
the open window. A flash of light
garments, and she had passed the raid
ers nOiselessly. All! she was seen and
yells and cries followed her. Shot
after shot sped harmless over her head
Upon the steep heights of Stump
House mountain she flew the officers
in full pursuit. The two girls watched
her breathlessly. Slowly but surely
she gained on her pursuers, her noun
tain life training enables her to run like
a goat over paths almost inaccessible to
them.
Look" cried Daffodil. ''She is
taking short cut--Oh, they will see
her."
She had reached the top of the
mountain. What did she mean to do?
Suddenly through the still night rang
the sound of bugle. Again and again
it came, and the wind took up the
echoes and threw down the ravine till
the mountains rang. Then they saw
her disappear as if the wind or clouds
had carried her away.
They sat trembling, hand in hand,
until at last the slim figure and weary
face of Nita shot past in through the
open door. Then came the sound of
shots fred in the distance, and again
silence reigned and Nita's voice rang
out in the next room. Edith, followed
by Daffodil, ran in to find her with
Rudicil's head upon his knee, sObbing
out in agony:
"Oh, Dicil, speak ter me! Are yer
come to die? Oh, felt it nd come ter
thisl"
The boys dark eyes opened with
dazed look-which seemed to cling to
and recover itself on Nita's face.
eyer saved us this time-yer a bang
up good un, sweetheart"
He struggled to rise, but with
groan of pain, fell back, unconscious.
"Dicil Dicil! Oh, he is deadl"
Nita cried wildly.
Edith knelt beside her, seeing that
the wound was dangerous only from
loss of blood, soon staunched and
bound up the poor head.