The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-07-14

|
l am so concerned about Charley that
1 shall be glad"
Charley who2" asked Joe Lang
don, almost sharply.
"Why, Charley Brantley. He is one
of our own party, you know. You
must have seen him"
| 'You mean the handsome Teller with
the long moustache that kept so close
to you the day we rode over to the
mine |"
A conscious blush redeemed the
ludy's cheek.
yes" she replied; "that was Char
ley Brantley."
| Langdon saw the blush, and moved
'neasily in the saddle.
| ''Do you love him, Miss Pembroke ?"
"SirP'
"Do you love Charley Brantley?"
1t was plain question, plainly put.
From another person it would have
been resented as n most impertinent
one; but even the naughty Miss Penn
broke could not get angry with this
frank, simple hearted man. With
frightening color she replied:
eyes, Mr.. Langdon; L don't mind
telling you that L do love him. We
are engaged to be married"
She was not looking Mt him. She
did not see the gray pallor that crept
slowly into his face; did not note the
stony look in his eyes, or the nervous
manner in which he raised his hand to
his throat and pulled at his collar as
If 1T were choking him.
She was looking out over the valley,
too much abashed by her own CON
fession to meet her companions gaze.
81 am anxious about Charley" she
in danger"
Joe started, and looked positively
guilty. Had she read the thought that
flashed lightninglike through his
mind?
But the girl did not see-did not
know. With eyes still averted she
continued:
Charley has such temper, and he
sometimes loses control of it. The
day he went away he caught man in
the act of stealing his silver mounted
rifle, which he valued so highly, and
without pausing to consider the conse-
the face with his riding whip. / have
since heard that the man has since
sworn vengeance on him, and declared
he would kill him at the first oppor-
tunitY. The thought is so terrible
that L cannot drive it from my mind,
and L fairly dread Charloy's return.
Perhaps you could contriye to save
him, Mr.. Langdon-"
"Eh? II don't-dld you speak to
me. Miss Pembroke?"
She looked at him now, with an ex-
preston of surprise. She saw how
deadly pale he was, and with n woman's
readiness to jump at conclusions she
exclaimed
"You believe 1t, too. You think
Charley is in peril L know you do |"
"Wait n minute. Miss Pembroke"
said the miner, making mighty effort
to recover composure, and partially
succeeding.
"You say some Teller has took an
oath he'll kill your your-Charlev
Brantley. Who is the Teller, an what's
his name?"
THE people here call him Whisky
Tom He is low, dissipated half
breed. OF course you know him"
whisky Tom! 1 know him for n
drunken scamp and vagabond," said
Joe, with emphasis. "de oughter to
be hung long ago. Why, bless your
heart whisky Tom I'D murder his
mother for glass of whisky. When
he says he'll kill Teller you needn't
ilatter yerself that he won't try his
blamedest to do it, Jest rs soon as be
can mako sneak on the fellow. All
| I'm s'prised ut is that he tried TO steal
n rifle onless he wanted to sell it for
money to buy liquor with He never
uses firearms nohOw-couldu't hire
him to have anything to do with 'em.
| He does all his shootin' with bow an
arrow, eu' he can knock woojpecker
out O. the top of Californy pine every
clip. Why, Miss Pembroke, you're
white as II ghost :"
"Oh, won't you try and save him,
Mr.. Langdon?"
"Savo who?"
Charley. If anything Iiko-Iikc
that should befall him it would kill
me. know it wouldW
1t would have been hard TO tell
| which was the pnler of the two, only
/ for tho sun.bronze on tho miner'e
face. 1t was n trying o-deal through
| which he was passing and for moment
| ii seemed as ifhe were turning TO ice
| but tho big unsclfish heart melted be.
meath tho pitoous, pleading gaze Of
/ those eyes that had played such havoc
with it during t1cso sunny weeks. Joe
/ Llngdou wiped tho Precipitation from
/ his brow, conscious That ho was from
| bling, aud that she would surely no.
/ tico his agitation
'If SD be-" mo spid, with another
/ grent effort TO b. calm off 80 DO it
| should como i'm my power to do Char
| Icy Brautlcy ~ service, I'd do it,, Of
| course-for your sayel But come.
| Miss PembroGc," he added, i'm more
/ cheerful tone, "yor mustn't let yer
self think % scch things. I guess Mis-.
/ ter Brantloy amt I'M scch danger but
/ what he'll take kcor OF hisaelf fright.
| It's timo for us Co bo moviu down the
mountain. Wen have shlrp appe.
| tito for breakfast after tho ride. r
/ reckon but it won't do for You Co
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