The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-08-27

growing dusk: =. -t,~..,. t. ..s.
"I1l follow you in half an hour. Feel
rather badly to-day but believe I'll he
all right in short while;' Smith an-
swcred lndifferently:
very well, Smiths I'll expect you,"
dhd Jonathan departed.
Probably some twenty minutes had
elapsed which Smith left the house, and
leisufely made his way toward the Sc
cret still. Alice watched the stranger
closely, and when Smith had dsap-
pcared SHE threw a shawl bter her
head=athefe was hli unpleasant chilli
hess in the mountain air-and followed
In his wake.
The old mill which concealed the
still was some three-quarters of mile
from Jonathan's house, and as Alice
proceeded ON her way she occasionally
caught glimpse of the forms of
strange men in the dense underground
going evidently in tile same direction
with herself Once d strange man
glanced at her susplciolisly, but did not
modest her. He was armed with d
shotgun, and took her probably for
some one who was returning from d
visit to d neighboring mountaineer's
home.
Soon the girl reached the old mill:
In the evening twilight the dying sun
was fast disappearing behind the
mountains, leaving faint glare In its
wake, which lit up the scene with d
soft, golden light. Smith, the stranger;
was standing motiohless in front of the
mill, peering ahxiously now and theii
into tie dense underground on both
sides of the stream, which in past days
had furnished the motive power for the
how useless wheel Alice jackson
watched Smith intcntly for n moment,
and then approached him and laid her
hand gently on his shoulder
ike, why do you hound my father
like this?" spoke the girl softly.
Smith gazed at his questioner in d
startled way for d moment and then
with an effort recovered his usual dir
of stolid Indifference.
''You know me, Alice. had hoped
time had wrought such a change in my
nature and looks that hone would rec
ognize me You probably know why
| am here
"You trc revenue officer, and your
presence here at this moment is to sig
nal your men. who are here on all sides
to trap my father and the few men
who are in the still
ii see you know all. When l left
your fathers house, as | did, like a
beggar and an outcast, | swOre to ruin
him. If signal now to my men in the
woods iii d few minutes | will have the
evidence necessary to send him to the
pehtentiary. And. yet, if you had
only taken my part, all might have
been different." And Ike Hollands
voice grew soft and sad.
How could take your part, Ike, ex-
cept by going with you-and you never
asked me to do that" spoke the girl
feelngly.
"And would you had done SOP
Ike did not need an answer to his
question. In moment he realized
that he, the hunter of Jonathan Jack
son, was still beloved by his daugh-
ter. In the growing darkness of the
evening the two strOlled back to Jona-
than jackson, was still beloved by his
daughter. In the growing darkness of
the evening the two strolled back to
Jonathan's house. and the men in the
woods, who awaited their leaders sig
nal, wondered what change had taken
place in Ike Hollands plans. Jonathan
also was disappointed in not seeing
Smith at the still, and after that night
he never saw him. there again.
II hear that Alice has eloped with
that young man who was stopping
here" said the irresistible Mrs. Pearl
a few days after the events last mar
rated. "Some says as he was nobody
other than Ike Holland, though l never
did put much confidence in idle gos-
SIP"
Mrs. Pearl had heard of the late turn
in affairs, and had paid Mrs. Jackson
neighborly call to verify sundry ru-
UlOTS, WllltH lutcicStCu NSis
"Yes: Ike and Alice were married In
Nashville two days ago." answered
Jonathan's wife.
"And what does Jonathan say"
ruthlessly questioned Mrs. Pearl.
what can he say?' and Mrs. jack
sons eyes snapped resentment at the
question. Hes got sensible at last,
and says he never would have given
Ike Holland credit for such courage.
Any way, now that he has got son-in-
law a revenue officer, he declares he is
going to quit keeping a still and live
an honest life May be one of these
days l may persuade Jonathan to run
down to Nashville with me, but not
just yet t."-Washington Post.
Electricity Is said to have been sue
cessfully employed in a case of persis-
tent hiccoughing. Such cases are
usually fatal, under ordinary treat
ment, and If the electric current can
be relied on to stop the paroxysms, as
it is reported to have been done in a
..... L., JNI;uubntI will