The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1896-04-16

done heard the story bout the dog t
got hisself killed cause he didn't have
no better sense than to run with the
wGlves7"
Yes, I've heard it, ~ Cy
'Weli,I hain't got nothin' more TO
say, 'ceptin' that hits gettin' late an
ye'd better be trampin'. Jest wait a
minute" Is
She disappeared in the house and
came out again in moment with
sunbonnet drawn over her head.
"Thar's short cut over the shouldero O
the mounting. an low ye'd better
take hit; yen be heap less liller to
meet up with the folks that d ask We
sight more questions n what l have.
Come on"
She entered the forest at the rear of
the house, and Ringbrand followed her
in silence. Half way up the mountain
they came to an indistinct trail which
led them by many devious windings to
the base of the cliffs, and, skirting these,
Ringbrand found himself, for the sec
ond time that day, standing on the
small plateau at the mouth of the Nc
Nabb tunnel.
That's yer way" said julie, indicat-
ing the road leading to the valley. jest
keep straight on till ye get down the
mounting; We cayn't miss hit, nohow."
Ringbrand lifted his hat again: I'm
sure l thank you very much; it's good
of you to take so much trouble on my
account"
"Nev' mind bout that; but you all
take my advice an don't come prowlin'
round this yere cove no more. Yer
p'liteness moughtn't get we out ag'in,
next time"
She turned abruptly and left him to
make his way back to Tregarthen, and
neither of them saw the parting Of the
bushes at the top of the cliff through
which pair of malevolent eyes
watched their movements. Before
starting on his homeward walk, sud-
den impulse prompted Ringbrand to
climb once more into the abandoned
coal working. The place was darker,
now that the sun had gone behind the
mountain, and it was some time before
he could see well enough to make out
the dim outlines of the interior; when
he was able to do so, he saw that the
hole in the roof had disappeared. lie
lipe1, NATAL, ord nfinf~ fI,n
place, discovered that the aperture had
been plugged from above with frag
mcnt Of stone which fitted accurately
enough to make il appear to be only one
of the rough. inequalities OF the tunnel
roof. When he realized that this had
been done since his visit of few hours
before that those who did it might
even now be i'll the upper gallery, or
hidden in the dusky shadows near at
haDji- "A veTy rr2nic Of terror seized him;
and he thoug...t lie should suffocate be-
fore he could struggle out into the open
air again. Once outside of the tunnel,
he fled down the rough mountain road,
never looking behind him or stopping
to take breath until he was halfway
to the valley; then the stimulus of fear
suddenly left him, and he sat down
upon fallen tree, covering his face
with his hands, and wishing, in his
shame and humiliation, that he had
never been born. He stayed there until
the lengthening shadows warned him
that evening was approaching, and
then, pulling himself together, he rose,
and went slowly back to Tregarthen.
It was nearly dark when he reached the
village, and he found Mrs. Ludlow sit
ting on the veranda.
I'm proud of you, Mr.. Ringbrand,"
she said, as he came up the steps; you
don't deserve to be helped. persuaded
Hester 10 stay to tea and had it al ar
ranged that you were to see her safely
home; and you had to go and spoil /,
all by staying away! Where in the
world have you been?"
81 am very sorry to have failed you.
l took long walk and went farther
than intended to. hope Miss Lati-
lrer did not have to go back aloneY'
RinSbrand's voice was grave, and his
tone was submissively apologize.
No; Tom went up with her. replied
Mrs. Ludlow, going before him into the
dining-room and lighting the lamp.
I'm afraid you won't getmuch for sup
per-" she added, sitting down to pour
his tea.
'More than need--or deserve" he
said. making brave effort to simulate
an appetite for the belated meal.
& Mrs. Ludlow. sitting opposite, no.
ticed tliat he ate next to nothing; and
she saw that something was troubling
Kim. They were old friends. and had
been well acquainted in The days when
Rfngbrand was struggling apprentice
in the literary workshop and Ludlow q
emall-salarlcti clerk in an engineering
office. What is it. Hugh?" she asked
with kindly sympathy; us it anything
about Eeater?"
No; that is, it is nothing that she
has said or done"
Won't yen tell me about it? Per
haps could help you"
~ cant tell you now" he replied
pushing his chair back at the sound Of
Ludlow's step on the veranda. 81 dom
ieel equal to talking tonight, and
hope you will excuse me if go to my
room; I know it's ungracious, but In
in deeper trouble than you imagine
Perhaps can tell you all about it, some