Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-10-31

had elapsed when Smith left the
house, and leisurely made his way
toward the secret still.
Alice watched the stranger close
~, and when Smith had disappeared
she threw shawl over her head
there was an unpleasant chiIlness in
the mountaia air-and followed in
his wake.
The old mill which concealed tie
still was some three-qIarters of
mile from Jonathan's house, and as
Alice proceeded on her way she oc-
casionally caught glimpse Of the
forms of the strange men in the
dense underground, going evidently
in the same direction with herself.
Once a strange man glanced at her
suspiciously, but did not modest her.
He was armed with shotgun, and
took her probably for some one who
was returning from a visit to a
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 soft, golden light. Smith,
the stranger, was standing motion
less in front Of the mill, peering anx-
iously into the dense underground
on both sides of the stream, which
in past days had furnished the mo-
tive power for the now useless
wheel.
Alice Jackson watched Smith in
tently for moment, and then ap-
preached him and laid her hand
gently on his shoulder.
like, why do you hound my faith
er like this = spoke the girl softly.
Smith gazed at his questioner in
startled way for a moment, and
then with an effort recovered his US
ual air of stolid Indifference.
"You know me Alice. had hop.
ed time had wrought such a change
in my nature and looks that mono
would recognize me. You probably
know why am here.
sYou are a revenue officer, and
your presence here at this moment
is to signal your men, who are here
on all sides, to trap my father and
the few men who are in the still."
81 see you know all. When / left
your fathers house, IS / did, like a
beggar and an outcsst, / swore to
ruin him. II / signal now to my
men in the woods, in few minutes
| will have evidence enough to send
him to the penitentiary. 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,
except by goiug with you, and you
never asked me to do that said the
girl feelingly.
"And would you had done so p
Ike did not need an answer TO his
question. In moment he. realized
that he, the hunter of Jonathan
jackson, wss beloved by his daugh-
ter.
In the growing darkness of the
evening the two strolled back to
Jonathan's house, and the men in
the woods, who awaited their lead
er's signal, wondered what change
had taken place in Ike Holland 8
| plans. Jonathan also was disap-
pointed at not seeing Smith at the
still, and after that night he never
saw him there again.
Il hear that AIice'bas. eloped with
that young man who was stopping
here,' said The irresistible Mrs.
Pearl, few days after the events
last narrated. "Somc says that be
was none other than Ike Holland,
though l never did put much conf.
derce indie gossip"
Mrs. Pearl bad heard OF the late
turn in affairs, and had paid Mrs.
jackson a neighborly call to verify
sunday rumors, which interested her
very much.
Eyes, Ike and Alice were married
in Nashville two days ago. answer
ed Jonathan 8 wife.
Sand what does Jonathan say
ruthlessly questioned Mrs. Pearl.
"What can be say 7" and Mrs.
Jackson's eyes snapped resentment
at the question. He's gotten sensi-
Bile at last, and says he would never
have given Ike Holland credit for
courage. Anyway, now that be has
got son-in-law a revenue officer, be
declares he is going to quit keeping
a still and live an honest life. May
be one of these days | may persuade
Jonathan to run down to Nashville
with me, but not just yet. Wash
ingtoa Post.
Now Try This.
1t will cost you nothing and will
surely do you good, if you have a