St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1896-06-27

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VIOLET rrsNeel1I'IT|I%r|tit n
COPYRIGHT. 1851
A sky Of ragged gray clouds. through
which peeped fitfully crescen. moon.
showing the figure Of a young girl who.
~ she ran fleet footed over a stony road.
wore q crimson shawl drawn snugly
about her shoulders; and. from under
IN old straw hat that had been blown
askew by the wind, escaped a curling
mass Of chestnut hair.
Behind her stretched a wido sweep Of
gently undulating country, sparsely
dotted at rare intervals by dwellings:
while, like the diamonds in a marquist.
ring, flashed the lights from small
neighboring settlement, known as Gar
rvs Corners
he 9fFf's eyes wandered neither to
right or left, but were fixed. with breath
less impatience, upon desolate-look-
ing frame structure, standing directly
in front of her. on the brow of hill.
Pushing open the gate, Alice Deering
made her way hastily to the kitchen
door, on which she raped sharply.
Mother! Mother!" called she, &C.
centuating her knocking with urgent
voice. LET me in, quick!"
A woman, whose dark eyes flashed
like beacon lights from under heavy
brows, opened the door and stood peer
ing out into the darkness. Back OF her.
burned with uneven flame
"You're late" she muttered, fretful-
". .Ve've had supper long ago. You
shouldn't stay out SO long. Anice."
The girl pushed aside the lean arm
which her mother-in-law had stretched
across the door, and elbowing her way
into the house, turned the key in the
lock.
''Mother!" she gasped. 1--WE got
dreadful news; don't know how to tell
It."
For q moment she leaned against the
wall, clutching at the old red shawl and
struggling for breath; then, between
eobs, she poured forth her story.
.'Thcy're coming! There is not a
doubt of it. I've just heard the whole
thing. You know that big oak tree in
front of the post office? ! was stand
ang behind it, reading letter, when
Judge Daily passed; ard Just then john
Halloran came out of the office. They
whispered together, not two feet from
where stood. and heard every word. y
Mrs. Deering's face had been as
Aushed as that of her daughter-in-law,
but il suddenly became pale; her nos
Erils quivered as when war horse
scents battle from afar.
.-Quick!" she commanded. Tell me
everything. Is Roger in danger?"
''They are not satisfied with the ac-
uuital," walled Anice; 'they say-oh!
they say that Roger murdered Davis in
eold blood, and they will take the law in
their own hands, this very n ght."
..This = very = night" echoed the
elder woman, with startleAl emphasis.
She turned, and as if in a dlaze threw
wood ON the fire, adding sharply, as the
flames leaped up: 'They shall not have
him."
A responsive flash lighted, from the
blue eyes of Deering'
.sWell die first" said she. flinging
aside her crimson shawl.
1--WE run all the way home, and
MANNED rs l run. We will save him.
Don't lose heart, mother"
'.He's upstairs in the north chamber
reading" returned Mrs. Dcersng. "He
has . light burning! on't.know bu,
n should be out"
lnl - l~,.S
imperative voice. "Roger!"
a door at the head of the stairs
onened quickly, and mans deep-toned
response was heard.
..Put your lamp out and come down
II once" cried the mother. Her tall
angular figure seemed to have suddenly
eti1fened and assumed greater height,
Hhe resembled a grenadier.
Presently q fair-haired young man,
Nth : smoothly-shawen. almost boyish
lace, ran lightly down the creaking
stairs.
He paused on the lowest step, gazing
q blank astonishment at the excited
faces Of the women.
Mother! Anice!" he cried. "What
has happened? Are you"
Anice darted forward, and interrupt.
- her husband, laid . firm, white hand
upon his arm.
aRoeer! I've overheard Daily and
1ohn Halloran talking. They are plan.
,,ln~ to revenge Davis; your life is in
S 1eneer. Wait-don't hinder me-
nust tell you the whole thing. Oh!
1aower! They are coming tonight to
.lrsx you from me-and-and-" She
~.ened at tSs last word, but bravely
SeCen again. Listen! Mother and
mi eave you. 1t is too light to Ret
.-av now. That must be given up
M, you know the old chest in thc
9asret, where mother packed your f.
eserss clothes after he died. You mus,
,-eke air holes in the lid, cover yourself
S -ifh some Of the clothing. and lie still
1ts large enough"
60 raMsed again. breathing heavily
r. tle lrelight Mrs. Deering's black
- Anshed, like those of . panther
s -1ont 10 spring. She stood resting ont
nr.d upon her hips. and the othel
.6alm Hat, upon her cheek.
yiung man leaned with foldet
uns against the wall. and the rex
s,ieod showed easily through his fai
IS .srtn. Aamed in crimson patches ON hi,
- ~ III wife stopped in her torrent o
...eH. - caught up her words; bu
5 zzz.<s,1s - forced him into silence.
6 1poe6QtI o. eoerees ] know yos