Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-08-20

"Partly; but there was something
that prevented me-something that,
perhaps. should have made me keep
silent to-day. You remember what we
were saying about personal courage;
I thought then that was born cow
ard, and I'm not entirely sure of the
contrary yet"
She held him off at arms length and
looked at him with loving pride kin
ding in her bcautifuleyes. 'Itis like you
to talk that way. after what you did last
night-fathcr has told me all about it;
and. besides, saw you try to save that
mans life at the risk of your own-and
after he had tried to kill you, tool"
THAT was nothing but common hu-
manity," he answered quietly. "You
don't know how had to cling to that
tree there to keep from running away
just before the Bynums rode up"
II don't believe a single word of it."
she asserted calmly, MS he led her to
seat on the wide rustic settle at the end
of the vcranda; and then sudden
Glcam OF common sense came to him in
the thought that perhaps it might be
wise not to argue the point with her,
then or ever.
They were married in the little
church in Tregnrthen a week after the
trial of Jed and Budd Bynum, and the
Lutlows gave them wedding break
fast in the cozy little dining-room Of
the house on the hill before they start
ed on their journey northwnrd. Ring
brand was in his room, hurriedly pack
ing his valiscs. and Ludlow ran up to
tell him that there was still plenty Of
time in which to catch the train.
"Whcn arc you coming south again,
Hugh?" he asked, pacing the floor of
the small apartment with his hands in
his pockets.
"Oh, I don't know; whenever Hester
gets homcsick, suppose"
well, I can't promise you fight
or wedding the next time you come,
but Wen try to keep you interested in
some way. BY the way, Hugh, it was
generous of you not to prefer charge
of murder against those fellows for
trying to kill you in the cave"
ut was quite unnecessary; thirty
year sentence is severe enough to sat
isfy n more vindictive person than l
ever aspire to be. Besides. you for
got that it was jeff who did the shoot
ing, and his fate was sufficiently hor.
rible.'
ut was, indeed; and that makes me
think--1 saw the sister at the trial. l
wonder what has become of her?"
"She has gone to her uncle in Texas
Are you sure of that?'
EYES for sent her" -
"You?"
"Ycs'
"And she didn't try to kill you be-
fore she lcft?"
"Gh, no; she was too sorrowful to
think of vengeance. Besides, l think
rhe did me the justice to believe that
| acted fniry.'
Ludlow purScd his lips and whistled
softly, continuing his restless march
while Ringbrnnd fastened the last
strap. Suddenly he stopped in his
walk and regarded the younger man
with look of quizzical curiosity.
11upn. w llal - pctOIliS VI 'ii.'p '''A
of yours about personal courage and
such thngs?"
~ told YOU once that / hoped / had
lett it. in the hole on the mountain. l
think it is still there" was the quiet re-
ply, and they went down to the waiting
bridal party.
The accommodation train swung
slowly around the curve below Trcgar-
then, and the Intervening spur OF the
mountain shut out the last view of the
fittlc village and its smoking furnace.
Ringbrand closed the window when the
cindcrs began to blow in, and. looking
around the dingy interior of the car
thought of that other eventful journey
taken in the same vehicle. He bent
toward the small pink car at his shoul-
der and whispcrcd: "Do You know
whcrcl :irst began to love you, llester?'
no" she answered, drawing her
veil DOM so that she could blush com
fortablT.
1T was right here; you were sitting
in this very scat. only it was turned the
other way. saw you get on the train
at Chilwanee, and ran after you like a
school-boy. That was the beginning OF
it,"
And the end is not yet.