The Louisiana populist., 1896-11-06

Probabaly some twenty minutes had
elapsed when Smith left the house and
leisurely made his way toward the Sc
cret still. Alice watched the stranger
closely, and when Smith had disappear.
ed she threw shawl over her head
there was an unpleasant chilliness 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 proceed
ed on her way she occasionally caught
a glimpse of the forms Of strange men
in the dense underground, going evil
IDENTIFY in the same direction with her.
self. Once a strange man glanced at
her suspiciously, but did not molest her.
He was armed with shotgun, and took
her probably for some one who was re-
turning 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 noun
tains, leaving faint glare in its wake,
which lit up the scene with a soft gold
en- light. Smith, the stranger, was stand
ing mOtionless in front of the mill, peer
ing anxiOusly now and then into the
dense underground on both sides of the
stream, which in past days had furnish
ed the motive power for the now USE
less wheel. Alice Jackson watched
Smith intently for a moment, and then
approached him and laid her hand gen.
tly on his shoulder.
Ike, why do you hOunG my father like
this?' spoke the girl, softly.
Smith gazed at his questioner in q
startled way for moment, and then
with an effort recovered his usual air
of stolid Indifference
You know me, Alice I had hoped
time had wrought such a change in my
nature and looks that none would rec
ognize me. You probably know why I
am here"
You are a 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 I left
your fathers house, as did like beg
gar and an outcast, swore to ruin him.
If / signal now to my men In the woods
In few minutes l will have the evil
dence necessary to send him to the peni-
tentiary. 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,
feelingly.
"And would you, had done so?"
Ike did not need an answer to his
question. In 4 moment he realized that
lie, the hunter of Jonathan 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 signal, wondered |
what changes had taken place in Ike |
Hollands plans. Jonathan also was dis. |
appointed in not seeing Smith at the
still, and after that night he never saw
him there again.
"Ihear that Alice has eloped with that |
young man who was stopping here"
said the irrepressible Mrs. Pearl, a few
days after the events last narrated.
Some says as he was nobody other
than Ike Holland, though I never did
put much confidence in idle gossip"
Mrs. Pearl had heard of the late turn
in affairs, and had paid Mrs. Jackson
a neighborly call to verify sundry ru-
mors which interested her very much
"Yes, Ike and Alice were married in
Nashville two days ago." answered JON
athan's wife,
"And what does Jonathan sayY ruth
lessly 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 a son-in-law
4 revenue officer he declares he is going
to quit keeping a still and live an honest
life. Maybe one of these days 1 may
persuade Jonathan to run down to
Nashville with me, but not just yeti
Post.