The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-05-26

blacklist darkness relgned without.
But the weird shadows which danced
around the walls in the freight were
old acquaintance of the two men in
side, who took no notice of their gro.
tesque pantomime.
Finally the rain ceased, but the
utter blackness still reigned without,
for the clouds hung low down over the
cliffs and the tree tops. For more
than half an hour neither of the men
had spoken. ALI had made discov-
cry, and had been thinking about it.
Bob was in love with Sarey Mauldin,
and ALT loved her himself. 1t seemed
that all three of the partners loved
tho same girl. But ALT and Bob had
seen that Sarey preferred Tom Drake,
and both had secretly resolved not to
come between them, each one ignor-
ant of the fact that the other was max
ing the same sacrifice. New hope had
sprung up in Alf's bosom since Sary
had told him of Toms treachery. Now
he had discovered that Bob loved her.
He resolved to keep the secret Of hie
own love, for Bob's sake; and again
the hope passed from his heart.
When the rain ceased. the two men
arose; and, while one of them dragged
the fire from under the furnace, the
other removed the cap from the still,
and then placed corncob in the
bunghole OF the key that held the
product of distillation.
''Bob, I guess we better move the
still to safer place this very night, !"
suggested Alf.
"Nary a move, Alfl This still has
been here nigh on to seven years, and
here she's agwine to stay"
"All right, if you say SO; I'm not
the man to step off and leave you.
calf, you can tote the key down to
the burnt poplar as you go home, and
I'll stay here till she cools off and
kinder atraighten things up aforeI go.
III meet you at the burnt poplar agin
daybreak in the mornin'."
ALI shouldered the heavy pine key,
and, passing through the doorway, was
soon lost to view in the darkness.
Bob again seated himself on the
bench, with his chin in his hands, and
gave himself up to melancholy reaec.
tions.
ALT had been gone some time, and
the embers that had been raked from
the furnace gave out only q faint glow
to light the interior OF the still house,
when dark form appeared in the
doorway. Bob heard the step, and
instantly sprang to his feet with a re.
volver in his hand, but as suddenly
dropped the weapon and stood back
when he recognized the visitor.
"You, Serey!" me exclaimed. "What
brung you here at this time O. nightp"
"pve come to ginyou warnin', Bob, I"
said the girl, as she threw light shawl
from round her head and advanced
across the earthen floor. The smooth,
round cheeks were glowing from the
exertion of her walk, her eyes shone
brightly in the dim light, and her long,
black hair hung in charming disorder
about her pretty shoulders.
warmth for what?" asked Bob.
"Warnin' agin Tom Drake. Has Ali
been here to-nlghts''
sYes; he's been gone about hall
hour"
"And didn't he tell you about Tom p
eyes; but, sarey, somehow ]
couldn't more'n half believe it,
'But hits so, Bob; he told me SC
hisself. and he's gwine to git you and
Aif fust. I couldn't sleep tonight for
thinking about it, SO I jest got up and
come over here to beg you and ALT to
move your still somewhere else this
very night"
"But can't do it, Sarey; she's been
here long whet. and here she's a.
gwine to stay"
''Oh, Bob, jest to think O. Tom q
turnin' agin' all you uns, and I been
thinkin' O. him as Teller what
would stick by body forever; and
now he's gone and upset it all. I told
him : never would speak to him nc
more. :"
sarey caught up her apron, pressed
it to her face, and began to cry. Boh
looked at her, and choking back q
great lump from his throat, turned
away a step or two, then came back
and laid his big brown hand gently or
the girls arm.
"Don't, Sarey, don't!" he said, $50,
Tom amt with no tears O. yourn. >
He led her to the bench, where she
sat down, and in few moments had
dried her eyes.
sarey," continued Boo, after q
pause, ''Tom amt with nary 'nuthsl
thought o yourn, and / wouldn',
waste 'em on i'm. Thar's plenty OF
us left yit that's sight better r
Tom"
II know it; I only wish I'd {
knowed it sooner"
'Sarey, won't you answer me one
question? B'case think power o
You. and want to know -
COZ course I'll answer any question
you ak, Bob. b'caseyou've alters been SC
good to me, jest like brott err"
"Well. Sarey, tell me which ono o.
the boys you liked the best artel
Tom"
':Why, I alters did like ALI jest a.
well as Tom, but ALI never 'peared te
like me, and Tom did.
Again Bob swallowed a great lumr
that had gathered in his throat.
Calf is good Teller; he'd never 60
back on u.s." he managed to say as hi
arose from the bench, and be an IL
put things to rights about the distil