Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-03-27

patter of the big drops. The thunder
and lightning had ceased, and the
blackest darkness reigned without.
But the weird shadows which danced
around tho walls in the freight were
old acquaintances 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. ALT had made discov-
cry, and had been thinking about it.
Bob was in love with Sarey Mauldin,
and Alf loved her himself. 1t seemed
that all three of the partners loved
the same girl. But ALI 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 his
own love, for Bob's sake; and again
the hope passed from his heart.
When the rain ceased, the two mon
arose; and, while one of them dragged
the fire from under the furnace, the
other removed the cap from the still.
and then placed a corncob in the
bunghole OF the keg that held the
product of distillation.
"Bob, guess we better move the
still to a safer place this very night, "
suggested ALT.
"Nary 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 keg down to
the burnt poplar as you go home, and
I'll stay here till she 'cools off and
kinder straighten things up afore go.
I'll meet you at the burnt poplar agin
daybreak in the mornin'."
ALI shouldered the heavy pine keg,
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.
ALI had been gone some time, and
the embers that had been raked from
the furnace gave out only faint g low
to light the interior OF the still house,
when a dark form appeared in the
doorway. Bob heard the step, and
instantly sprang to his feet with re-.
volver in his hand, but as suddenly
dropped the weapon and stood back
when he recognized the visitor.
"You. Sarey! ne exclaimed. "What
brung you here at this time O night p
'I've come to gin you warnin'. Bob, "
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.
"Warnin' for what?" asked Bob.
"Warnin' agin Tom Drake. Has All
been here to.nightT
Eyes; he's been gone about half
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; lie told me sc
hisself, and he's gwine to git you and
Alt fust. Icouldn't sleep tonight fol-
thinking about it, so jest got up and
come over here to beg you and ALI 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 been
thinkin' O. him as Teller what
would stick by body forever; and
now he's gone and upset it all. Itold
him ! never would speak to him nc
more"
Sarey caught up her apron, pressed
it to her face, and began to cry. Bot
looked at her, and choking back {
great lump from his throat. turned
away q step or two, then came bacl
} and laid his big brown hand gently OF
the girls arm.
"Don't, Sarey, don't" he said, "fol
Tom amt wath no tears O. yourn.
He led her to the bench, where sh,
sat down, and in few moments hae
dried her eyes.
"Sarey," continued Bob. after ,
pause, "Tom amt with nary 'nuthel
thought O. yourn, and wouldn'
waste 'em on i'm. Thar's a plenty OIL
us left yit that's sight better =
, Tom"
"I know it; I only wish I'd I
knowed it sooner"
"Sarey, won't you answer me on
question? B'case I think power o
, you. and want to know"
? "Of course I'll answer any question
Won Ak, Bob, b'casey you've alters been 81
good to me, jest like brother.
!. "Well, Sarey, tell me which ono o
/. the bows YOU liked the best arte
r Tom"
"Why, I alters did like ALI Jest q
q we'll as Tom, but ALI never 'peared t
, like me, and Tom did.
. Again Bob swallowed great lum,
, that had gathered in his throat
; "Alf is good feller; he'd never g,
back on u.s." he managed to say as b
arose from the bench, and began I,
, put things to rights about the distil
|, iery. His task completed. he turne,
> to Sarey. who stood in the doorway
, .'rn walk home with you," he said.
When Bob bade Sarey good nigh