The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-04-14
"SAREY."
BY CHARLES s. REID.

ader tapped one of the revolvers in
his beltsignificantly. "Iloved Sarey
and Tom-well. I'd hate tc do it, All
but it's him or me thar amt no other
way, as l can see."
Bob arose and "chunked" the fire
under the kettle, then walked around to
the side Of the furnace, where little
white stream OF spirits was pouring
from the end of the protuding "worm"
into long keg.
"How is it?" asked ALI
"Good enough that mash will turn
out all right" said Bob, returning
and seating himself on the bench,
where he again dropped his chin into
his hands, and lapsed into silence.
The rain began to pour down with
sudden fury, the low board roof Civ
ing back melancholy sound to the
patter of the big drops. The thunder
and lightning had ceased, and the
blacklist darkness reigned without
But the weird shadows which danced
around the 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
inter blackness still relgned 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 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 Ali'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 men
arose; and, whilo one of them dragged
the fire from under the furnace, the
other removed the cap from the still,
and then placed a cornoob in the
bunghole of the keg that held the
product of distillation.
bob, guess we better move the
still to safer place this very night, A"
suggested Alf.
mary 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"
"Alf, 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'."
Alf 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 ia his hands, and
gave himself up to melancholy rehec.
tions.
Alf had been gone some time, and
the embers that had been raked from
the furnace gave out only faint glow
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.
yolver in his hand, but as suddenly
dropped the weapon and stood back
when he recognized the visitor.
"You, SareY IT, he exclaimed. "What
brung you here at this time o. night ?"
'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 Yhat?" asked Bob.
"Warnin' agin Tom Drake. Has Alt
been here to-night?"
'Yes; 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; he told me so
hisself, AID he's gwine to git you and
Alf fust. couldn't sleep tonight for
about it, so jest got up and
come over here to beg you and ALI to
move your still somewhere else this
yery night"
"But 1 carr 10 it. Sarey she's been
here long whet. and nero -Bhee 81 q
gwine to stay"
"Oh, Bob, jest to think O. Tom q
turnin' agin' all you uns, and been
a thinkin' O. him as feIler what
would stick by body forever; and
now he's gone and upset it all. told
him never would speak to him no
more"
Sarey caught up her apron, pressed
it to her face, and began to cry. Bob
looked at her, and choking back a
great lump from his throat, turned
away a step or two, then came back
and laid his big brown hand gently on
the girls arm.
"Don't, Sarey, don'tl" he said. "for
Tom amt wuth no tears o. yourn.