The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-06-12

blacklist darkness reigned without.
But the weird shadows which danced
around the walls in the freight were
old acquaintance of the two men in
side, who ttok no notice of their gro
tesqus pansomime.
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 ALI 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 Bots 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 keg that held the
product of distillation.
"Bob, 1 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 of and leave YOU"
cali, 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
day break 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 refec.
tons.
ALI 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-
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. night9"
give come to gin you warnin', Bob, v
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.
'sWarnin' for what?" asked Bob.
"Warnin' agin Tom Drake. Has AL
been here to-night?"
-"Yes; he's been gone about a hall
hour"
"And didn't he tell you about Tom?'
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
ALI fust. couldn't sleep tonight fol
thinking about it, go jest got up and
come over here to beg you and ALI te
move your still somewhere else this
very night"
''But cant do it, Sarey; she's beer
here long whet, and here she's a.
gwine to stay"
"Oh, Bob, jest to think O. Tom {
turnin' agin' all you uns, and 1 beer
thinkin' O. him as a Teller wha
would stick by q body forever; anc
now he's gone and upset it all. Itolt
him ] never would speak to him M
more"
Sarey caught up her apron, pressed
it to her face, and began to cry Boil
looked at her, and choking back I
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. $50
Tom amt wuth no tears O. yourn.
He led her to the bench, where sh'
sat down, and in few moments hat
dried her eyes.
ssSarey," continued Bob, after
pause, "Tom amt wuth nary 'nuthel
thought O. yourn, and I wouldn'
waste 'em on i'm. Thar's plenty OF
us LETT yit that's sight better i
Tom"
81 know it; I only wish I'd
knowed it sooner"
'';oarey. won't you answer me on
question:? B'case think power O
you, and want to know"
''Of course I'll answer any question
you az, Bob, -b'caseyou've alters been s.
good to me, jest like brott err"
"Well. Sarey. tell me which one o
the boys you liked the best arte
Tom"
"Why, alters did like ALI jest a
well as Tom, but Alf never 'peared t.
like me, and Tom did,"
Again Bob swallowed a great luml
that had gathered in his throat.
ssAlf is good Teller; he'd never &,
hanlr On no lo rnaraond IN COW as h