The Delta independent., 1897-02-17

upon feminine curiosity knew not
whereof he spake. As compared with
the greed for enlightenment which as
sails the masculine mind ut the bare
scent Of q mystery, the curiosity of
woman In but q sedlative. Philip was
no exception to the rule governing his
sex, and the pathos in Elsic's voice was
becoming quite irresistible.
Tell me about him." he urged; ~1sl
promise anything you can ask n fke
way of secrecy and discretion;" "a,
as she still hesitated. he did not scruple
to lay n snare in her way by adding:
I'm quite prepared for the WORT you
can say; I'll be dumb even II you-telI
me thot the old man b an escaped MUIR
derer."
"Oh, no, mol" she said, quickly; ut
isn't anything like that! lie did wrong
in the first place, but that was years
and years ago, and he didn't under
SO mean to him!"
81 think you'd better tell me about
it," said Philip, gravely; "if you don't,
! may imagine it's worse than 1t really
is, you kI.ow."
If Elsie did not answer at once It wus
not because she was afraid to trust
Thorndyke, but rather for the reason
that the daughter of James Duncan
could rot well help inhcritiDg soEle-
thing OF his cautious habit. At length
she said: "Perhaps you could think
Of some way to help him; I'll tell you
the story. but you mustn't say anything
about it ot home till after I've toll
father. Let's move lack n little way,
20 he can't see us from down there"
They retrcatch few steps from the
brow Of the cliff and Elsie sat down upon
log, while Philip stretched himself
upon the grass at her feet.
1.-THE trouble commenced long time
ago, when the mountaineers used to
make whisky and sell it to the valley
people," abe began. "They knew II
was against the law, but don't think
they cared much about that, and, any
way, they kept on till one time the
revenue officers ruided the mountain.
| At that time John Kilgrow was living
on little farm over yondcr where you
see the old orchard, and for years he
had been in the habit of making q few
gallons Of apple brandy from the apples
that he couldn't sell. I'm sure he never
thought he was doing wrong; and
father says he never sold any Of the
brandy, though he used TO give II AWAY.
sometimes, to his neighbors. Besidrs'
the place up here, he owned n farm In
the big valley, and that was rented out
TO a man by the name of Gates.
Father say. Gates always had bad
name; he used to encourage the noun
taineers to make whisky, and then he
would help them sell It in the valley.
He was owing Mr.. Kilgrow two or
three years. back rent at the time Of
the raid, and to get out Of paying be
told the deputy cons<able-or what
| ever you call him-that Mr.. Kilgrow
made brandy, offering to show him the
house and the STILL"
"rbe internal wretch!-I beg your
pardon-I didn't mean TO be profane
Pleose 60 on"
Gates did what he aid he would
but he was sharp enough TO see that
Mr.. Kilgrow might get clenr II he wa,
taken, or that he himself might be ar
rested as . witness; 20 he went to Mr.
Kilgrow first and pretended to wan
him - . friend. Did you ever hear oi
such . mean thing7"
| "Nevef. hope IL didn't succeed"
eyes, IL did: IL all turned out just q
| Gates had planned. The revenue mes
surrounded the house. but Mr.. Kilgrov