Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-03-10

ever handled. For ale by DR.. Waters.
heavy trot. The smell of q rank vegeta-
ton filled their nostrils Tall, coarse
coffee weeds s,note them mercilessly
with damp, ghostly fingers. An owl,
disturbed By tho unwonted noises be-
low, lifted itself slowly on heavy wings
and fluttcred, complaining and plaintive,
to safer refuge. The night wind STIR
red the topmost boughs and set them
assigning 1t was not cheerful drive.
Seth thoughts had wandered from the
sullcn boy by his side to Liza.
"I'm feared them weeds II poster her
nightly If I'd had a head with a
pun kin seed, I'd assent out and had
'em chopped down carly this mornin
easy enough"
Strong put out his hand to press the
gaunt knee nearest to him.
Buddy Seth, you've got the biggest
and the most unsclflsh heart in the uni
verse. / did not mean to he sharp with
you little back but havo been wan
dering in dark labyrinth for u month
now to which this weed choked mud
Seth slapped the hand on his kneo
triumphantly.
II knowcd it. l knowed it! You
can't hoodwink the buddy that's been
studyin you ever scnce you was little
curly head chap in short petticoats. But
don't want to force your confidence,
Strong. If you've got anything on your
nf Nd al l. l-a
to share it with Buddy Seth, why just
you heave ahead. But l can wait. I
amt no ways inpatient, boy
From under the shadow of the trees
out into the broad, farreaching fields,
where the white bannerets of the open
cotton swayed softly in their russell
bolls, where the following blades of the
ripened coInstalks rustled against the
sides of the wagon, where much travel
to and from the ginhouses had cut deeper
and more hopelessly into the soft ooze
of the road.
"Sissy won't enjoy this ride as much
rs she used to enjoy travelin over this
very road behind Buddy Seth when the
persimmons was ripe Bless her heart
Couldn't she put away the ripe persim-
mons, though? / hope she amt out
growed all her cute little avs"
Strong did not answer He was not
thinking of Liza. The moment of his
temptation had come to him. He was
wrestling with himself Should he tell
Seth everything? He knew no safer
confidant could be found, but would
it do any good? Would he believe it?
From out the broad, fiat cotton fields
into another and a narrower strip of
woodland, and then out upon the grass
carpeted cliff called the landing, where
far below them, yellow and sluggish,
broad and resistless, the Mississippi riv-
er passed by them on its way to the sea.
Seth drew rein abruptly.
ave might as we'll onhitch right
here and let the beasts Craze round.
Plenty of time to harness up az inst we
see the Deans lights about brakes
bend"
They tethered the beasts to convenient
saplings and left them to their own de-
vices. No sign of human habitation on
their side of the river. Behind them
rose the green wall Of the forest trees
that fringcd the plantation on its water
front. Below them, washing the green
lower slopes of the cliff, the river with
its ceascless throb and flow.
Across the tawny watery expanse the
glimmcring lights of a sleeping hamlet.
Over them an onyx sky, pierced here
and there at far intervals with dia
mond point of light. The time and the
place invited condolences.
First thing fire. told the fellows
on the Dean that we was loOkin for Sis
sy to come Gown with them, and if they
seen light on the cliff they was to put
her out at Ncvitt's. If they didn't sec
no light, they was to carry her on round
the pint to the wharfboat You see, if
it had been rainin tonight, shouldn't
affixed the little thing to take this
ride
The fire was soon lighted, and by the
cracking, leaping flames Seth locked
into Strong's pale troubled face. Two
fallen logs furnished them resting places.
Strong renewed his protfer of a cigar,
which Seth accepted and pulled ut with
vigor bcspeaking unfalniliarity with
tobacco in its most refined manifestation.
you put the lantern in the wagon,
didn't you, Strong?"
Yes"
"Well, then, there amt notEin
more to do but wait, and IL longish wait
it's likely to be-" From under the
sheltering cover of his hat brim he was
scanning Strong's face with the tender
est solicitudc. There were dark circles
about the boys handsome eyes and q
pallor about his temples that didn't
look healthy" all of which might be
laid to the account of overstudy, but
those hard, bitter curves about his
mouth were new and pulling. Across
the flames of the beacon fire Strong flung
glance that was pathetic i'll its per-
plexity. Seth"
Eyes, Strong"
GIVE a great notion to tell you my
trouble, only don't see what good it
will do"
"Just as you please, lad. Don't speak
just to crafty me. Only-if it's any
thing about money, don't BIO feared to
speak out. I've been layin little by
from my wages as fathers helper, to
stock Little Neck, but l amt quite
ready to stock it yet, and if the money'l
be any service to YOU
"It is not about money, Seth. At
least, not the way you think Does Lit
tie Neck really belong to you now?'
"Clean! Not dollar Of debt on it. "
II am glad-very glad You are
worth a dozen of me, old fellow. Shake
hands.
"Pshaw! Givin your old buddy
taffy." But Seth laugh was pleased