The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-04-08
sun, COUNTY. FRIDAY. APRIL 8. 1893

DS dhCo SollCCI, you uOu huOW-
how much it makes me" the last two
words were whispered to the lapel of his
coat, but he heard them and folded
her in his arms. After the rapturous
interval, he asked: "And did you think
] was very conventional"
81 used to; the people in your stories
always seem to do just the right thing
at the right time. Tell me, did you
ever make one of your heroes say any
thing like-like you did few minutes
ago?"
Heaven Forbid" he answered fer
vently; "but then one can always imag-
inc better things than he can do.'
There was another eloquent interval,
end then she looked up again. "Was
that what you meant to tell me the
night you went away?"
"Partly; but there was something
that prevented me-something that,
perhaps. should have made me keep
silent to-day. You remember what we
were saying about personal courage;
] thought then that l was a born cow
ard, and I'm not entirely sure of the
contrary yet"
She held him off at arms length and
looked at him with loving pride kim
ding in her beautiful eyes. ut is like you
to talk that way, after what you did last
night-father has told me all about it;
and, besides, saw you try to save that
mans life at the risk of your own-and
after he had tried to kill you, tool"
THAT was nothing but common hui
manity," he answered quietly. "You
don't know how I had to cling to that
tree there to keep from running away
just before the Bynums rode up"
81 don't believe a single word of it, -
she asserted calmly, as he led her to a
seat on the wide rustic settle at the end
of the veranda; and then sudden
gleam of common sense came to him in
the thought that perhaps it might be
wise not to argue the point with her,
then or ever.
They were married in the little
church in Tregarthen a week after the
trial of Jed and Budd Bynum, and the
Ludlows gave them a wedding break
fast in the cozy little dining-room of
the house on the hill before they start
ed on their journey northward. Ring
brand was in his room. hurriedly pack
ing his valises, and Ludlow ran up to
tell him that there was still plenty of
time in which to catch the train.
when are you coming south again,
Hugh?" he asked, pacing the fuor Of
the small apartment with his hands in
his pockets.
"Oh, don't know; whenever Hester
gets homesick, suppose"
SWELL, can't promise you fight
or wedding the next time you come,
but We'll try to keep you interested in
some way. BY the way, Hugh. it was
generous of you not to prefer charge
of murder against those fellows for
crying to kill you in the cave
1T was quite unnecessary; thirty
year sentence is severe enough to sat
isfy a more vindictive person than l
ever aspire to be. Besides. you for
got that it. was left uho did the shoot
ing, and his fate was sufficiently hor-
rible.'
"It was, indeed; and that makes me
think-I saw the sister at the trial. I
wonder what has become of her?"
''She has gone to her uncle in Texas"
"Are you sure of that?"
Eyes, for sent her."
"You?"
"Yes."
'And she didn't try to kill you be-
fore she left?"
''Oh, no; she was too sorrowful to
think of vengeance. Besides, think
she did me the justice to believe that
l acted fairly"
Ludlow pursed his lips and whistled
softly, continuing his restless march
while Ringbrand fastened the last
strap. Suddenly he stopped in his
walk and regarded the younger man
with look of quizzical curiosity.
Hugh, what's become of that little fad
of yours about personal courage and
such things?"
81 told you once that 1 hoped had
left it in the hole on the mountain. I
think it is still there" was the quiet re-
ply, and they went down to the waiting
bridal party.
The accommodation train swung
slowly around the curve below Tregar-
then, and the intervening spur of the
mountain shut out the last view of the
iittle village and its smoking furnace.
Ringbrand closed the window when the
cinders began to blow in, and, looking
around the dingy interior of the car.
thought of that other eventful journey
taken in the same vehicle. He bent
toward the small pink ear at his shoul-
der and whispered: "Do you know
where 1 first began to love you, Hester?"
NO" she answered, drawing her
veil down so that she could blush COM
fortably.
sit was right here; you were sitting
IN this very seat, only it was turned the
other way. saw you get on the train
at Chilwanee. and ran after you like
school-boy. That was the beginning of
it,"
And the end is not yet.
TIE END.