Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-24

The inn was still brightly lighted and
number of curious Villagers hung about.
Mr.. Malloy came forth with valse and
bag, and, with hardy spoken word, took
his seat beside Mr.. Lane and in three min
utes Asholt was left behind. In low tone
and at intervals Mr.. Malloy sought to en-
gage Lane IN conversation. but the replies
of that gentleman We're brief and uninvit-
ing. Evidently the lawyer preferred his
own thoughts. especially as Malioy d"Tel-
oped desire to speak of the stricken judge
and the possible causes of the sudden SeiZ-
ure. Then Malloy essayed some CHEEKY
remarks about the finely matched team
speeding like clockwork along the hard
beaten pike, and their driver bowed his
head in civil acGuiescence to his tentatives.
but he, too seemed to prefer silence. r ma :
ly as they began the ascent Of the Hardin
hills and were winding slowly UP a steep
grade, the young man rendered cigars to MS
companions. which were civilly declined,
and lighting a match on the broad back OF
the negro in front of him, Mr.. Malloy SUD
sided into silence. The road became steep
in places and rough and rocky. Evidently
they had quit the pike and We're on sol
cross-country track Thick darkness sur
rounded them on every side, hut Norman
drove steadily. confidently on. For ten min
utes or the pace was slow, the road
tortuous.
Short cut, Norman?' asked Lane, in
low tone.
Saves six miles at least. The pike goes
clear round the east end of the range.
Dlmly. under the StarESnt. as tHtN loDk'n
about them and pulled the blankets closer
as the air grew keener. they could dis
Germ the ghostIy shapes of little frs and ce-
dars Sometimes a scrub oak scraped a
branch or swished its leaves along the
wheels, showing how narrow was the path
"a mere cart track through the gap. There
were bends and twists and turns, which
they followed at a walk. Thrice on tht
northward, downward slope they splashed
through some swift-running brook and, at
last turning into a broader lane among
black shapes Of barns and corncribs, Nor
man touched up his team and again they
bowled swiftly on.
SHELBY gap. you call that Norman
questioned Lane. That's trick worth
knowing when mans in hurry and
needs the shortest road. What l marvel
at Is how you can follow II in such pitchy
darkness
We'll, most of my life has been spent SO
far, riding through these hills and dales.
was the quiet answer 81 think L know
every path that leads to Asholt or home,
and love every rod of them. It's all plain
sailing now from here to Bardstown, but
| believe there very few men this side
,, of the hills who could guide you through
them to our side, night dark as this.
You see. they have little occasion to come
our way. They have their own railway into
the junction and good broad pike east to
Harrodsburg and Lexington. We are round
on the other spur of the road with the
hills between us There's as little going to
and fro across that range behind US as
there is over the Cumberi2ndS.
you know your state better than most
men know their home city" said Lane.
May the Lord keep Kentucky from the
blunders they're making farther south"
Amen" said Norman gravely. with
all his wrath over the result of the cleo
| ton, father says kentucky will never Sc
cede''
There was a moments silence. NAL
10y, listening to their drivers words, in
terested in spite Of himself In what this
new and unlooked-for possibility among his
rivals might have to say, was yet thinking
how unerringly they had been borne
through that tortuouS gap to the open
skies and beaten roads of the northern side.
Now, at the mention of secession and what
might be the result, he waited, eXpectant.
There was something he much wished to
| know, but silence again fell upon the party.
Malloy then bent forward and broke 1t
with significant query.
And If Kentucky should secede, 1 sup
| pose every good Kentuckian would go with
herr"
There was something perilous,y like q
fatIt sneer in the tone; something. at all
/ events, that Lane himself noted with re-
| almost as did the words of the cadet lieu
| tenant he had challenged and fought not
! three months agone, something almost like
! dare" that in boyhood days every lad OF
| spirit so surely resented. Moreover, to the
sensitive borderer, southern In temperament,
i sympathies and mode Of life, yet devoted to
| the union Of states and loyal to the nag,
| the question meant far more. 1t involved
| infinitely graver sacrifices. whichever way
| the decision went than was the case with
those whose homes were farther north or