Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-11-26

looked back.
"Oh. Matthew, see! our house is on
fire.
The battle resulted in victory to the
Federal forces. Matthew Dixon did
not return to his plantation until after
the victorious army had gone. Among
the charred timbers and the ashes or
the home he had loved. he found the
scorched and smoky iron chest which
had contained his sisters money ana
watch, but the chest had been burst
open. The money and watch were
gone. At that moment the blacklist
thoughts Of his entire life flashed
through Matthew Dixon's brain, and
the bitterest hatred ranked in his
heart.
In that part Of West Virginia where
several of the tributaries to the ONO
River have their source, stands Tur-
key Mountain with it's densely wooded
sides, its dark, intricate glades and Its
bare, rock covered summit frowning
upon the country round about. Tur-
key Mountain was considered dan
gerous regioni in fact. few dared to
venture into those wilds. Some did
venture there, but they never return
ed Turkey Mountain hated raiders,
and 1t would fight them to man. Old
Mat Dixon was desperate character,
and he ruled Turkey Mountain with
an iron will. He had long defied the
revenue laws. and many expert Off
GERS. who had endeavored to locate
DiXon's still, are buried somewhere In
those dark, silent woods.
Twilight was deepening when
woman in plain attire came out Of
Mat Dixon's log house, crossed the
narrow field to the edge of the forest
and, peerng down the mountain path,
paused and listened. Placing her hands
to her mouth, she called. "Ho, Bess"
From the woods, the shrill notes of a
whippoorwill burst on the evening air.
That was the only response to her
call.
Strange what keeps the gal" she
said, as she returned to the house.
The moon rose, bright and full. Save
the occasional cry of some night bird
and the incessant sound of myriad in
sects, Il deep silence pervaded the vast
forest.
Far down the mountain side Bess
Dixon fingered with her lover. Their
acquaintance had been brief, their
meetings had been clandestine. The
girl did not dare let Her father know
of her intimacy with this man. In
the passionate fervor of her first love
she had not considered what had lured
Arthur Hedges, her lover, to this rug
ged wilderness. She was blind to all
facts save that he loved her. OF this
she was certain. and she trusted him
implicitly. She had told him that she
was moOnshiners daughter and he
had clasped her in his arms and hush
ed away her fears. telling her that 1t
mattered not. so long as she loved
him.
The night was well advanced when
they drew near her home.
I'VE cannot always keep our secret,
sweetheart" he was telling her II
shall be discovered, sooner or later If
l remain among these hills"
Il should die were you to leave me,
now" she said.
Then he drew her to him and their
lips met.
There, there, don't talk that way
Bess. 1t Is not safe for me to go far
Their with you tonight. Now hasten
home Be at the ford to morrow" he
said.
With her lovers kiss still warm on
her lips, she hurried to her home, the
happiest girl in all that mountain re-
giOn.
The sun had begun its westward de-
cline as Bess Dixon FASTENED down
the mountain side on the following
day. She had not gone far when a
stepped into the path before her.
"Wha' yer goin' ter, Bess?" he ask
ed.
That's no affair Of yours, Tom
Savage. Get out Of the path, and let
me pass"
Reckon We think don't know that
ye're goin' ter meet tibet Yankee. l
knowed all along tibet yer was sweet
on him, but I reckon yer won't meet
him ter day"
Mind your own business and let
me pass" cried the girl, with flashing
eyes.
II reckon yer won't feel so dog
goned pert when yer learn tibet yer
Yankee lover is revenue spy, tibet he
was caught last night tryin ter git in
ter yer dads still, and tibet he lays
bound in Poll Wingate's cabin now,
waitin' fer yer dad ter come back.
We'd a fixed him last night only we
thought best ter wait fer Mat Dixon.
When yer learn tibet yer Yankee lover
was using We fer tool ter help him
git yer dad in ter the revenues hands,
l reckon yerll feel little kinder ter
| people who've cared for ye from yer
cradle up"
TON Savage, you lie,' she cried,
| conscious Of pain she had never be-
| fore known.
t.. lf,,f how