Churchill standard. (Fallon, Nev) 1903-1908, 1904-03-12
Our Weekly Short Story
y y Published by Special Arrangement With the American Press Association y y
Inc crazy... she murmured. ~

nne crazy she murmured. HE
couldn't remember his own name start
ed with A. Well. he's gone. and I'm
glad of 1t. | do hate a man that can't
see with his eyes OPEN"
The girl followed the trail to the top
Of the ridge. then turned off to the left
and went toward a cabin on the side
Of the mountain.
As the afternoon dragged along
Marth went oyer and over in her mind
the scene on the river bank. and at
each rehearsal she softened a little to
ward Amos until at last each return
of the wish she had uttered deepened
she feared that her wish might bring
the officers into that part Of the coun-
try. and Amos would indeed be In dan
ger.
But Marth kept herself busy all the
while. trying TO drive out of her mind
the scene and her words under the
branches of the old beech.
At dusk she MIXED the cows. then
went TO the spring for a pail OF water.
As she stood aud began slowly to dip
the water from RTE rocky basin with n
long handled g.sard her quick Ell
.nught the sound of hoof beats against
he stones, and she turned her head
,nd peered through the woods to the
sight of her. Just across n shallow
ravine n trail led around the side of
the mountain. and on this trail Marth's
eyes could now see three shadowy
horses and riders, and there was a
CLEAN of polished metal which told the
girl that each rider had a gun strapped
20 his back.
For a moment Martins heart stood
still. She knew she was gazing upon
the dreaded revenue officers. and her
thoughts flew to Amos. more than
three miles away down the ravine.
where he would soon be at work In the
distillery.
The girl sat motionless until the rid
ers had passed n bowlder which pro-
truded from the hillside. Then she
seized her pail and ran up the trail to
the cabin. There was but one thought
In her bend. Amos must be warned
and saved ut any cost. Saddllng n
small mule which she led from the sta
BILE. she leaped upon his back. dragged
q shotgun up after her and rested II
upon the animals neck. Then she set
off alons n trail which dlverged from
that taken by the officers.
The mule was soon urged into d trot.
and this pace he was forced to keep up
down the rugged. water worn trail
through the darkness of the deep
woods. Marth sat like a statue on the
animals back. with her ears strained
to catch the least sound and her eyes
wide open for any sign of the officers.
The murkiness of the woods seemed to
hold no terrors for her. She was think
ing OF the unrighteous wish she had
uttered TO Amos.
At last she reached n high rock over
looking a blum. and she stopped and
listened lntently. Then. slipping down
from the saddle. she crept into a laurel
thicket on one side Of the rock and aft
er q few minutes came out In the glare
of n furnace fire. She was ut the door
way of Amos Underwood's stillhouse.
Springing through the opening. she
called his NAME. Amos turned quickly.
and his hand Grasped the butt Of a re-
volver. but when he saw Marth he al
lowed his chin to drop to his breast.
and his hand fell Imply to his side.
Have ye brought 'em, Martin he
asked.
mo. Amos. but they're comm. an
I've come all the way here to warn We
SOS ye could save yerself. I'm sorry
for what I said. though | didn't reckon
I'd EVER own It,"
"Marth, IL reckon. then, We Go love
me some. though We did start to
carve
amos, jest plain Amos, on that tree.
l reckon A stands for Amos. don't 1t.
crazy"
"Marth. I've been n gum fool! But
I'm powerful happy right now"
He extended his arms toward Marth.
but the girl backed away.
mo time for that, Amos. Don't ye
hear them hoof beats?'
The moonshiner caught the girfs
hand. and together they sprang into
the laurel. Five minutes later they
stood on the rock above the stillhouse
and listened to the work Of destruction
that was being carried on by the raid
ers' axes.
well. ye're safe anyhow, Amos
whispered Marth. and Amos, catching
her In his arms tousled her hair with