St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1905-05-10
Hiss LeSage.
Conclusion of .Tohn e. Harris Southern
sketch.

| mountain roads leads TO ana through
what's locally known as Dark Corners. "
1t is not hamlet, only crossroad, and
only one residence is in sight. Here reside
the Durhams, father, mother and two
sons. Here they have lived turbulent
life, made up OF making illicit whiskey and
fighting off the always meddlesome
federal officials. Government spies in
and out OF disguise have invaded the
grewsome Dark Corners country, and
some of them have never returned. Those
who came out of the wilderness alive
have gone and remained away. Sheriff's
posses have invaded the Durham preserve
and those who could return have done
so. A dozen murders are attributed to
the family, but the well. known residents
of the vicinity leave them alone and are
not moIested. The family, or individual
members of it, go to the neighboring
villages frequently to trade, and are on
excellent terms with the merchants and
neighbors generally.
If a stranger wishes to pass over the
highway past the Corners he must pass
examination day or two in advance
and obtain permission. If the examlna-
ton is unsatisfactory, he is told to keep
away. If he doesn't and persists in
making the trip be gets lost and his team
comes back without him. One Of the
sons, both of whom are fine looking
young men, stays at the nearest Village
to purchase supplies and ship the product,
while the other remains at home and
assists in the evolution OF unlawful
whiskey. The latter some years ago
was sent north to school and graduated
from northern college. So much for
Ozark Corners" as one OF the natural
attractions of this peaceful little village
up among the pines.
Two or three OF the guests at the hotel
had succeeded in obtaining permission to
visit the Durham home, and came back
days adventure. The LADY guests cid
not drive on that particular road, and,
although they were full OF curiosity, did
not let that overbalance their fear
of possible consequences. With the excep-
tion of myself.
AS the wonder grew l decided to secure
permission and establish a precedent.
| haven't as much curiosity as some
women, but it will occasionally crop out,
undtr pressure. So | went to the post
office for my mail after breakfast and in
cidentally called on young Mr.. Durham,
who had his Office in one of our stores, Tor
permission to drive over to the Corners
the following Saturday. He courteously
assented, being assured by variety of
reasons that was not government
spy, but incidentally asked if proposed
to drive over alone.
Ireplied that expected to but might
induce one of the lady guests at the
hotel to accompany me. He considered
for moment, and said that it would
probably make no difference. &c. with
a real object in lie returned to the hotel
and tried to wait patiently for Saturday.
had in mind all the time to invite
Miss LeSage to accompany me, to see if
| could not arouse in her some semblance
of interest in her surroundings. had
not mentioned the place or its people to
her previously, and neither had anyone
else. simply asked her to go driving
with me Saturday, and during the trip
proposed to give her surprise as to
the character of our destination.
spoke to her on the subject that even
ing as we sat in our corner on the piazza,
and after moment she replied in her
absent minded way that she would be
glad to go if cared to have her. She
then relapsed into her usual condition of
abstraction, and soon after retired to her
| room.
Saturday morning finally came in sum
shine, and after breakfast our carriage,
behind "safe" horse, came to the door.
I was ready, and Miss LeSage came
| down, dressed in her customary black
and we were of. The drive through the
wooded glens and among the wild flowers
was most delightful, and after an hour
we came in sight of the ancestral home
oithe Durhams. tits prosperous looking
farm, with neat white house, and bears
every evidence Of thrift and industry. l
| SOuid hOI DSASFC LHdI ~ pdoIOI al SCCuC
could be so wet with blood as this had
frequently been, and the realization OF
our proximity to the home of outlaws
and murderers gave me decidedly queer
sensation. | had not yet divulged to
Miss LeSage where we were, keeping it
for surprise when we had passed, and
so subdued my mingled emotions.
AS we were about to pass the house
young Edward Durham came swiftly
down the walk and said:
Good morning, Miss Sinclair, l under
stood that you we're to drive out this
way today, but l was not aware that
anyone was to accompany you"
"Oh, this is only friend of mine at the
hotel, Mr.. Durham, and of course she is
unobjectionable."
glanced at Miss LeSage as spoke
and was stricken dumb by what l saw.
Young Durham stepped around to the
side OF the carriage where Miss LeSage
sat, lifted bis hatcourteously and said:
Annie, do you come to me like this,
after these years, land after what suppo-
sed we were to each other!"
There was no answer, and the far.away
eyes shone lnhumanly from a set, white
face.
Miss Sinclair, Miss LeSage is Miss
Leslie. Two years ago in New York she
promised to be my wife. Now she is a
spy in the employ of the government,
hunting me down to hang me-"
That was all that was said. Gently
taking the horse by the head he turned