The Washington herald., 1906-11-18

Jimmy Grayson. IF he were not so we
should not have got lost last night, and
We should not be here now. Mr- Simpson.
trespassing on your hospitality Perhaps
the man does not want any breakfast; II s
not the first time since he's been with us
that he's gone without it,
Then he launched again into the stream
OF a very pretty story that he had been
telling, and the wavering attention of the
cid man returned. Harley gave all as
sistanee. Despite his anxiety and his
listening for sounds without, he kept his
eyes fixed upon Jimmy GraysOns face
as If he would not miss a word.
The breakfast went on 10 an unusual
length. The candidate and Harley called
again and again for hot biscuits and
more coffee. and always the old woman
served them silently. almost furtively.
The story was finished, and just as it
came to its end Simpson said, with a
grim infection:
1T pears to me. Mr. GTaysOn, all you
said about that driver Of yOurn is true
lie hasn't come from the stable yet
There was the sound Of a step IN the
hail. and the candidate said quickly:
He's coming now; he'll be in pres
emily, as soon rs he washes his hands
and face on the porch. No. sit down
Mr.. Simpson; he needs no directions
We were speaking Of the sacrifices that
people make for one another. and IL re-
minds me of a very pretty story that L
must tell you
The old man sank into his chair. but his
look wandered 10 the door. Il seemed to
Harley that light sounds came from the
other part Of the house. and the old man,
too, seemed for a moment 10 be listening
but Jimmy Grayson at once began his
story, and Simpsons attention came
back.
This is a story of the mountains OF
Eastern Kentucky" began the candidate,
and 1t Is love story-a very pretty one,
] think.
Simpson moved I'm his chair. and a sud
den wondering look appeared in his eyes
at the words Eastern Kentucky" The
old woman. too. slightly raised her bent
form and sazed eagerly at the candidate
But Jimmy Grayson took no notice. and
continued.
This" he said "is the love story Of
two people who were young then.
but who are old now. Yet. I am sure
there is much affection and tenderness in
their hearts and often they must think
fondly Of those old days. The youth lived
on the side Of mountain. and the girl
ltN VI 0At tAt+ EAlt OF H0OTnET mountain
not far away He was tall. strong and
brave; she. too, was tall, as slender as
one Of the mountain saplings. wiki glori-
Gus brown hair and eyes. and a voice as
musical as 2 mountain echo. Wei. they
met and they loved loved truly and deep
y. II might seem that the way was easy
now for them 20 marry and 20 to a
mousse OF their own. but II was not. There
was bar.
A ieud. breathed the old man. The
Did woman put her hands 10 her ewes.
Yes, feud: they seem strange things
10 US here but 10 those distant people in
.le mountains they seem the most ma
ural thing in the world. The youth
and the girl belonged to families that
we're at war with each other. and mar
-iage between them would have been con-
iidered by all their relatives a mortal
sin. 90
The old mans eyes were fastened upon
Jimmy GraysOn's, but his look for the
moment was distant, as # It were held
~ old memories. The woman was CRYING
oftly. Again the soft shuttle of feet I'm
he other part of the house came 10 Har-
ey ears. but the old couple did not
lear; the driver was forgotten: for all /
simpson and his wife remembered, he /
night still be finishing his morning toilet 4
N the porch
They were compelled to meet in /
ecret continued Jimmy Grayson. but I
~ girl was frightened for him because !
ne loved him. She told him that he must /
20 away, that If her father and brothers 4
eard OF their meetings they would kill
nm; Il was impossible for them to marry.
mt she loved him, she would never DENY /
hat He listened 10 her gently and ten 4
eriyi he was a brave youth. as I have
aid, and he would not go away. He said
hat God had made them for each other.
nd she should De his wife; he would not
% away. he was not afraid
No, ] was not afraid, breathed the
Id man, softly. The old woman had
Enlightened herself up until she stood
rect There was a delicate flush on her
ace. and her eyes were luminous.
his youth was a hero. a gallant and /
hlvalrcus gentleman" continued Jimmy
lrayson; he loved the girl and she
'ved him. there was no real reason in
he world why they should not marry.
nd he was resolved that there should be
one"
The candidates head was bent forward
Yer his plate His face was sJiRhtl,
ushed, and his burning eyes held Simp-
on's. Harley saw that he thrilled with /
Is own story and the crisis for which il
as told. Elsewhere in the building the
amt noises went on, but Harley alone
card.
The youth did what would have done
nd what YOU would have done NJ !
impSon, continued Jimmy Grayson He
ld what nature and sense dictated. He
teroore all resistance on the part Of the
irl, who IN her heart was willing to ne
verborne One dark night he stole her
'om her fathers house and carried her
way on his horse"
How well I remember it, exclaimed
10 old man, with eyes a-gleam. I had
'arthy on the horse behind me. and my
fie on the pommel Of the saddle before
e"
The old woman cried softly. but il
'emed 10 Harley that the note Of her
eeping was not grief
he stole her away. continued Jimmy
rayson. "and before morning they were
arried Then he took he- TO n house
his own, and he sent word that if auv I
an came 10 do them harm he would
eet rife bullet They knew that he
as the best shot i'm the mountains. ana
Iat he was without fear, so they did not
me. And that youth and that girl are
i'll living, though both are old row. but
either has ever for a moment regretted
at night"
You speak the truth. exclaimed the
d man. striking his fist upon the table. |
hile his ewes flashed with exultant hre.
We We never been sorry for a moment :
T what we did, hev we Adarthy?" {,
Harley had risen 20 his feet and a
gnal look passed between him and the
ndidate
And then, said Jimmy Grayson. why
you deny to Henry Everslev the right {
do What you did and what Won SIN :
ory I'm after all these years? Mr.. Simp- /,
n, shake hands with your new son-fn-