Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-04-18

Tilda were being talked about as lovers
that the watch on Griggs was relaxed.
He had set no time for departing. but
after a month it was seen that his
work was finished and that he was
staying on account of the girl Abe
Goodman asked no questions of the
young man, and the mother asked none
of her daughter. Suspicious and dis
trustful as the mountaneers were,
they had been fooled. The newcomer
was a revenue spy, working with the
promise of It great reward He had re
hearsed his part for months before
playing it. He had counted on every
thing but meeting Tilda There had
been admiration from the first. and
| love had soon followed Within two
weeks there had sprung up in his
breast Il conflict 'twiXt love and duty,
! and it was for this reason he fingered.
He was not what he claimed to be, and
yet he was the girls superior in all
ways. 1t was her ingenuousness and
innocence that appealed to him. He
not do it. He loved, and yet he hesi-
tated TO go further. More education
and refinement, more contact with the
world, and she would he woman to
be proud of, and yet there was her an
cestry-the impossible in the environ
ments that had surrounded her for so
many years and must have their due
effects.
When a man trusts a woman, he has
limits. When a woman trusts a man,
she has none. She is ready to give
her whole life to him. Arthur Griggs
knew that he had won the maiden's
love, and it was for him to make a
choice. Should he return and betray
the stills hidden away in Laurel Cove
and then disappear and be seen no
more, or should he report that none eX-
listed and take away mountain bride
and the good will of the lOwly people?
Love carried the day 1t was to the
credit of human sentiment that 1t was
so. But before this determination was
reached the young man walked alone
on the mountains. No one followed
him this day. 1t was Sunday, and the
mountaineers were smoking their pipes
as they rested. Their suspicious had
been lulled. They had kept their eyes
open and whispered among themselves
whispered and smiled. On this day,
as he walked under the giant chest
nuts and made his way through the
laurels young GriggS came upon a
man. The revenue force had grown
impatient with his dilatory tactics and
had sent an emissary to see and ques-
ton him. The two talked for half an
hour as they leaned against the trunk
of q great tree at the edge of tbicket
When they separated, the revenue man
knew that nothing further could be e1-
pected from the spy. He had shut his
eyes to all but the song Of love. 1t had
been useless to talk to him of duty.
He had come as spy, but had sold
the government out.
After the talk Griggs walked away a
few rods and sat down on a rock from
which he could see far down the side
Of the grim old mountain. He could
count the cabins of the mOuntaineers
scattered about, and he could look
down into Beaver Cove and Halfway
Cove and Halpin's Hamlet 1t was a
day of peace, with the smoke ascend
Ing as straight as an arrow and the
birds singing and the squirrels chatter
ing about him. He felt good There
was burden off his mind and Joy In
his heart now that he had made his de-
cision. In the evening he would see
Tilda and tell her that he loved her.
In the evening he would see her father
and ask her hand In marriage He
was smiling as his eyes roved over the
landscape beneath him when a step
caused him to turn his head.
"Tilda, you herew he cried as he
sprang to his feet with the light of
love in his eyes and his arms out
stretched.
She drew herself up and waved him
away.
But, Tilda, what is it?"
She was pale, and hard lines had
come into her face The girl look was
searched for in vain. There was suf-
fering in her eyes, but determination
In the compressed lips.
II was In the thicket when you talk
ed with that man-dad and l." she said
at last. Dad has gone for his rife to
shoot you like dog. 1 am here to tell |
you TO 60"