Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-11-29


what had pefallen him that Gay. bus
even with the prayer In his heart 10
remembered there was no God to hear
II and was retracing his steps In this
hind alley of despair when Peggy
took his hand and flashed suggestion
before his mind.
WHY should he go back to the farm
at ALTO DO bullied and beaten TO
death or desperation in a cruel and
UNEQUAL war? He told her In reply
what be calmly proposed to 90. ana
her blood ran cold to hear him; then
common sense came to her aid, and
she showed him the folly rather than
the wickedness Of bis diabolical plans.
He listened sullenly, but said he could
not answer for himself after this ana
pretended to take less than he really
did to the suggestion that he should
run away there and then. According
to Peggy, there was not another min
ute to lose.
Tom wanted to know where he was
TO run to, but he began feeling about
for his shirt. Peggy found 1t for him
and noticed, with a pang Of instructive
jealousy, Us the blanket fell apart IN
his movements, mysterious some
thing that he wore next his breast ike
q scapula. 1t was sewn up In oiled SILK,
which glIstened in the feeble light, ana
In the bitter intuition that this pre-
cious possession was a packet OF true
loves letters she made him ask his
questions twice.
Peggy then told him he must run due
| east for the sea, for 1t was but thirty
miles from there, and she had GOOD
mind to run with him, since they wero
going to turn her into government
without fail. This she said with a
laugh. but he made no answer. his
face was drawn with pain ut every
movement 1t reminded Peggy OF some
scraps of cotton wool that she had
brought for him to put next his LAGER
ated skin, and a grateful look he gave
her was her comfort and her hope, as
she left him to fight his own battle
with his shirt and set herself to pull
ing down the brushwo0d fence. A
breach was easily and not noisily
made, and both moon and stars were
still crisp In the sky when Tom pain
fully followed the girls lead and the
two plunged together into the open
bush. -
"Djue east" repeated Peggy, STOP
ming in the first thicket. "D'ye know
the Southern Cross now2 I'm afther
misrememberin' 1t meself."
"Up yonder, Peggy. Those five"
can as like cross as han saw!
But as We know I ye can steer due
east by I, an due east lies the say
If you're wantin' wather on the way,
let the Southern Cross shine In your
face, an thatll bring ye to the river
heard 'em say SO as waited table"
81 know, Peggy, know. And when
/ get to the sea-if ever do-weli. al
least my bones can sleep In 1t, instead
of in this pestllent land!'
He stood eying her. eager to DC
gone, and yet reluctant to show un
grateful haste.
can why would theyY cried Peggy
"Its nanny a convict has escaped OF
RATS before ye, so why wouldn't you
Only fetch up wild the soy an there'i
hope!"
"Then, Peggy, there's no time u
LOSE" And his hand was out In an In
slant.
"Ah, then. Tom. an must be lawn
ye"
Her voice was altered.
"This is not the way to Castle Sulli
van, Peggy. It's the very opposite al
rection. And I've got you into trou
BILE enough. goodness knows"
Her lips parted as though more al
guments were on her tongue. But
was upon his white face the moo
was shining. and his eagerness to 6
and 20 alone was now transparent.
"They have made you crule, Tom.
said Peggy, with a sudden sad dignity
"Goodby. Go your ways. God bles
your
"Cruel to your" he said densely.
ayes. crule to me--to me that brough
o 70 mate and dhrink. to me that d
"But what can I doT' he asked be
|. In the same dull tone. II am gratert
to you with all the heart they've lei
: me. but they tried their best to cut
0 out, and l believe they have. MAX
{ allowances for me, Peggy, and onl
t tell me what can do"
Z "Take me wild yc, Tom," she whi
, pered.
Q ITO the sea?"
J. can further!'
a "My dear, how can II II they TO
!. low me alone, I can fight them aior
I until drop and die. With you
b couldn't"
1 "An' wouldn't we dhrop and die t
{ getherT
y And now there were tears In hi
!, voice that held his own tongue boun
{ and now light in her eyes that shs
s a ray through his brain at last d
= understood and waited for his hea
Y TO bleed for her. When 1t would not
a great groan came from his soul.
81 can't help It, Peggy" he humble
:. IN his shame. ats as you ga
= They've cut my heart out-cut 1t ciea
It out. they have-and cruel brute is
can ever be now. Forgive me. II
giri-and let me go. Never think twi'
!. about me. I'm not worth it-a bru
like me! Peggy-Peggy"-
!. He had tried in his weakness TO p
d his arms about her upon IN Impulse
l. pure sorrow and gratitude that nc