Mexico Missouri message., 1907-12-12
CHAPTER Il.-contlnued.

Angie smiled. while Martin stared Al
che gigl with increased establishment
He knew who this MCGUIRE was and
something OF his history, and that
Tins Place was a hillside clearing far
up the river, inhabited by an Irish
family devoted to the raising Of pota.
enough TO observe its somewhat sloth'
full condition. and to buy pork and po-
tAtoes: but this tale was a revelation,
and the girl herself a greater one.
This oasis in the wilderness was
fully 20 miles above here. It's only con.
nection with civilization was a seldom.
used log road which only an expert
enced woodsman could follow. and
how this mere child had dared It, was
a marvel.
But there she was. squat on the
ground and watching them with big
black. pleading eyes. There was but
one thing to do. TO care for her now.
as humanity insisted. and Angie made
the FIRST move. Il was In the direction
OF cleanliness; for entering the tent,
she soon appeared with some Of her
own extra clothing, soap. and towels.
and babe the girl follow her up the
river few rods.
The moon was shining clearly above
the treetops. the campfire burned
brightly. and Martin. Ray and Levi
were Longing near Il when the two
returned. and in one an astonishing
Transformation had taken place.
Angie had gone away with n girl OF
ten in respect to clothing. her skirt
evidently made Of gunny cloth and
reaching but little below her knees.
and for a waist. what was once a
mans red flannel shirt. and both In
rags. Soiled with black mud. and
bleeding. she was an object pitiable
beyond words; she returned a young
lady. almost. In stature. her face shin
Ing and rosy, and her eyes so tender
with gratitude that they were pathetic.
Another change had also come with
cleanliness and ciothing-a sudden
bashfulness. II was some time ere
nhe could be made TO talk again. but
finally that wore away and then her
story came. What a tale It was
scarce credible.
- dE a AaNAAHAAIs| HNANA8 AAANbak
spOollsh tale.--the spectres she had
seen were so real TO her that the tell.
ting made them seem almost 80 to the
rest, and beyond that, the girl herself,
so like a young witch, with her shad-
owy eyes and fuTtive glances. added to
the illusion.
But now came a diversion, for Levi
freshened the fire. and at a nod from
Angie. Ray brought forth his banjo.
II was his one pet foible, and 1t went
with him everywhere, and now, with
time and place so In accord. he was
glad to exhibit his talent He was not
an expert,--a few jIgs and plantation
melodies composed his repertory,-but
with the moonlight glinting through
the spruce boughs. the river murmur-
ing near. somehow one could not fail
TO catch the quaint humOr OF "Old
Uncle Ned" Jim Crack Corn" and
tho like, and see the two duslxy lovers
IS they fioated down the ''Tombigbee
River" and feel the pathos of Nellie
Grey" and "old Kentucky Home"
Ray sang fairly well and in sympa-
thy with each theme. To Angie and
the rest It was but ordinary; but to
this waif, who never before had heard
a banjo or a darlIy song, It was mar.
Vicious. Her face lIt up with keen In.
'terest, her eyes grew misty at times,
and once two tearH stole down her
cheeks
For an hour Ray was the center Of
interest, and then Angie arose.
-.
''its time 10 go to bed. and you are
90 share my tent"
'Td rather not" the girl replied
biuntly. Il Amt At. / kin fist en- well
curl 'lonsside o. the fire."
But Angie insisted and the girl fol.
lowed her into the tent.
Here occurred another incident that
must be related. Angie, always de-
won't, and somewhat purltanicai, was
enc who never forgot her nightly
prayer. and now. when ready Tor slam,
beF. abe knelt ON the bed Of ar twigs,
and By tho light Of one small candle
offered her usual petition. while Chip
watched her with wide and wondering
eyes. As might bo expected, that waif
was mentioned, and with deep feeling.
do ye s'pose Cod heard yer" che
queried with evident candor. when
Angie ceased.
why, certainly" came the earnest
sanswcr; God hears all prayers"
and do the splfes hear emf"
There are no such creatures a.
-apikes." answered Anglo. severely;
~yoa only imagine them, and what
'this Indian has told you Il supersii-
rlioE-
But I've seen EN- hundreds on 'em.
ofs and LITTLE" retnrned the afrl,
D1ouily
Anglo looked At her with pity.
ePuf thar uoiicn out u your head,
chce lof ail.f abe aaid, almost stelnIy.
m IL only q asluslon. aad 40 doubt
11dH ~ tn1re g0NH