The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-15


 and patted her hands and kissed them, and drew her head to his breast. She opened her eyes and smiled at him faintly.
 He laid her gently down, blew up the fire, heated some wine and gave it to her. Then he kneeled down again and held her hand to his heart Grace Garden looked at him. Her pale face flushed, grew pink then rosy red But she did not ! draw her hand away.
 "Hallol" said voice behind them, and MT Coventry hobbled in, frightened, cov- cred with snow and ice and half frozen.
 He started in amazement at the scene. Grace recovered at his appearance and blushed more than ever. Then she looked around her in astonishment She did not, however, ask any questions but told Henry that she and MT. Coventry had been invited to spend the Christmas week in Raby Hall, and that they had lost their way while exploring Cairnhope Mountain. They had become separated and she was on the verge of lying down in the snow and succumbing when her eye caught a gleam of light and she managed to stagger to it.
 Henry confided his secret to them and explained to them the imminent danger in which he stood if the least suspicion were raised in Hillsborough. Then after having given his unexpected guests food and drink he led them toward Raby Hall turning from them with an aching heart as he thought of Coventry in the hall in Grace's society, while he lived like a fugitive from justice.
 Coventry had given Henry his word of honor that he would keep his secret. Two days afterward he went to Hillsborough and told the most cunning of the union leaders fin strict confidence what his rival was doing in Cairnhope church.
 Toward the end of that week MT. Raby and his guests were sitting around the great hearth when a man with a white face cried for the Squire outside. "Cairn- hope church Is all lit up!" cried he The ghosts are holding Christmas tide.'
 There was a furious buzz of tongues outside from the farm people and others, who had been convinced ever since they were children that Cairnhope Church was haunted. The Squire, suspecting that someane was trespassing. took his gun and ordered a dozen men to follow him.
 While they were on the way Henry was smiting the red-hot metal Justify, never dreaming that danger was menacing from two directions Suddenly he became aware that someone was stealing into the church. His heart stood still for an in- stant with swift terror. Then he blew his coals to furious heat, grasped his hammer in his right and with his left snatched the only other available weapon, a small shovel.
 He saw three dark forms coming eau tiously toward him. He measured their approach with a pale cheek but daunt- less eye, and at a sudden thought thrust his shovel deep into the hot coals.
 There came rush. The next instant Little dashed shovelful of fiery coals into the face of the leader and brought the hot shovel down on the next mans head with such force that he laid him insensible, with blood running from his ears
 Stepping back he scooped another show elIul or GOALS anu lduleu IL llIO lHe next assailant's face But now others ran in. He threw his hammer at one, fearing to come to close quarters. It struck the man on the throat with such force that he bounded backward and fell unconscious yards from where he received the prodi- gious blow.
 Before his arm had recovered from the throw he was pinned by men who had approached him. He dragged them about with him, kicked, struck, bit, did every thing that single man could do. But he was overpowered at last and forced down. Then, while two men held him. the third raised bludgeon and struck at his head. Henry struggles made the blow glance off. The club was raised again. There came a tongue of flame, a roar, and the man covered his face with his hands, while blood dripped through his fingers. Another report followed, and the mans hands were riddled.
 The rest ran for their lives The wound ed man tried to follow, but Henry held him around the legs. The next moment he was surrounded by men and over him stood a gentleman in evening dress with his mothers brilliant black eyes and