Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-24

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While his horse was drinking Mckiernan
looked around. This was Big Goose, as
nearly as he could reckon. Butcher had
said go up it a mile or more. For the mo-
ment Denny was puzzled The water was
too deep to admit Of travel up the stream
bed but presently he discerned mfser-
able roadway running along the bank, so
he pulled his slow horse out to 1t and re-
sumed his journey. Night came down
like a blanket. shutting out all objects.
Above the high hills cleaned the timid
tapers of the early stars. He could not
see his way, SO he let his animal pick it
out. which it did. with the sagacity OF its
kind. After what seemed an interminable
period Denny saw a light ahead. Feeling
in his breast to be sure that his revolver
was ready for use. he pressed forward
and at last drew up before q low shack.
The door was open and the evening meal
was in preparation at the big fireplace.
''Hullo," he called, Justify; anybody
to homer"
In quick response to his hail female
figure was silhouetted in the doorway.
Seth amt here said a young voice.
and the man on the wagon was struck by
its remarkable sweetness. All of his for
mer mountain experience was connected
with beIdames and viragos.
Il seen i'm down the road" he sent
back. AN he toll me to come on here an
tell is woman that he sent me. Be you
his woman""
Light ana HlLCn, stranger, oil COHS
in: superb be ready t'reckly.
The figure disappeared abruptly from
the doorway and Mckiernan crawled
down from his seat and stretched his
cramped legs. He hitched his horse to a
stake standing in the corner Of a broken
down rail fence. dragged an old carpet
bag from the bed Of the wagon. and shut
fled to the door of the shack He entered
without ceremony and sat down in a
bark bottomed chair near the door
I'm Uncle Jim Hartley, frum Tennes-
see," he remarked. Tapping one leg over
the other and folding his hands In his lap.
The girl was kneeling on the rough
stone hearth, busy with some potatoes she
was roasting in the ashes She did not re-
ply. and he fell to regarding her with in
ward amazement. She was of medium
build and her rounded girlish form was
neatly clothed in a blue calico dress with
some pretensions to grace or manufac-
ture. Her hair was black and curling,
and. though combed, escaped in dozen
different places and clustered about her
face in rnglets./ She was plainly OF the
hill people, but she was as wild rose
among thistles. She got up presently and
turned toward Denny. and he saw that
her face was pretty, though weak.
EFF yo'll low me to say 1t. bein's I'm
an OF man. Seth outmarried hisself."
commented Denny.
The girl flush I'd and smiled and seemed
openly pleased.
..Whar yo' boun' fur, Uncle Jim"' she
asked, moving to a low table at one side
and arranging some dishes which sat
thereon.
Right here. my gal. Seth n me air
goin' to make whisky together"
HE never tol' me nothin' bout It." she
answered. with a half pout.
"He didn't know bout it hisseff when
he lef' yo We met up on the road an
struck the bargain. I've heerd o. Seth
way down in Tennessee Things got too
hot down thar for Teller in this business
an had to pull out. N I said to mysen.
I'll go to Seth Butcher, who amt 'fraid
NV man muir devil Didn't hear only las
week bout i'm pinkin' some city chap
what come nosin' 'roun' his still?"