Evening star., 1909-01-25
CHAPTER xvII-continued.

1T is not for me 10 say, he replied
repeat that ! am of the earth: earthly,
Is has been we'll said, an expression that
appeals to me. like the good things Of
the world and its glories. and more than
the shadow OF them / had now within
my grasp. I could not let them go.
Have you been happy? Have YOU lived
II down. I asked with all the passionate
emphasis OF one who wishes 10 be let
alone
I have never seen another mans face
iliumined as his was when | asked the
question.
Yes. Charlie" he replied. Il am happy
and I have lived it down. I have lived
1t down for myself. What does it matter
about the others? Nothing that any one
may say can hurt me now
| knew that he told the truth. | had
known it even before l asked the ques-
ton, but / wanted the answer from his
own lips. Yet he was mountafneer and
I was not: it was the mountains that
judged him. while ! had to face far
more critical audience.
The load will get heavier and heavier
all the time he said.
Again he spoke the truth and knew il.
when ] forgot my own secret, but when
the actual painful knowledge of it re-
turned it always came with greater
weight. ] could not forget the look on
the face OF Harrison, nor thai on the
face of Connor either.
I'm your friend. Charlie, said Elias.
I'm glad to see YOU governor of the
state. and I'm proud. too. It's one thing
that I've come here tonight to say. and
to say TO you alone.
Then he relapsed into silence and the
two of us gazed into the fire. where walls
ana turrets were forming among the
glowing Goals. All around us was silence
We heard no one stirring i'm the house
below. and off on the slope the tired
troops were already sleeping.
you'll do what's right. Charlie" said
Elias at last.
II 1 only knew what's right | said
"!f We wait and truly want il, the way
is pointed out to u.s., he said.
We relapsed into another silence, which
was the one finally to break.
you'll help me all you can with the
settlement of this feud. won't You, EIias?'
asked
with all my heart and soul" he re-
piled with fervor.
Then I told him of plan which ap-
pealed to him strongly. He was to he a
central figure in it. and I saw his face IL
lumined with zeal for his task. When he
rose to go and took my hand I'm his strong
clasp he said:
'God will show you the way. Charlie =
It was simply said and I knew that il
came from the bottom of his heart When
he was gone sat long in troubled
thought. Would il be better to tell every
thing? Ii the disclosure brought disgrace
with il il would also bring peace. / was
not afraid-1 think | can truly make the
claim-but weight that is carried long
grows heavier every day.
arose early the next morning, and as
soon as | could leave my post went to
the camp. where I found all things trim
and ready. Harrison was one of the most
would have made a good soldier-and
after my inspection he approached me
and began a conversation, at first about
camp subjects. out he said presently:
This minister. Mr.. Peabody. is likely
to be Of great help, don't you think
Yes replied, understanding where
he meant to take the talk. but hardened
at that moment into indifference.
He seemed to recognize you yester-
day." he said in a soft. insinuating tone
He did We have met before" l replied
shortly.
AN old friendship. suppose? I no.
ticed that he called you by given name
did not know that your middle name
was Charles
This was too much: it more than bor-
dered on insolendo and l said sharply
to him:
II think Lieut. Harrison. that de-
tachment Of the Louisville company Is
about to start in search of member of
the Horner faction. You should see to
it
He flushed. then saluted and withdrew.
/ was commander inchief. and I was
resolved that no subordinate officer OF
lllfle SIOulu dUnOg Hlt
Our movements were attended with un-
broken success. Armed in advance with
accurate information, the troops brought
in ali the Kent and Horner combatants.
Those who were concerned in the mur
ders were placed under double guard to
await trial for their lives. and all the
others were compelled to attend services
in the large church on the following
Sunday.
I believe that Christian service of
more interest has never been held in the
mountains than that conducted on
beautiful Sunday in early June by the
Rev. Elias Peabody of Elverson. The
church was crowded with members of the
Kent and Horner factions. nearly all of
whom had come unWillingly. and around
them was a double line of attentive sol
diers. Outside other soldiers-the church
vas within our lines-walked up and
down. rife on shoulder. and on the slope
not far away the polished metal work of
a Gatiing gun cleaned brightly. Through
the open door OF the church the glorious
June sunshine poured in a golden flood.
Illuminating the swarthy set faces of the
feudists and bringing out every stern
20 f,Iro