The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-09-03

said. "She has the reg'lar Doolittle
nose and her grandfather's chin right
over agin. She's downright purity;
she looks like her ma, and Lucy was
the best lookin' one of our family.
But shNlon't write word about her
brother! | wonder how that is. Lucy
had two children"
Three weeks later the stagecoach
came whirling up to Aunt Nance's
door, and Jack Hughes called out when
he saw Aunt Nance at the open door:
Light load today, Aunt Nance
only one passenger, and l guess she's
the one you're lookin' for"
A young girl, her plain black dress
and hat covered with dust, stepped
to the ground. Aunt Nance embraced
her warmly.
you're sister Lucy's Marcia" she
exclaimed eXcitedly. II know with
out askin'. You're reglar Doolit-
tie. and you don't know how glad 1 am
to see your
"You don't really look strong" Aunt
Nance said while Marcia was eating
the elaborate dinner prepared express
ly for her. But, Ia, my dear, you'll
look like another girl after a summer
up here in this mountain air"
Then she suddenly asked in softer
tone, where is your brother David,
Marcia?"
Marclas smile gave place to panied
and troubled look.
Il don't know, aunt" she said.
Don't know? Why, how is that?"
ut Is more than a year since we
have heard anything from David" said
Marcia. Then she added: THAT is one
reason why l wanted to come west,
Aunt Nancy, besides what the doctor
told me about my health. l think Da-
vid Is out here. | did not write any
thing about it, for l thought | would
rather tell you all about it myself. l
thought you might understand the story
better and feel more kindly toward him
to see you.
1t was a brief and sorrowful little
story of Il boys waywardncss that she
told, not an uncommon story of a nat
urally we'll disposed boy being led into
wrongdong by evil companions and
finally running away after bringing dis
grace upon his home.
"All we have known for nearly two
years is that he is in the west. We
heard once of his being in this state.
If | could only find him, | am sure he
could Yet be saved. He is 50 young
not yet twenty"
"l'll help you find him." said Aunt
Nance earnestly. We'll begin ut once.
| | know all the stage drivers around
here and people III nearly all the noun
tain towns. If he's anywhere in this
part Of the state We'll find him. dear.
Mcrrick amt Il common name
The mountain summer soon came on
in all its soft and tender beauty. Mar
ciu lived out of doors much of the time.
She rode on horseback down into the
grassy gulchc5 or far up 10 the noun
tain submits, where the snow lay in
! little patches throughout all the sum-
Mrr days. soon the color came to her
checks Her thin shape grew roundcr
and fuller.
The night of the 18th of Au-
gust was one long remembered by
the dWc!lcrS On that mountain side
ana by those in the %ulrh below. They
referred to it long aftcrward as THE
time Of the big s,orm."
At o'clock the wind ahatcd its
fury. At 10 it had died away SO that
no sound was heard but the pouring of
the rain. Marcia and Kate Dooluy
went to bed.
1t was II o'clock when Aunt Nance,
rising to 90 To bed, stopped suddenly,
threw up her head and listened.
,'hc rain was falling softly now, and
high above its gentle sound she heard
Il voice shrek out as if in mortal
terror. Then she heard mems voices
shouting wildly.
What in the name Of wonder is 60
in on up there on Taylor mountain
at this time of night?" she asked her.
self as she hurried to a door and look
ed out into the darkness.
dear, DEAR she said, with more
of irritation than of fear in her voice.
Il wonder when this country's ever
goin' to get civilized 50 folks IL live as
if they was Christians. There's mis-
chief gOin' on up there. | saw them
Taylor mountain boys Whisperm to-
gethcr and lookin' savage when they
were down here to dinner today. I've
Il notion to Who's thatT'
The rear door of the room had open
ell suddenly and been closed.
Aunt Nance turned quickly. Before
her. his back to the door, his hands
spread out upon it as if he would hold
it against all resistance, stood hatless
and coatless young man, his clothes
drenched and tattered, his face ashen
pale, his eyes wild and staring while
his slender form Quivered with fear.
"Oh. please come in and shut that
door,. he cried, stretching out one
hand imploringly. They're after me
those men are! Can't you hide me?
I haven't done what they say have.
Hide me! Hide me!'
Aunt Nance slowly closed the door,
but seemed to hesitate