Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-06-29
s CHAPTER XII.-tContinued. !

ms work IN the iron plant. and MS IN
Gle was preparing to return to his
charge in South Tredegar. With no
particular destination in view, 1t was
only natural that his feet should find
the familiar path leading up to the
great boulder under the cedars. He
had not visited the rock Of the spring
since the summer day when he and
Nan Bryerson had taken refuge from
the shower in the hollow heart Of 1t, 1
nor had he seen Nan since their part
ing at the door of her fathers cabin
K under the cliff. Rumor In Gordonia
had II. that Tike Bryerson had been
hunted out by the revenue officers: and
for reasons which he would have found
u difficult to declare in words. Tom
mad been shy about making Inquiries
For this cause an apparition could
scarcely have startled him more than
did the sight Of Nan filling her bucket
at the trickling thanksgiving under the
!, ciifI race Of the great rock He CAME
on her suddenly at the end OF the long
climb ap the wooded slopes, at a mos
ment when semi -tropiaal growth hav-
ing had two full seasons in which to,
change the natural aspect OF things
+ ne was half bewildered with the un-
wonted look Of the place. But there
was no doubt about It: It was Nan in
the hesh. little fuller In the figure,
something less childish In the face,
put with all the fascinating, wild -crea-
tnre beauty of the child -time promise
g dazzle the eye and breed riot in the
brain Of the boy man.
Did you know was coming? Were
you waiting for me. Nan n he dubbed,
gazing into the great black eyes as ea-
gerry as freed dog plunges into the
first pool that offers
FLOW could I be KNOWN. to it?r she
asked taking him seriously, or appear
a ing to. Il new knowed school let out
this time o'year." 5ss s. At
iet out for me, Nam" he said.
meantngly. Il came home-for good
nearly three weeks ago. My mother
I, mas peen sick. Didn't you hear of 1t ?"
She shook her head gravely.
say. Nan; I hope you haven't got to
hurry home he interposed, when she
stopped to lift the overfowing bucket.
want to talk to you--to tell you
something, z
Air you man now. Tom Jeff, or
on'y boy like you used,to be?"" she
asked
I'm big enough to be in my own
way a good deal OF the time. / be-
lieye Icould muddy Sim Cantrells back
Tor him now. at arm holts."
Where's your preachers coat, Tom
Jeff? was allowin' you'd be wearin'
It mex time we met up"
rs reckon there isn't going to be any
preacher's coat for me, Nan; that's
one Of the things want to talk to yo,
about. Let's go over yonder and sit
down In the sum-,
The place he chose for her was nat
: stone half embedded in the up- climb
ing slope beyond the great boulder,
She sat facing the path and the spring,
Listening, while Tom, stretched luxuri-
ously on bed Of dry leaves at her
feet told her what had befalien: how
he had been turned out Of Beersheba,
and what for: how. all the former
things having passed away, he was
I torn and distracted In the struggle to
find a footing In the new order.
They-an up yonder In that school
where you was at ,hain't got much
sense, It looks like to me" was her
comment You're man growed now,
Tom Jeff. and II you want to play
cards or drink whisky. what-all busi
ness is It O their'n ~
you stand by your friends, right OF
wrong. don't you. girl?" he said, II,
sheerest self-gratulation. That's What
5 i like In you. You asked me a little
while back II was man or a boy;
believe you could make man OF me
N Nan. II you'd try" y
If you'd said that two year ago,
She began, in a half-whisper that melt
ed the marrow In his bones. "But YOU
was only q boy then; and now reckon
u it's too late" sas
g.You mean that you don't care 70,
me any more, Nan2 know bette,
than that. You'd back me ii / had
come UP here to tell you that I'd killed
somebody. Wouldn't you. now?',
He waited OVERRIDING for his answer
There were sounds In the air: metal
lie tapping like the intermittent drum.
ming of a woodpecker mingled with q
rustling OF some small animal scurry-
ing back and forth over the dea6
leaves. The girl leaned forward; lis
tening intently. Then three men an
peared in the farther crooking Of the
spring path. and at the first glinpse
of7them she slipped from the fiat stone
(. to cover behind Tom. trembling. shak.
ing with terror. %
Hide me, Tom-Jeff! Oh hide mo
quick" she painted. .Lookee} theret,
\: He looked and saw the three men
walking slowly up the pipeline which
drained the barrel spring They were
too far away to be recognizable to him
4 and since they were stopping momen-
tarily to examine the pipe, there was
good hope Of an escape unseen
Tom waited hrap tf1aro for t,a v,,,
3 pitious instant when the tapping Of thu
pipe mems hammers should drown the
noise OF a dash for effacement When
II came, he flung himself backward
whipped Nan over his head and out OF
the line of sight as If she had been
y feather-light. and rolled swiftly after
her. Before she could rise he had pick
ed her up and was dragging her to the
climbing point under the lip Of the
q boulder cave.
Up with you!" he commanded. maxi
Ing step of his hand. Give me your
foot and then climb to my shoulder
quick!" But she drew back.
oh. can't" she gasped. ''I>-I'm
9 too skeered!"
Jumping to catch the lip of the cav
ern's mouth. he ascended cat like, and
E moment later he had drawn her up
after him.
I'D like to know what got the mat
ter with you all at once" he said, Sc
verely. when they were crowded to-
gether in the narrow rock cell; and
then, without waiting for her answer:
You stay here while drop down and
< keep those fellows away from this side
of things"
But 1t was too late. The men were
already at the barrel spring. as an in
distinct nurmur of voices testified. The
girl had another trembling fit when
she heard them. and Toms wonder was
fast lapsing into contempt or some
thing like 1t. t
"Oh-h-f!" she shuddered. do you
reckon they saw us. Tom Jeff?"
II shouldn't wonder" he whispered
! back unfeelingly I'VE could see them
plain enough '
He'll kill me. for shore, Tom Jeff.."
Toms lip curled. The wolf does not
mate with the jackal Not all her
beauty could atone for such spiritless
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