The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-21

AdVe any UL your HieH DSeH tudt way lately?r
 "Not for several weeks under any orders from me. There may have been foraging parties covering that territory, but no report has reached me of any trouble"
 "You have heard nothing regarding the disappearance of this mans wife and childrenp'
 'T certainly have not, Jean," now replying with the earnestness of con- viction. "Surely you do not suspect me of making war on the helplessf"
 "No," graveIy, but our mountain feuds are heartless, and mercy has never been part of the code. Know ing what l do of the past, cannot blame Daniels for his suspicious. Daniels discovered last night that his home had been burned to the ground and could gain no information rela- tive to the whereabouts of his wife and children. In despair and, nat urally enough, believing some of our faction must have been concerned in the outrage, he came here, stealing in through the tunnel. He chanced to meet first with Lieutenant King and learned of the mysterious woman who has been doing such horrible things in this house. His first thought was that it might be his wife. crazed by her -sufferings and seeking vengeance. Discovering that I had seen this strange woman's face and knowing kH,nk ho1 ole htc xvffn ho q persuaded to come here and talk to me in hope of learning the truth. It was a brave act and proves loyalty of the mans heart. 1 have given him no pledge of safety, but do now. He is going from here unharmed, on my word of honor"
 Donald stepped aside. leaving the door partially open and unguarded. His eyes were no longer on the moun- taineer. but upon the face of the girl.
 'I respect his purpose and your i'm piled pledge" he said graveIy. 'Was the woman Mrs. Daniels?'
 '.No," her eyes falling before his gaze and the whole expression of her face softening. "It was a face hsid never seen before"
 I could perceive the doubt in Daniels's face. the vague suspicion of treachery. Before he could move, how ever. the girl. excited under the strain. broke forth impulsively.
 "I-I don't want this to go on! There has been blood enough shed in these mountains over a forgotten quarrel. Won't you men stop it? For the sake of that woman, those children. home less, won't you forget the past and unite together in one cause? ask it as a woman"
 The thought was utterly beyond Daniels. could see this in the steely glint of the eyes fastened on Donald, but the latter said:
 "I am not a brute. Jean, and have fought because I was born into it rather than from choice. If Daniels will meet me halfway 1t shall be truce between us."
 He turned his head to look at the other standing gaunt and grim, bit of sunshine touching the grizzled hair.
 What shall it be, Daniels. peace or war;"
 The silence of the mountaineer burst under the stress of pentup passion. as If some dam had given away, his words tumbling over one another in torrent.
 "Ye want me ter lie down now, do ye? didn't come we're ter talk ter ye, Jem Donald. I'll fight ye any day ye ever saw. but Pm goin' ter die hatfn' ye."
 I saw Donald take one step back ward. Jean swept between us. and then Daniels walked out. Jean chung to Donald, her pleading face upturned.
 "All l ask is that you let him go and that you make no effort to do further injury. As he says, you have won; there is hardly a Daniels left to continue the feud. Now we can afford to forgive and forget. And you will. know you willy'
 There was a moments silence, his hands clasping her fingers, his grave eyes upon her face.
 twill it make you glad to have my promise. little girl?"
 "It surely will"
 "Then I give it to you: no act of mine shall ever perpetuate the feud." He turned toward me. Naturally supposed Lieutenant King had gone before this"
 "I appreciate your, generosity" I said. but not so heartily as intended,
 
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