The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-01-22
IN DARK CORNER
Wife's InfIexibIe Fidelity and Gun.
ming Saves Husband from
the GaIIoWs.
ey GEORGE S. RoLANps.

The womans voice rang out clear,
sharp. insistent. and as the notes
drifted through the hazy summer air
man pulled upon the reins OF his
horse quickly.
Hello. Mary didn't see YOU"
Il reckon it is time you did-makin'
me run, tired as | am. down that path
of turning stones" She paused ex-
tending her yc-"e~ brown arms. grasp
ing the tops Of the seat and SO lifting
herself easily up beside him.
Il let you 60 round the bend. Jim.
cause ! was speculatin' as to the like
ly chances of your givin that revenue
officer with that burden of his lift
down"
The man shifted slightly so as to
give her more room. and his face as
he turned it to the Woman's was flush
ed deeply. II toll him Mary, il he got
me load of EN- I'd do it maybe. Sec
ing chances is slim reckon they'll
be a long time before askin an the
walk amt none too 'vigoratin'"
They both gazed down the broken
mountain path, edged sharply by
bushes and tall grasses. Wild flowers
and ferns flung their sweet odor on
the hot dust ana si,rivcled in the
heat. Below moved tiny spot. Two
men staggered and toiled beneath the
weight OF great body whose very
inertness and laXity taxed their
strength cruelty
$50 they got him." the women
breathed. her eyes suddenly dark ard
flashing.
"Yep-one gone but jeff went too
In the doin'"
Shorty makes two"
Shorty amt gone yet"
Nope"
Silence settled. broken only by tho
creaking of the leather harness. the
heavy breathing Of the man and tho
almost imperceptiblc signing Of the
girl
Gay. w YOU ttNNOll ~ III Ut SOOu
yes?"
Il can't tell Mary. amt heard as
yet. Was 1t one or two?"
"One sneakin'. good-fornothin' reve-
nue. officer, only one" she said almost
regretfully. lie was spyin' and what
ought spy to get? But. Shortly
The man sighed That's it. what'll
he get?"
Dark corner an the cabin t II be
gone. Are you sure there amt no
| chance-not One?'
Say, Mary, what er you cringin'
fer? You amt scared O death-no
| you amt scared O nothin'"
But the woman's eyes that held the
purity Of the southern skies in color
filled slowly and under the limp sun
bonnet her lips trembled One brown
hand twisted her apron string gent
ly wal, you see up ter now |
amt been afraid o. nothin', but now,
now that things is changed therell
be little stranger in Dark Corner
an. an'-it'll be powerful lonesome
without his Pappy"
They both paused, the man letting
the reins fall lax and the woman al
lowing her hands to stretch out as
though in dumb appeal. You see
we had such nice times in Dark Cor
| ner. Shorty an | used ter tramp tn
| hills in springtime. each one tryin' to
find the robins nest first or the wild
! ,osc peckin' thro' some hedge kind
O. planned to-"
The man brought his whip down
sharply gpon the horses back, touch.
Ing its foaming tanks again and
again. and as it reared on its launches
IN anger he sNorc a loud oath and
sent the wagon rumhlin- and tlmbliUg
down the steep grade lit dangerous
| pace Towards the bottom only he
slackened his mad racc--beside two
bent figures, dust-coyered. hatless.
staggering ON in the binding heat.
One of them waved and instantly the
cart drew up alongside of them.
| "Enioyin the exercise. Mr.. Revenue
Officer? It's a nice warm day, amt
1t? An ycu passed the last stretch OF
water two miles gone already"
He grinned horribly at the exclama.
ton of dismay that escaped the mems
lips. Now want yer to understand.
that | amt bein' unsociable-nor I'M.
friendly at all. but it's like walkin' ter
He'll to get to town but il this won.
an cen do It. you can"
'But she isn't walkin'."
mot today-but she has for sixty
long others an she amt whimpered
either"
why don't you stay in Dark Cor
ner. where you rats belong9"
lest for one reason Mr. Officer.
she's trainin' to walk SOS when Won
all get to He'll her roadll be easier
than yours by practice"
And with a sharp crack of the whin
they trotted on
That night the woman fell exhaust.
ed upon the steps OF her little Cabin
IL had seemed endless. the Journey
the dingy prison. the hours of homo.
less despair and planning. the emn,v
promises. the farewell at dust 80
the long climb home. A round Whit
moon had dipped across the cres, ., |