The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-12-11
-s~e~~>~~~ss~~~~~~s~~~~~~~~~~~e~e
tCooyrisht by Charles Neville Bucl, )


shielded by the woods, a straeglinp
little cortege. At its front rode a
stoopsnouldered man In whom. even
~ mat far distance. she thought she
recognized the missionary. Behind
MIN came q few horsemen riding in
Two squads. and between the squads
crawied "jolt-wagon" drawn by
mules. She knew that the Haveys
were bringing back to the frontier the
enemys dead. and she shuddered at
The cold reality.
IL may have been three hours later
tnat Good Anse Talbot rode up to
tne widow Everson's. When the girl.
who had returned long ago from the
crest, came out to meet him at the
door she found him talking there with
Milt McBriar. who had also ridden up,
out from the other direction.
Anse Havey lows" the preacher
was saying, that he hes done fotched
nome ther body of little Nash Watt
an thet ther boy was shot ter death
= iayin' In ther la'rel q hundred PAGES
from the winder whar Cal Douglas was
q standin'!"
I've done already acknowledged
thet." declared Milt In a voice into
which crept q trace of truculent sui
lenness.
The missionary nodded. T hain't
quite through yit, Milt," he went. on
evenly, and the girl who stood lean.
Ing against the doorframe, caught for
an Instant sparkle of zealot earnest
ness In his weary eyes.
"Anse Is willin' ter take yore hand
on this truce. He's willin' ter stand
pledge thet ther Haveys keeps faith.
But I'm preacher OF the Gawspel of
dod. Milt, and don't low ter be no
go-between without both OF you men
does keep faith"
Milt McBriar stifened resentfully,
and his dark brows drew together un-
der his hat brim.
Does ye doubt thet I'll do what I
saysr he inquired In voice too soft
for sincerity.
The missionary did not drop his
steady and compelling eyes from the
gaze direct. IL was as IL he were read
ins through the pupils OF the other and
Zearchirs the dark heart.
Il aims ter see thet ye both starts
out fair. Milt." he said, still quietly.
An ter thet end aims ter admonish
ye both on ther terms OF this meetin'
stween ye."
For an instant Milt McBriar's SEM
biance OF calm renectiveness slipped
from him and his voice rose raspingly.
Did Anse Havey learn ye thet
speech?"
Good Anse Talbot shook his head
patiently.
No. j told Anse ther same thing
I'm a-tellin' you. Neither Anse ner
ther four men that fetches ther body
VIII hev any sort OF weepon about
'em when they comes acrost thet stile.
we've sot ter give me yore hand thet
none or yore men hain't q goin' ter be
armed. I'm a servant OF ther Most
High God" For an instant fire blazed
In the preachers eyes and his voice
mounted with fervor Fer years I've
done sought ter teach his grace an his
hatred OF murder ter ther people OF
these hyar hills. When you two men
shakes hands on this truce aims ter
be standin by with a rine-gun in my
hands, an et sees anything crooked
I'm goin' ter use hit"
The dark giant stood for a time
silent, then he gravely nodded his
head Them terms suits me-" he
said briefly.
The two men walked down TO the
fence and separated there, going in
opposite directions.
A few minutes later Juanita, still
standing fascinatedly in the doorway,
was looking out across the shoulder of
the missionary. He presided at the
threshold with grave eyes. and, even
after these peaceful years. there was
something OF familiar caress in the
way his brown hand lay on his rifle
lock. Then the girl saw strange
and primitive ratification OF treaty.
On either side OF the little porch
stood > group OF solemn men, mostly
bearded, mostly coatless. and all un-
armed. In front OF those, at the right
stood Anse Havey, his eyes still the
dominant feature OF the picture.
Over across from him was the taller
and older chieftaiu OF the other clan.
They stood there gravely. with a
courtesy that cloaked their hatred
Out In the road was the "joltwagon."
and In Its deep bed the girl could see
the canvas that covered It's burden.
As Bad Anse took his place at the
front OF his escort his gaze met that
Cf Juanita. He did not speak, but for
an instant she saw his face harden,
his eyes narrow. and his lips set
themselves II was the glance OF ONE
who has been lashed across the face
and Uho cannot atrika hack buf ,,b,,