The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-01-12

nees. end h1s YA6e had 90 far ESCAPED
thssclouding veil Of aullennsss which
she % often saw.
AZ tarst she Was . little confused o.
to how to approach the subject, and
TIE boy rolled cigarette as he stood
respectfully waiting.
"Milt," she said at last, please don't
misunderstand me. It's not because
want to, but I'VE got to ask you to give
me promise. You see, I need your
help"
At that the half smile left the boys
lips ard half frown came to his eyes.
Il reckon I know what ye mean" he
said. Young Jeb. he's asked We ter
warn ine OF. Why don't Jeb carry his
own messagesr' -
"Milt," she gravely reminded him,
resting her hand for a moment on his
coatsleeve. "it's more serious than
that. Jeb ordered me to send his sis.
ter back to the cabin. You are 'hav-
Ing an education. want her to have
one. She has the right to It. I love
her very dearly. Milt, and II you are
= friend you won't rob her Of her
chsnce."
The boys eyes flashed.
AN ye're goin' ter send her back
thar ter dwell amongst them raxorback
hawgs an houn.dswss an fsass" he
demAnded spiritodly. A-.sts'af %
THAT depends on you. Jeb 10 the
head Of his family. I lqcan't keep her
without his consent Ihad to promise
him that you shouldn't visit her."
For . moment the heir to the Nc.
Briar leadership stood twisting the toe
ofihis heavy boot In the dust and ap-
.parently contemplating the little rings
L stamped out, Then he raised his
eyes and contemplatively studied the
crestS Of ridges softening with the
coming Of sunset. gis ss r"
At last he Inquired. ''what hes Dawn
got ter sayf' -'A Il
|. "Dawn hasn't said much,s Juanita
faltered, remembering me girls 'tirade,
them she confessed: sFou see; Milt,
Just now Dawn 10 thinking Of herself
a . Havey and Of you - . McBriar.
All ! ask 10 that you wont try to see
her while she's here af the school
not. st al events, until things are dif.
ferent." : 80 sAI>.t f'ia;0 3s i-~ss ''
The boy was wrestling with youths
unwillingness to be coerced.
AN let Dawn think that her
brother skeered mo offf" he questioned
at last with . note Of. rising defiance.
Dawn shan't think that. She ahall
know that you have acted with q eenr
tleman's Ggenerosity. Mi1t-and because
i've asked you to do It."
"Hain't I good enough ter keep com.
pany with Fletch McNssh's galf" The
lad was already persuaded, but his
stubborpness .nred this parting shot.
It's not . question OF that, Milt, and
you know IT," declared Juanita. Its
Just that one Of your people killed one
Of his. Put yourself IN Jsb's place" {"
6till for while the boy stood there
'scowling down at the ground, but ct
last he raised his face and nodded.
Its = bargain. ma'am, but mind I
only says J won't s6e her htar. Some
day IN make Jeb pay far 1T"
He mounted and rode away while
the lazy. haxy sweetness Of the smoky
mists hung splendidly to the ridges
and the sunset famed at his back
Juanita never knew what details Of
the incident carne to Old Milt's ears.
but when next the head Of the house
passed her on the road he spoke with
. diminisAsd cordiality. and when she
stopped him he commented: II hear
ye're arsunnin' q Havcy school over
thar now. Little Milt tells me 70
warned him oAen yore place"
She tried TO explain. and though he
psstended 70 accept all she said In
eood humor. she knew In her heart
sne had Eaads . powerful and bitter
enemy.
One afternoon Anse Havey, wander.
tng through the timber ON his own
side OF the ridge. came upon q lone
hunter. and when he drew near Il
proved to be young Milt. McBriar.
Mornin, Mtlt." said Hayey. II didn't
NOV ye ever went huntin' over here"
The boy. who in feud etiquette was 4
nespasser. met the scrutiny With .
level glance. go st = . FEST 's2''' y
was a-gunnin' for boomers,s he
said, USING the local phrase for red
squirrels Of the hills. II reckon I
haint hardly got no liOenao tar ro snn.
MIN on yofe land"
Anse Havey sat down on q lox and
looked up At the boy steadily. At last
he said sravely:
Hunt az much a. ye like, Milt, only
be heedful not to start no fires."
miit nodded and turned to 60. but
the older man called him back,
- want to have q word with ye.
Miit." he said soberly. II amt never
nesrd that neither the McDriars nor
the Haveys countenanced settin' fire