The Southern herald., 1916-03-10

mists hung splendidly TO the ridges
and the sunset famed at his back.
Juanita never knew what details Of
the incident came to Old Milt's ears,
but when next the head of the house
passed her on the road he spoke with
a diminished cordiality, and when she
stopped him he commented: T hear
yere a-runnin' a Havey school over
thar now. Little Milt tells me ye
warned him often yore place"
She tried to explain, and though he
pretended to accept all she said in
good humor, she knew in her heart
she had made a powerful and bitter
enemy.
One afternoon Anse HaYey, wander
ing through the timber on his own
side of the ridge, came upon a lone
hunter, and when he drew near 1t
proved to be young Milt McBriar.
"Mornin', Milt," said Havey. Il didn't
know ye ever went huntin' over here" /"
The boy, who in feud etiquette was a
trespasser, met the scrutiny with a
level glance.
i was a-gunnin' for boomers" he
said, using the local phrase for red
squirrels of the hills. Il reckon ]
hain't hardly got no license ter go gun.
min on yore land"
Anse HaVey sat down on a log and
looked up at the boy steadily. At last
he said gravely:
Hunt as much as ye like, Milt, only
be heedful not to start no fires"
Milt nodded and turned to go, but
the older man called him back.
Il want to have a word with ye
Milt," he said soberly. II amt nevel
heard that neither the McBriars mo-
the Haveys countenanced settin' fir'
to dwellin'- houses, have your"
Il don't know what ye MEANS" re
sponded the boy and the gaze tina
passed between them was that of twt
men who can look direct into any eye
II lowed it would astonish ye," wen
on Anse. Back of the new school
house that's still full Of shavin's ar
loose timber there's little stretch O
dry woods that comes right down t
the back door. Somebody has don
laid a trail Of shavins an leaves i
the brush there an soaked 'em wit
coal-Oil. Some feller aims to bur
down that schoolhouse tonight"
did ye tell Miss Holland?" demand
ed Milt in voice of deep anxiety.
mo, l amt named 1t to her" Ba
Anse said with seeming indifference
} in his face, at which the lads bloc
!, boiled.
Does ye aim ter set hyar an let he
place git burnt up?" he snapped oil
wrathfully. Because if ye does,
don't"
Anse Havey laughed.
well, no." he replied; "I didn't all
} to do that"
Suddenly he rose.
} What l did aim to do, Milt, We
: this: aimed to go down there tonigl
} with enough fellers to handle eith'
the fire or whoever starts 1t. aimt
to see who was doin' trick like tina
3 Will you go with met"
= MET" echoed Milt in astonishmen
s This idea of the two factions acting
s consort was a decided innovation.
9 might be trap. Suddenly the boy d
e manded: why don't ye ask pap?"
81 don't ask your pap nothing"
a Havey's reply was a quick and true
lent snap that rarely came into h
a voice. I'm askin' you, an yol CT
J, take my proposition or leave it. TIL
!, house-burner is goin' to die. If he's OF
Of my people want to know It, If he
one Of your people you ought to fe
the same way. VIII you go with me
The boy considered the proposal
a time in silence. Dawn would be
danger! At last he said gravely:
"Hit sounds like fair propositio
I'll go along with ye, an meantime ]
I keep my own counsel"