The Spectator., 1916-01-18
CHAPTER xxXVI.

CHAPTER tNxVi. People ill the mountains still talk of how, while Anse Havey lay on a white cot in the little hospital, young Milt McBriar set out toward Peril. He stopped for moment at the house of Bad Anse Havey and within twenty minutes the hills were being raked. Young Milt killed horse getting to Jeb McNash's cabin on Tribulation and Jeb killed another getting to Peril Then from Lexington came two surgeons as fast as a special train could bring them, and, thanks to a dogged life spark, they found Anse Havey still lingering on the margin. When they removed him from the operating table back to his cot and he opened his eyes to consciousness. the sun was coming through the shad ed window. but even before he knew that, he saw her face bending over him and felt cool fingers on his fore head.
 As his eyes opened her smile greet ed him. and she brushed his lips with her own. Then, in tone of com mand, she said "You mustn't talk. The doctors say you may get we'll if you obey orders and fight hard. It's partly up to you. Anse."
 Once more there lowered around the mans lips that occasional boyish smile.
 T reckon" he said slowly, "theyM ha,. oil ~T l-sll ..~s now!" Then he added in tone of more grimness: Besides, there's a score or two to settle"
 The girl shook her head and smiled. Her fingers rested caressingly on the dark hair that fell over his forehead.
 No, Anse," she told him. T settled most of them myself"
 
 Even the detachment of the murder squad that had played it's part in the woods and started for Peril before the five turned back did not reach their destination, but scattered into the hillsides. When morning brought the news of their attempt they tried to make their escape across the noun tains to Virginia.
 But there was grim and relentless system about the movement of two posses that set out to comb the tim Der. Daring to approach no house for food. the fugitives united and took up their stand in a stanch log cabin which had been deserted. and died there, grimly declining to surrender.
 hA -,.,, ulation and crossed through the notch in the mountains at the gap. but tho railroad came on terms quite different from those which Mir. Trevor and his ilk had planned.
 One day there rode away from the college a gay little procession on it's way to the McBriar domain. At it's head rode Young Milt, and on a pill lion behind him, as mountain brides had always ridden to their own houses. sat Dawn McBriar. That was some years ago. and at the big log house there is toddling, tow headed young person now whose Christian name is Anse Havey, though his fa- ther insists he is to be ultimately known as Bad Anse" McBriar
 One autumn day, when the air was as full of sparkle as champagne, and the big sugar tree just outside the hospital window was flaming in an ec- stasy of color. Miss Dawn Hayey opened her eyes on the world and found it acceptable.
 Jeb McNash was riding through the country that October seeking election to the legislature.
 He drew his horse down by tho fence.
 "Anse," he said in his slow drawl. its pity she's gal now. hain't it?"
 Anse shook his head. ''l reckon" he said, she's got more chance to Do like her mother Her mother made these hills better for being here, anu besides"
 He looked cautiously about and dropped his voice. as if speaking of a forbidden subject. yet into it cropt q note of pride, Besides, young feller, have you got any more notches on the stock of your gun than she has."
 TIE END.
 
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