Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1917-08-16

ahe figure Of the girl was just dis
cernlble. flashing IN and out among
the shrubbery In Night that derided
/ pursuit. Morse resumed his plscat0f5al
diversion, but he smiled once and
again a. the rest and oddly Of this
chance meeting occurred to his mind
He caught himself whistIing low and
melodiously a vagrant strain Of the
Wild siren like song that had be.
| wildered his fancy.
Il wonder who she can be, and
where she acquired that superb volcef''
ruminated Morse. Zone thing sure
she Is a revelation Of beauty and
grace"
The echoes OF the riotous melody
were fresh In his mind the next day.
Almost at the same spot where he had
met with his adventure the day pre-
vious, the following afternoon Morse
came across two men, bearded, rough
looking. keen eyed. evidently noun
taineers, guns across their shoulders,
evasion and suspicion in their bearing.
Morse tried to engage them In a
casual conversation. 1t was diff
cult task. Then he drifted into in-
quiries as to the girl. She was Idalia,
that was all. lived with her uncle.
Morse expressed q vast interest in the
superb voice Of this same Italia. The
men eyed him with q certain aversion
and went their way.
Every day for q week Morse haunt
ed the lonely woodland stretch, hop
ing onae again 10 come across the fair
nymph who had 30 attracted him. One
afternoon, hot and wearled, he flung
himself under the grateful shade OF q
cl0lstered nook 10 slumber, and awoke
to hear voices near him.
THE fellow doesn't seem 70 be In
evidence today" sounded arst IN gruft
tones.
IF he Is, It won't do much good.
The old man has locked the girl up
and threatened all sorts Of things, but
she simply won't lure him to the old
hut By singing that song"
"Why not pounce on him anyway
and carry him there by forceT' came
the next words. I'VE can watch and
hold him TIL he pays tho ransom
money"
In fash Morse c0mprehended the
situation. There was a plot to capture
him and hold him for ransom. Al the
owners OF the voices, two sturdy noun
taineers. moved on. he followed them.
The tran led past the hut he had been
trying 10 locate for many days past.
He waited until they had gone BY Il.
Then no entered boldly. An old man
sprang up from cleaning a rife as
Morse confronted him,
ave come 70 put myself In your
hands. or arrange for what Iaoney
you want" spoke Morse plainly. "only.
your niece must not suffer on my ac-
count"
you're q plncky one and a real gem
tleinan." responded old Abel Reeves.
Tho boys think you're a revenue OH
Ger. and you don't get away. now
you're here" and no drew a formid-
able looking six-shooter. "What
brought you around these dlRgings.
anyhow"
because the town Il the one where
my father oflre lived" replied Morse.
''fIe was Judge Warren Morse"
In an instant the Old mans manner
changed. Ills eyes glowed. He threw
down his weapons. Hts voice broke.
"son," he Haid, almost affecfionate-
~. ~ you are kin Of tho man who
saved me from the gailows BY a furi-
Gus mob ten years ago, there's moth
ing here too good for yon. Go. you
are free. II that you choose. Stay. II
you VIII, as an bonored guest"
sAnd the airlr pressed Morse urR-
ingly.
I'm ashamed % the trap set for
you. but we're poor. ignorant folks
here. and pretty wicked" biuntly con-
fessed old Reeyea "Not Idalls.
though, I'm sorry I've treated her
hnrshiy"
One day a month later Idalla entered
the hut 20 find Morse and her faiher
engaged in serious conversation.
"Idalla," spoke tho latter. mfr.
Morse has told me n story. It's about
gal he loves That's you. lilo wants
10 marry you. Speak your mind. my
child I'll miss you. but you'll be hap
ply. DO you want this manT"
s0h, unclei7 finttered Idalin. bury