Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-12-21
A Mountain
Maid
By Margaret Daisy Jameson

copyright, 1917, Western Newspaper Union.l
money will solve the problem, Use
1t freely. The company must and will
exterminate the Boyce-Grinnel raiders.
Thus the manager of the Brittln
Iron Works to Adrian Burgoyne, who
had been surprised at the strange mis-
sion indicated, but gratlfled at the con-
fidence reposed in him and the signal
discretion.
II shall do my best" he said, mod
estly, although it seems hardship
to legitimate business that few law
less men can block the wheels of in
dustry. Half the amount you are au-
thorized to spend might bride the
gang to let us alone, but the policy
and principle of the company is to SUBJ
NIT to no blackmail extortions."
The word DETERMINATION" had
tragic sound, but, according to the in
structions of Adrian Burgoyne, in
volved only the suppression Of the
lawless group to whom the manager
had alluded through isolation or cap
ture.
The Brittin Iron Works had q mag
nestle mine at Tilson, a little town
back In the widest part Of Tennessee.
In the rugged mountains beyond 1t
some ten outlaws represented the rem
nant Of two notorious moonshlne and
bandit gangs de1ed the community.
They would ride furlously into the set
Elements, and shoot them up and ter
rOrfze and rob their inhabitants.
Recently they had been after bigger
game. Wherever there was a plant or
business of any pretentious proportions
they would first threaten trouble
through anonymous letters. In most
cases the smaller companies timldly
submitted to paying regular tribute.
The dealings Of the band with the Brit.
tin Iron Works were on large scale.
Their epistolary menaces were disre-
garded. Within week two explosions
occurred in the pits. Some timid
workmen gave up their positions.
Burgoyne reacher Tllson and looked
oNci tic plluullOu. L1t lOuuu IL ueClu-
eddy serious. The workmen were in
Inundated, and the timid police officers
were reluctant to have anything to do
with the hunting down Of the outlaws.
Burgoyne went back to Leesburg
the nearest city. Here he approached
a private detective agency. It's pro-
prietor was amenable to the liberal re-
wards offered.
"Once we can get the gang rounded
up into court Of law" observed Bur-
goyne, there is evidence to land them
in the penitentiary for the rest of their
lives. / will pay one thousand dollars
for the apprehension Of each minor
member Of the band, and FIVE thousand
dollars for their leader, Budd Grin
nell"
When Burgoyne got back to Tilson
he went over the mines and inspired
the workmen with confidence and cour-
age by raising wages and organizing
an armed group of special watchmen.
In this he was slgnally aided by q man
named Zed Baines, who had lived In
the district for years, was fearless and
independent, and whom the outlaws
after several encumbers with that sure
shot, left distinctly alone.
It was the second week Of his so
journ at Tilson that Adrian started to
see Baines ut his home a little beyond
the limits Of the village. It was a
warm day he missed his way, sat down
against tree to rest, and the drowsy
summer air led him into profound
slumber.
what is this p he cried vaguely, as
he awoke at the CONSEQUENCES of hui
man contact. He stared In wonder. |
At his side knelt a verltable fairy Of
the forest, young girl, bronzed, tawny |
haired, In rough frontier garb. She
held his right hand in firm clasp. To |
Its back her lips were glued.
"Don't stir till tell you" she or
dered.
Then she disclosed steely blue
mound on the back Of his hand, and
pointed to q writhlng object In the
grass few feet away.
"a rattlesnake r. breathed Adrian, a
thrill, once he comprehended the stu
alton.
His grateful eyes fell upon the bent
head Of the intrepid girl, who had
probably discovered him just as the
fangs Of the vemenous serpent had
sunk into his hand, had dispatched the
snake, and probably had saved his life.
Come, quick you must rum" she
urged. "Our house is less thon half
mile away. Fight off the drowslness
until we get some medicine down you"
A sight OF his hand, now swollen to
double It's normal size, urged him on.
When he reached a rude cabin, once
within II he sank exhausted to q chair.
The girl ran over to jug on u shelf
and filed a quart tin cup with the
liquor 1t contained.
Drink" she ordered, pressing the
cup to Adrlan's lips.
"What Is tn" he demonstrated fee.
bly,.
ut is whisky"
II have never touched It,"
you will, this time" answered his
nurse-"lt's all that will
save you"
II did save him. Adrian awoke,
weak and nervous but out Of danger,
% 1hd his beautiful little friend ne his
iit.B with a steaming bowl Of broth.
For several days he felt the effects Of
he snake bite. He spent most Of his
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