Pittston Gazette

              B81ABLISI1KD VUL. XLVII. » 860. Oldest Newspaper in the Valley. PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO., PA., FRIDAY. FhBRU vRY 2«i. 1897. * Weekly local and Family Journal. (,l-?8.I*uSi*s sTio was hardly counted a Methodist. pay someoodyelse ter stand up an 'fend for my gal an her rights. Ef you don't —well, it aiu't er nice story I can set gwine erbout them last horses that was stole at McGregor's an what was done with 'em." CHAPTER XIV. he can help us erooat mat iano matter er yours. It does seem ter me no man ner men couldn't er took off anything so well known as your old mare ner so handsome as that high steppia oolt er hers 'thout somebody a-seein 'em, least somewhar'a Thar oughtor be bills out au er reward onorecr— in Oldbridge, in the very beginning of tilings, and Graball hud said, getting a clean hundred dollars for the saying, that iu Mr. Topmark's hypothetical case right might Jio on one Ride. Law was certainly on tho other. If a wife had not quitclaimed property held jointly or bought in her behalf, no sure title passed to its purchaser. Her children or children's children were entitled torecover not only the laud itself, but a reasonable rent for it, this all tho more if they had lived out of the state and naturally in ignorance of their righta That condition indeed made the statute of limitation inoperativa Holders of such land could set up only adverse possession and plead in equity innocent purchase. Even if they avowed that there hai been quitclaiming in tho original transaction to establish such avowal legally they must submit the deed or a record of it or an exact and attested transcript of the original. It had almost taken her breath when he bade her get ready to come with him to Bethel tonight. She did not know how for weeks something Brother Green had said had been ringing in her husband's mind. The minister's horse cast a shoe one Sunday as he was riding past. He had routed out the smith to save the beast from going Matt had boasted ever since ho was grown' that every minister thereabout was afraid to face him and name religion. Brother Greea did not name it, but at parting be said: "Thanky, Matt, for an excellent job. I've heard of you all around here—how well vou knew your business—yes, and some other things. One is that you never take a dare. Now, I dare you to come and see if I know my trade as well as you do yours." It was thirst, not any thought of adventure, that made Rtb whe n :-ho came to her own demesne turn aside to Aunt Pheiny's cabin. Hob Raid, slipping away over the narrow front porch and on down the gravel walk that led to the front gato. There were priin, spiny cedars at guard either side of it. White moonshine drew silhouettes of them upon the sparse turf at foot. Lanterns feebly flickering ainid tlio green boughs, in Miss Winfold's judgment, gave the whole affair a touch and tang of style. But Rob, the audacious, set one light upon the ground and laid as she sprang up beside Jack: travagance—a magazine gun,. Jight. and trustworthy. Lion, watching her, crawled to her feet, giving (Jut little, Idw, appealing whines, yet not-offerkig to uiicrouch without her word. "It is only a step out of the way," she said to herself, "and my throat is parched. Besides Aunt Phemy ought to bo glad to see mo. I hope she will not be cross, as she was tf»e last time. 'Marse Robert, he better had tolo de trufe,' she said then. As if anything could make me tell him I My darling daddy 1 I would suffer torture first." "No, no, you shan't. I'll kill you furstl" Magnolia cried, clutohing the "No I Keep guard 1 Good boy ! Guard!" Rob said, shaking her head anclrunniug lightly away. The dog quivered all over in his eagerness to follow, but lay obediently on the floor, head to tht^ind. "Yes, I dare say," Rob broke in. "But., you see, Mr. Reed, I have not any bad money to throw away after good horses. I believe you legal gentlemen have a fiction that all money is bad." old woman by the throat. As they swayed back and forth over the rough floor the visitor snatched his hat and rushed away. As he galloped up hill, down dell, his thought ran: "Cuss the old witch I Yes, she knows. It's kill er bo killed. I'm er merciful mau an just, but—but any man has got ter stand up fer his own self." "I do wonder what it can be," Rob repeated. Then she laughed aloud and added, "I wonder why I wonder when I shall certainly soon find out." "It does make most er the trouble in tho world, either haviu it er losin it er lackin it," Mr. Reed said profoundly, and mentally patted himself on the back for having spoken so well. "Of oo'se you ain't sean, but jest fer form's sake we must ask you—you an Aunt Phemy —ef you've saw any long, danglin feller, lean as or houn, with black eyes an er hangdog look, either passin the road er skulkin in tho bushes yore?" "I could not take a chance of scaring Timothy and Clover. The darlingal They must go 50 miles before morning." ***#•# The cabin stood only a little way off the mill road. Passersby often stopped there for a drink from the spring. In her heart Aunt Phemy was glad to see them, though she kepfej her face impassive. Company! Whal did it matter? she said. She bad hef pigs, her fowls and her big dog Tige, who was Lion's full brother and the savoger beast of the two. COPYRIGHT. ,896. By tut AuTmJR The company broke an hour later. Scenting thunder in the air, Lawyer Howell pleaded that the night was bo fine he had rather walk the mile to Topmark's. He had a foxy sharpness that had made plain to him some part of what was under the cards. Topmark angry was, he knew experimentally, an ugly customer.' Let his wrath expend itself properly on his own flesh and blood, not an innocent stranger seeking diversion and honest profit. As the gate clicked behind, him Mrs. Winfold burst out: "Brother, ef you kill me fer it, I must say it. Oh, do promise me you won't let that despisable little vixen make a mock of you no more, like she did ternight. I thought 1 should die, I did, seein the airs she put on." Teddy Barton was always hospitable, especially with his employer out of tbo way. But those about him the night of the party were amazod at the lavishuesa with which he set out things to eat and drink, particularly to drink. One round of bottlea was not empty before fresh ones were in their place. There was no great company of the revelers,, only two of Teddy's chums, a man or two from the hoop pole region who were each in Mr. Topmark's debt, and Enoch Annis, Whritu Teddy called familiarly Noch. CHAPTER XII. "Preaching at early candlelight," the presiding elder had Raid in giving oat the order of services at tho close of his Sunday sermon, bat it was far past .he early dosk before."a single minister same. Tbere were three besides Brother Walton. Brother Green, Bethel's incumbent, a poor Speaker, but powerful in prayer and nneqnaled iu pastoral labors, wan not expected to preach many times. The visitors would do that Still it was in him that tho devout founded their hope for a season of refreshing. Wherever he had been sent theretofore revivals had followed his ministry, the hopeful took heart, the discouraged lifted the bead, and even the sinners avowed that Brother Green beyond all others brought home to them their lost estate, ' ' yet* gave no offense in tbe bringing. Niceties of doctrine, you see, were left oat of revival preaching. Instead there was Jesus Christ and him crucified, the unsearchable riches of his love, tbe. ineffable pathos of bis all sufficient was broken only by tho shrilling of tree toads, the Bibilant clamor of katydids, and, undervoicing thorn, the stamping of many hoofs from the tethered beasts in the grove. Thursday afterward Mrs. Winfold gave a quilting, which it was understood would lead up to a mild evening party. That was the ending of all quiltings there since Mias Alice came to womanhood. But, strange to relate, Teddy Barton was not to come with the other young fellows to the merrymaking. Mr. Topmark had said flat he paid ' 'Teddy fer doin other things than gallivautin round like er geutTemau of leisure. I am tired er keepin er dog aji then doin hisbarkin." Teddy had got to stay at tho store that night, if no other. Stranger still, Teddy was jubilantly chippor, though he mado open and loud lamentation over old Top's Budden meannesa He did not mean to mope. That was one thing certain. "I'll git er lot er fellers all by my lonesome an have fun as is fun." Matt had dared, with this result. His " wife, trembling and cxying in a stifled, Brother Green got tip slowly and began to ning: , hojM'loss fashion, longed inexpressibly , to go to her beloved tyrant, bat feared "O brothers, will you moet me; O brothers, will you mwt mo; O brothers, will you meet me On Cannon'a hap-py shore?*' In his guard she was safe, no matter who came or went. The cabfek sat in a screen of tangle. The path to it ran jaggedly through vagrant growths of sumac, sassafras fruitftff young grapevines. It wound so, indeed, coming iu from the front, you hardly saw the roof until you were in the shade of the gourd arbor abovo tho door. Thus Hob was almost facing her before sho saw that the old woman was not alone, but sight of the visitor in nowise dis oomfited her. It was apparently a tall, lean woman, with powerful shoulders, yet a stooping, hollow cheat, who sat upon the doorstep, with arms locked .ibout the kneea "If such a man has passed,I have not seen him," Rob said, facing the offioial, though her heart was thumping fast. "Aunt Phemy can answer for herself. J3nt, if you must search the place, please do not go near the house. If pappy knew, it would make him so unhappy''_"An thar ain't nare scratch ter be found er sech er paper, not in none er the county records," Mr. Topmark had said, rubbing his hands as ho rode away. He repeated it with unction, inly, when he saw the lawyer, sloek and flaxen, his chair tipped comfortably back against a pillar of the porch and Teddy Barton gazing at him with open eyed admiration. Teddy had indeed paid the man from town the compliment of his life by remaining silent full five minutes while the other talked. He had even admitted to his inner consciousness that there was one more man in the world could tie a cravat with as much sty Id as Teddy himself. But of that Mr. fopmark reckoned nothing. He was t««o rapt in his own ooncerns. "Now, Rob, my darling, " he was saying to himself, "I hope you'll be sensible an gimme er chance ter settle this yere business the way I lika Ef you but knowed it, my gal, you ain't got no show without me. Thar ain't hoof ner horn you kin sell. The whole crap, ef it was in the barn, wouldn't fetch er hundred dollars. An thar's the ole man. Yon wanter keep bim in cotton wool You're er fool fer that, but be hanged ef I don't love you oener jest Decause er sech foolishness. Jack Talbot is better ter look at'n me, but you won't take him, not ef you're sensible. But you ain't sensible. I don't believe I want you ter be neither. Ef I thought you'd take me fer what I've got, I wouldn't be nigh so mad after you. I'd ruther sorter make you take me an then coax you inter lovin me than ter have you drap in my mouth because er what I kin give you." him too much to make a forward step, j lie might repulse, might even strike, . he*. She sat close, quite hidden in the fnfcss of standing peopie. A sudden great shout made her start electrically. She knew; she understood. As he had j reviled him, her husband was praising ' God iu the fullness of hid great strength, in the face of all men. If only she might reach him! But how could she move? She sat down limp, half senseless, when some one parted the throng about her, some one slim and light of foot, who tor'k her hand in a warm clasp and led he*, unresisting, up to the place of Hill Toit* was harshly strong except in the head register. There it became a clarion, sweet and full of silver. In the rising throng a hundred throats caught up the old camp meeting tune and swelled it tn a flood. Some of the voices made disoord, but it was overborne, washed away, in the sweeping tide of harmony that rang and rolled as though it might reith the stars. Below the reverberant swelling of it the ear caught a tempest of sobs, of groans, of heartbroken, penitent exclamations from tho crowd of kneeling figures about the altar. All these Teddy kept uproariously going. By midnight, what with his wit and whisky, they were drunken ripe for any sort of adventure—alJ, that is, save Annis. He had grown more sober and saturnine apparently with each gla.-is. Indeed, he said contemptuously aside, "Teddy was blame slow in bringin things to a head." But Teddy answered only with a wink and an explosive giggle, then struck up .wildly: "He shan't be bothered, depend on that," the doputy said, smiling down at her. Tho other men had come up to him, their long mustaohes beaded at the ends with fair water. Aunt Phemy stood with eyes downcast She had the African iustinct of secrecy and had instantly caught Rob's cue. "Did you?" asked Mr. Topmark. with ah ugly snarl. "Sis lemme tell you this is a mighty bad tim® fer snivelin an backbitin. I stand ter what I told you. I mean ter marry that girl in spite er all tbo women in Christendom, eben herself." praiie. Rob, of course, was asked to both the quilting and the party. Miss Winfold wrote a honeyed note in her very best sloping hand. Mrs. Winfold said in the bosom of her family: "I jest ached ter leave that little limb out, but it wouldn't do—no, never in the world. Brother would be so mad. He is the biggest fool about that girl; said he couldn't even tell the time of day ef he waEu't lookiu op toward Hoecoe. Mayby, though, she'll have sense enough not to come. She said always she hated quilts and quiltin. Of course she no need ter work ef come she does, though really a few stitches ain't moch ter pay fer a mighty good dinner." " 'Tnin't nobody wonterlong dis way as I seed,"- she said; then, dropping a sort of courtesy; "I hear Sis Liza an Aun' Viny Johnson say las' night as dee corned home from pra'ar meetin dee gut er skeer from some sort er critter. Dee 'lowed it wus er han't, dar on do hill by Topmark's grabeyard. It wus long an high, dee say, an groan so dee Bho' thank it wus ole man Topmark dono come back 'case er de way he son Ben carryin on sence ho los' he wife." Somehow way was made for them, and at lust the throng parted to let the sobbing woman come face to face with her husband. The next minute she lay against his breast, with his tears raining over her face. "Thank yon, Miss Rob, an help me thank God," he said to her convoy. "Men an brethren, hear me tell it Only God knows what this here pore little creeter has had ter b'ar an suffer fer me. Ef ever I mistreats her ag'in, may tbe good God that has jest been sbowin me his love fling me back furder an wusser'n ever inter the dark I've lef' behind." In ppite of the heat the stranger was huddleid in a frouzy shawl. A deep sunbonnet shroude'd head and face. Tho long lower limbs showed gannt and shrunken beneath the thin folds of a faded caliro skirt. As Rob's shadow fell on tho earth the creature started and drew the poor skirt yet closer about her feet, as though seeking to hide poverty, yet more pitiful. Rob noted the action with a sympathetic thrill, then said with a civil nod: "Cyarve dat possum 1 Cyarve dat possum I Cyarve an conk dat possum, Chilians! Cyarvo him ter de huartl" Teddy was among them. He had been indeed the first to answer the call for penitents. He had rushed up the aisle and flung himself prone in tbe clcan straw at Brother Milliiken'sfeot, shrieking out his fear of the wrath to come. Miss Winfold. too, half rose, as though she would go forward, but Nina had plucked her sleeve, saying, with vigorous shakes of the head:"Agh! Aglil Alice, you mustn't do that. You know mommer won't like it. It—it'll make you so conspicuous." "What? With folks talkin as they do? An after the way she acted ternight nobody cain't deny nothin that may be said of her an Jack Talbot"— Mrs. Winfold began, but paused at sight of her brother's livid face. He drew a hard breath, then broke out: Then ingeniously he led the talk to night riding* and raidiugB, repeating vaingloriously tales caught from his elder brothers of what he called "patter rollih" in the slave times and later with the Kuklux. It must have been fun alive, he said. "Say, now, why net) try jest er little of it? a-plenty scattered all round the (_*iitry, an good men fuid horses jest goin ter waste aC the sto'. All fellers that air game bole up the right hand, b'George!" Everybody was game. Just wait till he could get out a few things. The fun should be bad in style—yes, if it broke the store. Topknot? Hang Topknot! Who was he anyway? Besides he was so love crazy he "wouldn't never know it ef half the stock was taken, let 'lone jest ernough white stuff an black ter dress the Kukluxers like they oughter be. Fact, it'd be the best sort er joke, an ef the ole man dares ter^cheep—why, tell him ter go ter Halifax?" sacrifice. The heart, not the head, was the point of attack, except on Sunday morning, when the presiding elder preached. A tall shrewd, kindly, ' • oWrheaded enough to1 rule a state and - full enough of love to God and man to v bend etery energy to their reconcile ? merit, he had raised the standard of tbe tj?'' - crow m became a leader in tbe church ipilitmit, then gone his way to other - J, fields, spout*i that it would be strenuously upheld. For besides Brother Green and young Brother Walton there was 4*.' Brother MiUikun, the local lioentiate. He was old, so old be bent under his " w«ight at years, yet still so full of zeal a aad fire be carried his listeners along . with bim. Almost wholly unlettered, ite had yet a rude and simple dignity, a sincere eloquence, that put the schoolnien-oftem to the blush and made their studied act aenm poor and mean. As the ministers oame in each made his way to the high box pulpit, knelt a minute in silent prayer, then rose to sit I beside his brethren. Brother Walton was to preach, and expectation was on edge, since 'it had been bruited about that he was not less eloquent than tbe famous Mafflt, of whom tbe elder members hart many memories. Brother Walton was young, very young, for his 27 yean. His eyes were ohildlike in their limpid brilliance. There was suggestion ,Cr at infancy, too, in his curling silken kair, clipped close to the head, and the fiickering rose of his cheek. Ont of tbe pulpit he was but a quiet, well brad "All they says is lies, the damnedest sort. You know that—yes, as well as I do. The gal is er reg'lar touch me not, but she don't need ter be. The man don't live that could try ter make free with her when she looked at him as she can. Another thing—you have got ter stop your seandalizin. It's good words fer her er none ef you wanter keep friends with me." "Oh, ho, hoi Beg your pard'n, Miss Rob, but that's jest too rich!" the deputy said, laughing explosively. He had heard—who had not?—of Topmark's infatuation. If Rob became Mrs. Topmark No. a, her influence would be a thing to covet, for Topmark certainly carried tho district in his pocket when it came to local elections. The whites divided always on lines of social or personal cleavage. It was tho black votes which really told for a fellow or against him, and the storekeeper swung the black vote as bo pleased. "Good morning, madam. Aunt Phemy, bow are you? Don't get mad when I tell you my last turkey hen has oome home with ten flno young ones, for all you were so certain the foxes had caught her. The little ones are beauties and so pert. Why, they can outrun me now. Though they are so late, I mean to raiso them just to show you wise people that you don't know everything." Mrs. Talbot gave Nina what she meant for a severe look. Iu Alice's ear she said, "Do whatever your heart prompts, dear child." But the momentary softness had passed, and Miss Winfold was herself, placid and calculating as ever. She dropped her eyes modestly and said, with a delicate confusion: Mrs. Winfold had social ambitions like herself, small and narrow. They began and ended indeed in the purposeful desire to get the most and best of all that was going for herself and her own. It was utterly past her comprehension, the McGregor delight in hostotality for its own sake. Rob McGregor had firm nerves. She turned from the pair with the first choke in her throat she had known in all that wonderful night. "I'll treat her like she was a queen from this time on," Mrs. Winfold said spitefully. "But the Lord knows I don't see nothin in her ter set you an all you men so crazy after her. Ef you git her, the worst wish I make yon is that you may not be sorry of it the last day you live." CHAPTER XIIL '•» "I do love God an waut to serve him, Mrs. Talbot, but—but maybe it is best *n wait a little while lonuer. vou know 11 seems tome one ougtit to—to ue very sore about anything so solemn." The revival proved to a so/t of ppiritual cyclone. Its force was spent early in the week. Though the ministers kept on hopefully until next Sunday, they got few converts after Wednesday night. But the church had been refreshed—all admitted that—though there was head shaking over more than one name among those of the probationers, Teddy Barton's in particular. Such landmark sinners as bad escaped the flood of grace even said of his change of heart: "Ef he holds fast ter the promises, the day of merakles ain't past Let him hear er fiddle C£ see er foot, shake, an you look outl He's plum crazy over dancin, an besides he's sech or liar it wouldn't be strange ef he was tryin ter come it that a-way eben over the Lord Almighty." "Uph! Dut dest your owdaoious luck. Had er been my ole turkey hen her haid'd been off uu Br'er Fox done had er dinner er whole mont'ago," Aunt Phemy said, pretending to frown,though she gave really a mild chuckle. ■•-.it All Walnut Creek save Mrs. Talbot came to the quilting early and with itching ears. Every woman of them knew so well Mrs. Winfold's knack of gossip there was a distinct feeling that it was a mighty pity Mr. Topmark could not be some one else's brother for this day, if no longer. Still, leaving him out of account, there was tho matter of Jack Talbot and Rob McGregor. Most unaccountably Luce Allen's tale had got bruited about, with emendations that made it well worth hearing. By this time it was upon most hands agreed that there had been a great scene. Mam Liza had denounced Jack to his face as a trifler, the old man had overheard and had bidden the young one either take the girl or leave her for good and always, and Jack, who had gone there every day, did not go there any more. Not unnaturally the good women—they were really very good—who sat stitching away at the latest Winfold triumph in patchwork, made up their minds as the story was told in chorus that Jack was innocent of anything beyond warm friendliness and Rob guilty of deep and desperate designs. He had been Bilently soliloquizing in front of his dead wife's fine, big bureau. Looking himself carefully over in the mirror, he half sighed, stroked his stubbly mustache, then all at once sat suddenly down, with an odd, smothering pain at his heart It passed in a second or two, but left him white and shaken. "I mus' put er stop ter that," he said hoarsely. "The ole witch! Black Sam had spells like that all winter befo' he died, an the niggers all said he was conjured."**» * 1* Not in set words, »Dut dimly and afar off, all this rushed through the official's mind. He had good reason for not wanting Miss Rob McGregor to remember him as a rude and pestilent fellow. Now, no doubt on her father's account, she was anxious to have the posse go in some other direction. So much he read shrowdly underneath her smiling oomtesy, and she should have ber way. There was certainly small likelihood that the man they hunted lay hid at Roscoe, for all it had so much tangled scrub. Anyway tho chance was too remote to be worth making ber an enemy Facing about, ho said to his followers, speaking low and rapidly: "I think I've got a clow. Wo'll ride fer the big n.eadders an not spare our stock. Good day, Miss .Rob! You be right easy erbout your par. Ef we bad ter chase the feller past your gate, they shouldn't nobody make noise ornnnoh ter let him know what was up. Now, r!*? hard, boys. Poor wrotchl I've notbin ag'in him, but it's our juty ter ketch him ef only we kin." • • "O oo-eel Look! Look! Teddy! He'n professed. Heur him shontin!" Nina cried, craning her neck for a better ▼iew of the altar stir. By this everybody was standing, and at least half the more zealous among Bethel members were up among the penitente, praying, counseling, consoling. They made itn indetarminate throng in the open square before the pulpit Teddy bad sprang upright in the middle of it, waving his arms and wildly crying: "Thanky. I'll risk it I'm of age," Mr. Topmark snorted. "Icouldn't make you understand—I won't try it—that she's one er the sort that's worth all the pretty women in the world. I cain't make you understand, neither, how I feel about her, but I reckon you do know plain English when you hear it, an this I've got ter say—she's my choioe er all the world." Some half an hour later there was n grotesque procession down the road and over the creek. Two and two the men rode, their horses half covered with whitecloth. The riders had black cloths over the face and carried stout sticks, from which other cloths, black and white, floated and flapped as they moved along. Teddy, riding in the rear with Noch, gave a low, satisfied whistle. "Huh! Don't b'leeve the ra-ale Kuklux looked any horribler'n us fellers," he said. "Hey, thar, all er you! Stop yero at the creek an git your months full er gravel. Then the devil that owns yon cain't tell by listenin who you air. " "Ah, how jealous youarel Aunt Phemy, I didn't think that of you," Rob retorted, lotting her eyes rest casually upon the bands of the visitor. They were hard aud brown, two masses of knotted niu*cle, with long, coarse hair straggling over them and a curious pale ring 011 the skin about one wrist. Though Rob looked away instantly, she knew the strange woman had felt her gaze aud been disquieted by its uoto of details, for the knotted hands were drawn bi»ck and begun nervously to wrap themselves in the ends of the thin shawl. . . As he went out on the porch Luley dropped her beloved crochet work and sidled up to him, saying, with an air of weariness, "Popper, lemme go with you ter Aunt Sarah's ternight?" "Don't mind mommer, Uncle Ben. She's a little foolish over us, you know," Alice said suavely. But Mr. Topmark was striding away without so much as a good night "Glory! Glory! God is my Father! I know he loves me, eben me. Glo-ry! Glor-ee-ee!" Mr. Topmark only laughed when he beard such speech. He had other and much more important things upon hia mind. Though the letter to Lawyer Howell had been so painstakingly composed, it rested still in the depths of his desk, awaiting, like himself, certain turns of affairs. Rob he had seen only casually and afar off sinoe the great Monday night. For some reason or none he had kept away from her after it Of course nobody dreamed of connecting his abstention with the conspicuous presence in the nightly gatherings of Mrs. Annis and her niece from" the Eelenoy." gentleman, singularly refined in speech and accent, to whom wandering dogs came of their own accord and frightens. ed children clang if by cnanoe in* Held out a hand to them. But in the pnlpit Walnut Creek had heard what stirred it to the liveliest curiosity concerning him. Yet Teddy Barton said to Jack Talbot as they sat side by side: "I lay, yes, anything yon Rot the min' ter name, oie Br'er Milliken nan tie one hand behind him an knock the socks often thisyere new fellow. He ain't no slouch, ole Br'er Milliken. Why, sometimes when I been listenin 'boot er boor ter him preach in erbout thqr shall be no night Char, neither any mo' wpepin, an the Lamb er God wiptn erway all tears from er feller's eyes :i 'j "Hey I Have you set out too? Who air you castin sheep's eyes at?" Mr. Topmark asked, laughing, glad to have any distraction just then. "I didn't know I had er grown daughter. When did you put on loug dresses?'' "Bluss the Lord! Sing bis all ye people," Brother Green sai(!*from , the pulpit steps. Brother Millikeu Jiari been kneeling beside Teddy, praying low and earnestly for him. Now be got np and stood, tall and tremulous, beside the rejoicing youth. At the very back of tho house Teddy's mother, a thin, discouraged looking woman in shabby weeds, pushed her way into the aisle and made to go to her son. Before she had got half way Nina Winfold flung herself over the pew in front of where she sat, darted up the passway and caught Teddy's hands in her owu, her face working, tears raining over it Aunt Phemy, too, noted tho movement. She half turned in her chair and said slowly: "I llinT gnrlgin yoa no ros', Miss Who-rber-ynu-is, but I s'pec's you better had be trabblin. I dono kep' you now longer'n I tole you you monght stay when you come yere ter my do' 'fore do zarn er day." When they were again in motion, Noch rode at the head, and Teddy brought up the rear. They had changed face and were going straight toward Roscoe. When some one asked confusedly where they were bound and who was to be disciplined, Noch answered, with an oath, "Oh, we'll show yon befo' we tell yon." Rob hardly spoke throughout the three mile drive to Roscoe. When they had got half way from the outer gate to the bouse, she laid a timid hand on Jack's arm, saying softly: "I wish I could put 'em on," Luley said, sighing deeply. "Then I oould marry an take Jinney an Anny ter live with me soon as oar stepmother comes. Aunt Sarah says all stepmothers are mean as they can be, but I don't believe Miss Rob will beat us. That's why I want ter go ternigbt, so I can beg her ter take yon an keep you from chasin off after that hateful old Miss Mandy Allen." "Stop her©, please. I don't ask what you are thinking of me, Jack. I am too sure you have not got out of your habit of helping people who cannot help themselves."As they clattered noisily away Rob iteppod inside the cabin. The convict had flung off his woman's garb and sat with burning eyes in a face as white as death. His jagged brow was beaded with cold sweat. At sight of the girl he pnt his hands upon his breast aud said, shaking as though the words came from desert dryness: "Oh. don't send her away, Aunt Phemyl It is hot, and she looks so very tired," Rob said, plucking at the black woman's sleeve. "Maybe she is more sick than tired. Keep her nutil tomorrow. 1 know that is what pappy woald say." "I expect she countod on gittin Jack through him bein so high toned. You know all the Talbots are awfully high toned," Mrs. Brazzleton, mother of Sophy Ann, said to her next neighbor, who nodded aud said, measuring a length of thread: Then they rode in silence for ten minutes or more. Speech was not easy with thoSe disguising pebbles. More than one of the gang made to spit them out and discourse with drnnken gravity, but was stopped by the man at his elbow. Presently Noch fell back and spoke with Teddy in a hushed undertone. The conference was brief, and at the end Teddy said: "No vi'lence. Remember that 'hove all things. We jest wanter make the witch woman swaller some er her own stuff, then take her ter the swamp an leave ber. Mayby she'll find herself; mayby she won't That's none er our lookout." "You mean you know I would go to the world's end for you," Jack said, his breath quickening. "Sweetheart, only tell me"— Mr. Topmark was mighty civil to them, tethering their horses and seeing that they were properly mounted, but no one thought more than that it was dno to keen commercial instinots. He would do most anything by way of drawing trade, said his world, never dreaming that there was more in his action than appeared upon the surface. "Hush! I cannot listen to—to such things now," Rob said. "You must know I am asking no service for myself. I would rather die than do that, even from you." Miss Winfold gasped once, then sat suddenly down, limp and livid, so wild was lier rage. The stir of Nina's exploit had set those very far back to standing on the benches instead of the floor. Nina was by no means unconscious of the iqterest she had evoked, though her excited feelings wero really beyond control. She was by nature ill balanced, by temperament hysterical. Besides her best girl friend was Sophy Ann Brazzle ton, who had got religion at the same time Nina did, yet had been shouting ever since. "Umph! Yes; Marse Robert, he'd take keer de whole worl an let um cheat him outen he e;reteefs," Aunt Phemy said. "B'Georget Then maybe I better take you," Mr. Topmarksaid, laughing. But it was Lawyer Howell instead who bore him company that night when be went driving away to the Winfold party. Rob came late and in her worn white frock instead of the half new blue one, yet she was easily the belle, with cheeks delicately pink as a wild rose freshly open and eyes dilated to a black brilliance, like the shining of midnight stars. There was a new note in her voice, too, a eort of tense, vibrant softness that thrilled the listening ear. «• . *■ "Yes, I do expect so. She's so bold, that Rob. I never liked her." "They're after me. I'm a horse thief, like they said. More, I helped steal your Lightlady. I'm willin ter die fer it ef only I kin seo Betty ono more time." "—why, I'm-givin yon straight goods „ - when 1 tell yon I've most fC It like I wanted ter go tor heaven mypc'f." C . . . "That wiw wonderful," Jack said D wearily, with a touch of soorn nnder' *** math. Ah Teddy made to speak again : the other ailenced hiiu with au ioipera. v • ttve look. The opening hymn hail been 'song. Brother Green bad prayed with D *"s fervor beyond common. New Brother Walton stood facing the ocngregatiou, his eye* shining with ineff:.ble tire. B He held neither Bible urr hymn book. Without prefaoe he began to repeat the Twenty-third Psalm, and Jack hoard nothing more with any sense of com prehension. It all oiidm back to him— the old happy days, Tiob in her little chair at bis feet repealing after him tlx \nspired words. He *sbot a glance at lie: "She is, as you may say, flighty, but I reckon she'll get a husband, no matter what is said about her," Mrs. Brazzleton returned, with a significant glance in the direction of Mrs. Winfold. The stranger got up, saying so hoarsely the sound made Rob shudder, "I will go in jest er little while." "Then whor" Jack asked, dropping bis band over hers. "Rob, darling." he went on, "I am not sordid enough to make conditions over helping whoever you say I must, but won't you promise to see and hear me some day soon? There is so much we must clear up. Until tonight, dear, I was wild, mad enough almost to think you bad brought yourself to tolerate that brute, Topmark. Your dear eyes told me better. They are rank traitors to your scheme. When may I come, dearest? Do, please, say tomorrow!" Monday, after the big meeting closed, Mr. Topuiark had a particularly bad half hour. It began with him in Mrs. Annis' big room, snug at Magnolia's side, his arm about her waiBt and her lap full of span new gauds and gewgaws which had just come out of his pocket In return he claimed a kiss and got a stinging slap on the cheek. Magnolia got up and moved a little away, saying as she turned upon hhn a slow, bovine regard: "Hush I" Rob said imperatively. "Tell us nothing about yourself, except where you want to go and what wo can do to help you." Just then Nina called from the door: "Hush talkin, all of you. Yonder comes Rob McGregor.'' Rob opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak Tiga sprang up and gave a tremendous howl. The strange woman made a wild, backward spring, gathering her limp skirt as though to run, then sank down, breathing hard. Aunt Pbcmy had been looking toward the path. Rob alone had soen beneath tne flapping gurment boots and trousers miserably ragged and the dull gleam of an iron ring about one ankle. "You didn't bear mayby. Oh, you oouldn'tl I said I helped ter steal," he began monotonously. "The swamp!" Noch echoed. "It is er good place an convenient Nobody never thinks nothin out er the oommon ef they do see buzzards a-flyin round over it." The news was unwelcome. At least two-thirds of the quilters indeed felt it a distinct hardship, for with Rob visibly present they would be compelled to discuss her aside. Everybody looked at her as she came within the door! Some few faces were full of kindly pity. Without exception they were those of mothers without daughters, either childless or having only sons. One among them, Mrs. Carter, who ranked socially with Mrs. Talbot, got up and kissed Rob on either cheek, saying, with a little, wistful smile: Rob's hand went over his mouth. "That has nothing to do with it, nothing at all," she said. "I asked yon what you wanted. Tell mo at once." Nina meant no longer to be outdono by Sophy Ann's precocious saintliness. Then, too, she was stirred by the sermon, still mort» by the sight- of Teddy among the redeemed. Alice, she knew, would be mad about it, so would her mother, but neetber of them wouin dare take her lo task while the revival lasted. They would fear what she might tell to tba church folk, especially Mrs. Talbot. And afterward—that was a Jong way off—no matter what came then, Nina felt that to be the her oine of a night like this paid for very many snubs and much reviling in the bosom of her family. Naturally the other young women, save Miss Winfold, made common cause against ber. When it came to dancing, more than one sat down suddenly and unaccountably when Ilob was opposite ber. But in the cud these malcontents hurt only themselves. They were left wallflowers while llobwent victoriously from strength to Pirenpth, from conquest to conquest, for she danced as one inspired. Townsman that be was, prepared to laugh at rural gambols, Lawyer Howell caught his breath at sight of her in a sclo and as so- n as might be asked her for the next waltz. In a little while they began to ride in Indian file along an overgrown path. It came out upon the brink of the spring before Aunt Pheiny's cabin. There waa a little clear space set with grass about the well head, and there they saw what spurred them to swifter action. Though the moonshine flooded it, a leaping fire glowed at the water's edge. It was newly kindled and fed with dry thorns. Before it, with a thorn in the breast, hung a waxen image slowly wasting in the heat It had been so placed that the moon shadow of it fell in the grave posture, f to the sunrise, head to the sunset. Phemy stood watching breathless/ the melting away. Now and again she muttered strange, guttural words and cast fresh thorns upon the fira "Gimme er day's start. 1 kin manage the rest," the man answered, a slow, painful red burning up through the pallor of bis faoe. "Once lemme have 80 miles 'tween me nn them thar outside they won't never tetch ma Oh, ef only you will—Godl Miss, you may kill me, cut me in little pieces. You can't never know what it'll mean ter me." "Frum all I bear um say, I got ter pay high for all you gimme. I don't wanter ter go an pay twiste." Rob shivered in spite of the warm, dry summer air. Sbe had let her hand lie passive in bis grasp Now she drew it away and said very low: '* Jk "Goinside and liedownl Quick! Let me help yoal" she said imperatively, looking full in the strange woman's eyes. They dropped before hers, but the tall figure straightened slowly and lurched within as a bail came over the matted growth in front: ■i a asroM the diut lit breadth at the house tben dropped bin he*d npoo the buck of the bench in front of him, unablo longer to endure other nuzo. "Now. I do wonder who conld er told yon sech as that I Why, I'm the liberalcfit man alive; hadn't er been fer that I might be well off, eben rich," Mr. Topiuark protested. "You must never say such things any more, Jack. We—we—belong to our fathers and mothers." "Come and sit here by me, honey. I want somebody who is not too industrious for a neighbor." Then in a voice wholly changed she unfolded his duty. He must (jive on to the bridge, get liis mysterious passenger and carry him due west as far and fast as Timothy and Clover could safely go before daylight. When it was ended, she said imperatively: "My, yon're bit early, bat then I » , sorter reckon yoa beeii under somethin like conviction ever sinoe yistiddy," Teddy mid in a torturing whisper. Jack did not raise bin bead, but closod bis Band over that of his tormentor in a grip so fierce and fall of meaning as to ' sileuoe even Toady, the irrepressible, tboogb be was aching to add, "Be John Browned ef ever I thought of ole Topknot aaer holy missionary, bat ef Jack i Talbot gits any religion this whet I jest know it ongbtar be set ter the credit of •besto'." Brother Walton took his listeners by Storm. Inside live minutes the whole bouse hqpg upon bis lips. Loug before 4 be made an end there were bowed bends, | ' - shaken farms, all about. He spoke as randy man spake, not of law, but of love, of a God wbo so loved the world be gave his only Son to suffer in its stead and save it from its transgressions. The minister's voine, at first low and clear and faintly tremulous, swelled to tbo call of a trumpet, the thrill of an organ peal. His face was transfigured. The soul shone through, calling unto other souls through the veil of tbo flesh. Magnolia still stared dally. It was her aunt who broke into a torrent of angry accusation, whose burden was Mr. Topmark's double dealing. "Yon wants that MoGrcgor gal much as yoa wants the land," she said. "I believe you're a-playin ter git her, with me an my gal np yonr sleeve, an tellin us ter be so close mouthed when you strow things round so eben the McGregor niggers kuow"— "Hello, the house! Aunt Phemy, tie upyourdawg. We're comin fer water," a man's voice called cheerily. Noxt breath three stout fellows had ridden in sight, dismounted and flung themselves down beside the slipping runnel. At sight of Rob in the doorway the foremost of them rose, touched his hat and said awkwardly: Rob pondered a minute, feeling his eyes devour her faoe. Then she said, low, but firmly: "Thanky, ma'am, Aunty Carter, but I can't I am here just to say that I could not possibly come," Rob said brightly, yet clinging to the friendly hand. She was too finely strung not to feel the bridling and drawing away that had marked her entranoe. It was not the first time, either. So far, secure in the strength of innocence, she had whistled down the wind such hostile demonstration, only wondering dully if its occasion was Mr. Topmark's inthrallment and the merry athletic madness which possessed him. She was used to knowing people talked about her, but unused to quite the faces that greeted her today."You shall have that. I pledge my word for it. Now, listen. You are to stay hore until almost midnight Aunt Pbemy will stain your face and hands till you would pass for one of her color. Then at 18 o'clock tonight you must be at the bridge on the turnpike, two miles from here. Some one will meet you there. Never mind who. You can trust him. Ho will answer 'Tom' when you say 'Jerry.' He will take you where you choose, as far as he can before morning. Meantime get a file and take that ring off your anklo and borrow Aunt Phemy's wallet to carry tho food she will give vou"— As Teddy saw her and gripped her hands he shouted louder than ever. A contagious thrill ran through the excited throng. Old Brother Baxter, who had raised the tones for half a century, struck up in his deepest bass: "You may have it," Hob said, with her wickedest smile—"that is, if you will convert Mrs. Winfold from the error of her way. You see, she does not allow round dances here. In fact, I half believe she thinks any sort of dancing a sin unless yon can manage to do it very badly." "Put me down here. No, there is oothing to be afraid of. I will not rob my protege of another minute when each one may be so precious." "Ob, howdy do. Miss Rob? My, but we're thirsty! Been racin an chosin all day after one er them triflin convicts that got erway. Yon see, they're  out, an they had 'em at work, with ball an chain, on the big new railroad fill, an this poor fool uinst run off, though he had jest one more yoar ter seive; took chances er gittin shot an doin double time fer jest that littla " "It's the full er the moon ternighfc She's workin the dead man conjure sho's er gun," Teddy said, his teeth chattering. He would have run away at onoe, for all his masking, but Noch's hand fell over his in a grip he dared not misunderstand. "Havel Have! Save, Lord! Send converting power down! Without a word Jack drew rein. Then when she had left his side he sent the horses forward at a slapping trot without even one backward look at the slim shape alone in the moonshine. 8a-v-e, my dear LordI" "What nipgers?" Mr. Topmark demanded breathlessly. "You mean she thinks your dancing wicked. I don't at all blame her. I see, Miss McGregor, you are a very dangerous person, so dangerous I scarcely dare ask for a quadrille," Mr. Howell said, with a bow. Rob gave a faint shrug and said tranquilly: Instantly the simple monochord swelled from every throat. Three more penitents sprang up, shouting aloud 111 the joy of new hope. Friends and kinfolk crowded in to embrace them and wring the hands of the Christians about. Other penitents half ran, half fell, np the choked aisle. The air seemed to pulse with electric feeling. Brother Walton prayed without ceasing, now at this bowed head, now at that. Brother Green did not stir from his chosen penitent, a big, rough fellow, who had come to the altar as though dragged by invisible hands. Mrs. Anuis gave a taunting langh and sniffed rather than said, "Of oo'se you'll lie outen tellin it an sayole Phemy found out through conjure work"— "It's all the better. We've caught her in the act," be said in Teddy's ear. A horse neighed impatiently. Aunt Phemy looked up, saw the grotesque mummers, aud with one sweep of her foot scattered the fire, then darted toward her house. But before she badmade three steps Noch had gripped her shoulders, her throat, and was bearing her earthward in spite of her struggles, saying over his shoulder to Teddy: "Go in. Find her bags an bottles. We'll serve her as she does the rest er the world." CHAPTER XVI. "Conjure work I Lord in heaven!" Topmark ejaculated, springing stiffly npright. "I'll—I'll learn thatolewitoh not ter come a-meddlin with my concerns. " Rob was utterly without fear. She thought nothing, of going anywhere about the plantation at any hour of day or night. She walked slowly along the mill road, her head bare, ber eyes upraised, now to the twinkling stars, now to the lace of branchy boughs thrust between her and the sky. Yet it was sense of this hostile atmosphere which had brought her thus among them. "I will beard tho Winfolds in the face of all their world," she had said, nodding to her image in the glass. "I'm not a coward, whatever other sins may lie at my door. I'll go and excuse myself, then back to the party. Jack—yes, he will be there. So will Mr. lopmurk. I pine to give him one sharp Kuub right before Mrs. Winfold's face." "Don't say he came this way," Rob said lightly, though she shivered a little. "I hope, though, yon won't catch him—that is, unlets he is a horso thief. I have suffered too much from thom to bavo the least bit of compassion left." "Des do listen at her I She talks like I 'longed her aamo as eberl" Aunt Phemy said, with a little, odd laugh. Rob put out her hand and touched the black woman's lightly as she said: "As you like about that I am soused to being thought desperately wicked I suppose I am case hardened. Anyway even the thought of not being your partner does not plunge me in the depths." "Hear um say you won't have no oorncerns ef you go an mek her ra-ale "No, Aunt Phemy. I know you are free, but free only to do good." "Ef he don't ask yon after that, I'll shoot him. I've a great mind ter do it anyway. None er these yere young chaps shan't eass you with meeroun," Mr. Topraark said, grinning. Rob gave him a long look, then turned to her next partner and whirled away without a word. at "a "Yes, it's too bad about your stock," the man said. He was Deputy Sheriff Reed and mjffhtv ambitious to be a sher■ "It is almost too delicious to sleep tonight," she said. "I have a great mind to moon about here in the dew for an hour. But maybe I had better go houia Though pappy is safe in Lion's guard, he may be wakeful and fret for me." When sho had gone away, the man seemed to rouse from a daze. He talked long and earnestly with tho old black woman and evidently of matters very near her heart. When at last ho bad crept into hor loft, and she heard the loose boards creak as bis length rested upon them, she said, nodding to the embers which smoldered the year round upon her wide hearth: Ho was Matt Taylor, the blacksmith, famed the countryside through for strength, skill and wickedness. He had not moved from the spot where he fell rather than knelt opon first reaching the altar. Strong, slow sobs shook him from head to foot. His hand wan clinched bard npon thutof the minister. Now and again he spoke a thick word of hopeless supplication. * l . The old woman writhed and moaned. She could make no other outcry. Tiiey had borne her to her threshold. She could hear them rummaging within. Then the grip on her throat was relaxed a trifle as a thick honey paste, full of acrid, pungent flavors for all its sweet, was thrust within her mouth. There was no passion, no ranting. Save that his cheek flamed, his eyes grew twin bine fires, nothing in the outer man spoke the force within. His bearers were spell wrought. Even Jack ■at upright, drawn ont of his whelming misery, though still too much domi Bated by it for oonscious comfort Daily Now, while Mrs. Brazzleton and oth- So thinking, she went quietly forward, stepping so l ight the grass hardly bent for her tread. The house was dark and silent when she came to it Lion's big bulk made a shaggy blur of white upou the floor of the long hall. Doors at either end stood wide to the vagrant air, and from the big square front room to the right came the sound of gentle breathing, even and regular as that of a child. Rob listened to it a minute, then stole back into the silver moon raya She was tensely alive, every fiber strong to its utmost pitch, and sleep out of the question. She strayed on to the garden and laid her Cheek against the full dew wet roses. She plucked a clove pink, too, and set it at her throat. Jack loved the pinks most of all her flowers. Afterward she  smelled them without recalling that eerie night. At near 11 o'clock she set the company agog by saying carelessly to Jack Talbot in the face of everybody: "Oh, Jack, make haste and get through your dance) You have got to take me home before 13 o'clock." ers of her kidney stared, Rob stood ohatting guyly with Miss Winfold and hor mother. In a little wbilo she turned to go, saying over her shoulder: "Look for mo back at early candlelight. That's the time, isn't it, Mrs. Winfold? And, oh, ladies all, young and old, I almost ) irgot to tell you the great news. Lawjer Hov.ell from Oldbridge is at the store—going to stay a week and shoot doves—and Teddy ran 50 yards up the road to tell me ho would surely he up here tonight. So you will bavH another beau almost equal to Mr. Topniark." "Lord," oumo dry and gasping, "I ain't—wuth savin 1 You know that— you—know—overy-thing—an—I had er good—mother! Sbc was good—mighty good ! I—ain't never been—no credit ter hor—but she said—it was her last word —you loved me—hctter'n she did. I tried ter fergit—but—it staid with me —it fetched me—here! Lord, save me— ef you choose—ef you do lovo me—like she said! Ef—you don't—I'm lost— world without—end. Save mel Save me! Jesus Christ, save me!" "T'ings happen metty quar in dis worl an kentry. Dar Ben Topmark. He rich an strong as he mean, I po' an ole. Dis yero feller 'feard er ho own shadder whilo ho stay roun yoro, bilk I lay us puts er spoke in dat big gent'emun's wheel, ono whut ho ain't nebber knowed wus growin in de woods, much less cut oat or am." "Lemme do that, Miss Rob,"Mr. Topnjark said eagerly. Jack shouldered him aside and took Rob's hand. He "Dunno what it is; some er devil stuff. It—it'll do, I reckon," Teddy said thickly. His teeth were chattering. Still he was wishing himself well out of it all, even that he had never embarked in such enterprise, though refusal might have cost him Mr. Topmark's favor. ,C he noted that Teddy was writhing and ***•?- moaning: "O Oodl O God! OGodl Mercy! Do have mercy on er lost an : •" *' dyin sinner I Lord, dear Lord, I know I am er sinner, bat it ain't all my faolt. Nobody couldn't help it ef they clerked in Topmark's sto\ " Miss Winfold sat, with bowed head, sobbing audibly. Nina, at her elbow, was upright and open eyed in the eonseiousnem of salvation already secure. Mrs. Talbot had lost sense of everything, even her stricken favorite. Oerintha Payne's face waa soraphio; Rob, »t her aide, a breathing statue, without life pave in the eyea. They showed darker than ever and fall of smoldering light. Even the rain later felt them barn upon his face as he stood pleading so earnestly, ao tenderly, that those for whom Christ suffered and died should not make his suffering of none effect. Hi* plea waa not tedious. Less than half an boar from his uprising he had sunk to hit knees, saying, half inaudibiy, "Brethren, sisters, let ns pray." As with one impulse everybody knelt him in application utterly with- "Look fer snake p'ison. She's got it, I know. I've beared tell she kills folks sometimes with briers dipped in it," Noch said aloud. In the brutal joy of killing he had grown reckless as Teddy was affrighted. At his words the old woman shrank and shivered, moaning more than ever, but still he held her fast. I'll kill you furst," MmjnulUi cried. mad Magnolia drawled. "She is er wit* h nbotL »Dr kuowed mo an my forrhnn n.ini«C iv- I donio niyso'f." "And of course you'll captivato him, as you do all the rest," Miss Winfold said, smiling aiuiably. Rob swept her a laughing courtesy. CHAPTER XV. Mr. Topmark's letter to Mr. Howell had been a triumph of diplomacy. There bad been no mention of business—oh, not the loastl Ho had said in rambling fashion that a widower was mighty lonesome, and it was near time for dove shooting to begin, and maybe "tbar might be some 'lection matters" that ooald be talked over to advantage when a man had neither a wife nor a crop on bis mind to bother him. Amen and amen arose on every hand, ttrnngh the good people had not heurd his halting words. None but the all beuring ear ind'*d might have disentangled them from the manned confusion of sound about. The blacksmith's wife sat amazed in fear and tremb!i:ig hope. He was not actively unkind to her when he was sober. That was about one day in seven. The other six sho spent in making fair weather for his uncertain temper, and often got blows as a reward of ber endeavors. She had been a church member when sho married bim. bat since he had refused steadfastly to give her money for church dues ■be had kept away from servioes until knowed the Piekins favor, that's all," Mrs. Annis sajd sharply. v ■"*" "I shall do my poor best," she said. "And I have got half a new frock to wear—a white waist to go with my blue skirt—the blue that mado me look always liko a Pawnee Indian. Not that I ever saw a Pawnee, but I fancy they are hideous enough for anything. " "Oh. don't send her away. Aunt Phemyl" iff full fledged after the next eleotion. It delighted him no little to find Miss Rob McGregor, whom ho know very slightly indeed, thus social and friendly. Mr. Topmark stood still, upright, his foe'' beaded wijh clammy sweat, as in :■ lightning flush he understood. It all came back—tho Jilaek woman's intorruption upon than tint night, his wife's strange and sudden end, the black boy's ( hatter of the "daid man conjure." No doubt the witnb woman knew his plan and if sho Jived would balk it. That was a saving if meantime he must pacify Mrs Ann is, who was half shouting: On she wandered to her mother's grave, a green mound of dewy myrtle, into the orchards beyond, almost out into the road again, then stopped short Her keen ear had caught a most uncommon sound for the time and place. It was low, but vibrant, the tramp of many hoofs sharply in motion. "I wonder—let me see what that means," Rob said half aloud, making swiftly toward the house. As she entered it Lion sat upright, with his nose in air, as though on the point «f bowling. Rob softly silenced him and caught her rifle from the rack. It was her sole pergonal ex- " You're p'ison slow, flndin that thar p'ison 1" he called after a minute. "Hurry up er I'll"— "This feller was sent up fer horse stealin, I'm sorry ter say, " he went on: "fust offense, though. Thar was some thought he wasn't really guilty, but others said he wan one er the gang, an so he had ter go"— Something cut his speech short, a bullet that hissed and sang sharply through the air a yard above his head. And some one, a slight girl, came on the run, her eyes burning, her face as white as her frock. "Ah if it mattered what you put on!" Miss Winfold murmured. Her mother tried to mask a sniff as a playful smile and succeeded very ill, and Rob, wicked Rob, turned and ran away, singing clear and gay, as though iho bad not a care in life: To himself Mr. Topmark added that Howell was rat sharp, but not likely to j "Lcmmc do that, Miss Itob." try patting np any game on hi™- He could scarcely trust himself to speak, so himself knew too much. If he told all great was his joy, but somehow he manhe knew, it would be mighty awkward agpd to fla . ..Get Khawl. Wo will for Howell and bigger men besides. gQ at ouce DD Then too. the storekeeper was fairly j ..shawJ", 1 never thonght of ODO thi„ sure of his ground. He had taken opm- AryD bcautifnl night ril meet you at tenoi Jadro Gr&balJL the first lawyer BatA RDw wnnmi h™-™ » "I see. A case of poor Tray—whipped because of bad company," Rob returned, smiling pleasantly at tbe deputy, who meandered on: "Out of this! Begone or I shoot yon like the wild beasts you are!" she cried, stopping short and flinging her gun to the shoulder. She was so white, so frail. Co*"-*""1 Page Taw. "Bon Topmark, we've done come t«r the end er ieelin. You got ter do one "Father an mitbor an a' may gae mad. But whistle, an I'll ooma to ye, my lad.1* thing er another—either pay us, an pay na well, ter lay low an keep dark er else "Ef we ketch him, Miga Rob, roayby