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lewis m. ?RisT, Proprietor, j A" ^Independent ^ainilg lleucspaper: (Joi| flic jpromotion of the flolitical, Social, Agricultural and (Commercial Jnfercsts of the ^outh. J TERMS?$2.00 A YEAR IN ADVANCE VOL.39. * YORKVILLE, 8. C., WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1893. ' " """ ? - I -1 1.. if n ,..no Walinn I on Im'a cimiml Ilin nln/l rra COI1TO flmtl Jin ! KlltlTlOr IlIUlSI'll nt till) ill tllfi Jlct of BY HOW A [Copyrighted, 189.'!, by I>. Appleton A with CHAPTER L Midway between Lampasas and San Saba the Colorado river runs?a wild, romantic, winding stream. At times its placid current flows evenly over dimpling shoals and gleaming pebbles. Again the water deepens, and by flower bordered banks its current eddies sullen, slow and grand. But there is one place where the river plunges madly downward to roar at the base of precipitous rocks and writhe over bowlders in its shallow bed. Overhead dark hemlocks curtain this rage or waters irom inegaze of day. The sunlight enters only by stealth and then in tremulous pencils. At such moments, against the somber green of the swaying pines, the redbird flashes or the indigo bird is seen?a living sapphire in the sudden light And the rippling melody of rival mocking birds enters the solemn aisles as though the gate of heaven were left ajar. Within these aisles the foot sinks luxuriously amid cushions of hemlock boughs and pine needles. The tall, time scarred trunks lift themselves dimly like pillars of some leafy gothic dome. The vague ranks of forest exhale their cool, damp spicery. All nature is hushed and wan Only the river's moan comes faintly, and everywhere roundabout and pervading all things are the twilight and seclusion beloved by the dryad. Whether Miss Cynthia Dallas on a certain mild February afternoon was at all impressed by any of these sylvan suggestions 1 cannot say. Her untutored mind was as yet guiltless of mythology, and no vision of 6traying god or goddess, no whimsical train of nymph and faun, had hitherto invaded her slumbering fancy Yet swinging lightly in a netted hammock within an innermost recess of this Bpicy vault, just where a slanting beam of sunlight fell full upon her gracefu I figure, she might well have been mistaken for some wood nymph surprised amitl her favorite haunts, so quaint a figure was she, and yet so essentially in keeping with the woodland stillness, of which she seemed a part. She reclined at ease and lazily as the hammock swung noted the soft play of sunlight through the boughs above and the trembling arabesques of spray and shadow. Her hands holding c. small leathern whip with deer foot handle were clasped behind her head, at once with graceful and careless abandon. A blond beauty somewhat sun tanned and freckle strewn, her attire a plain bluewoolen gown that clung almost tenderly to the charming curves of her figure, but swinging thus, and with a little silver spur upon tne snoe 01 uit ien toot uukliug as she swung, a fascinating picture certainly for some stumbling Strephon. Miss Cynthia was at present bareheaded. I regret that this negligence had become a habit. There was, 1 believe, a felt something lying on the ground among the pine needles, which, from the fact that it was decorated with a ribbon or two and a gaudy woodpecker's wing at an extravagaut angle, may have been once intended for a becoming bonnet. But at the unexpected moment of the young lady's introduction a pet antelope fawn was attempting to browse upon it r and - from present indications meeting with gratifying succfess. The antelope was assisting his prandial experiments by a vicious attack upon the hat with his sharp fore feet. A grave hound, seated upon his haunches at a respectful distance, regarded the antelope's sincere efforts with a solemn approval that was certainly flattering. Cynthia, her abstracted eyes still lost in contemplation of the swaying canopy of green above her head or watching through a sudden vista the calm poise of a gray hawk circling aloft in the limitless ether, was rapt and all unconscious. Suddenly she raised her head with a Btart. A sharp, articulate cry broke the stillness The antelope dashed away in sudden panic to a remote corner of the bower, where he stood eying her askance, a few feathers from the gaudy wing 6till clinging to his mouth. The great hound raised himself with a preliminary stretch and monstrous yawn, as if expecting a departure. The girl caught up the luckless hat with a gesture of annoyance and a snap of her whip in the direction of the terrified fawn?a movement at which the hound, with drooping ears and tail, was stricken into an attitude of eloquent reproacli. "Not you, old boy," she said kindly patting his broad head, "but his impudence yonder! He knows it. the cute rascal, and ne'll hear from me later! P'raps he thinks I'm sittin up nights makin lovely hats jes' to give him a chance to try his new teeth. Naturally not, I reckon. But, Aulus," she continued interrogatively, addressing the grave hound, "I'm sure I heard a noise, old boy. didn't you? What was thet? Didn't you get to hear it?" The hound, raising his ears with the droll interest of dogs of that family, walked gravely to the edge of a cliff on Which the bower abutted and looked solemnly down. Suddenly his tail began to wag with lively interest. The girl sprang from the hammock with a lithe activity that left it swinging furiously behind her. Creeping forward cautiously beside hi"i, she gazed below. Far abrupt and sheer, down the precipitous descent she beheld a man floundering in the rapids. A dog, dripping wet and timorously \ "tched, was following him. It was the iatter which had awakened the interest < f the grave Aulus. Both were i evident distress and endeavoring to effect a crossing by leaping from bowlder to bowlder amid the whirling waters. But the rocks were slipi>ery and moss grown, the current dizzy and swift. All at once the man's feet slipped on a treacherous stone, and he tottered heavily backward. He sat down rather than fell upon his wretched dog. which was following him closely with frantic leaps. The animal uttered an agonizing yelp, and with a great splash both dog and man were precipitated into the angry waters. The girl threw her head back and laughed long and musically in her sylvan bower. At the unaccustomed sound a mocking bird that had strayed into her retreat and perched upon a high limb apparently for rest and meditation turned his pretty head to one side and listened attentively, as if about to favor her with an imitation. The antelope trotted coyly up to her. Aulus, with rapidly wagging tail and whimpering muzzle, testified the humor of the catas trophe from a canine standpoint. In this sympathetic merriment Cynthia half reelihed between her pets, one arm about the hound's neck, the other thrown caressingly around the already forgiven fawn. The mocking bird looked down approvingly and actually improvised a few bars of bubbling melody by way of comment. Fully three minutes elapsed in this harmonious interchange of opinion. Then the girl crept forward again and peered below. The man had extri cated himself from the water and was seated, chilly and miserable, upon a large rock in the middle of the stream. Cynthia now noticed that; he carrion a gun, the barrels of which had been filled with water during his.recent im mersion. He was occupied in emptying tli? fowling piece, squeezing the waiter from his (gripping clothing unci regard ing with general discomfiture his pitiable plight. The dog at his side, with cowering limbs and shivering hide, wsis hardly less miserable and wretched and expressed in pathetic dumb show his conviction that matters could hardly l.e worse?at least from u dog's limited point of new. Two large and liffivv feathered obiects which the man had , . _ her RD SEELY. "" ., d'r( i E C'o. Published by special arrangements .. them.] pre just cast down from the rock completed ) jjjn the group. ; he "What do you thiuk, old boy?" sr.: I hal [ the girl affectionately, taking the hound i the by both his large ears and gazing critic- ! g]a ; ally into his intelligent eyes. "Had I wh j better help that feller?or not?" she Aulus wagged his tail and looked in- j ]yh terested. All at once he raised his head ent and bayed loud and deep, with a sharp j boa recoil, as if he stood in awe of his own 1 j v i vocal efforts. Apparently this was em j 0pj: phatic advice that assistance was ncers ! p sary. ] bav At least Cynthia acted upon it prompt- , | ^ ly. She leaned far over the cliff, hold- j g ing on by the low branches of a scarred : 6e^ and time beaten hemlock. A sunburst ! ^ from the nodding boughs above fell full Rjie upon her red gold head and shoulders i _ ' I ^ 'Not you, old boy," she said kindly. \ afte Her voice echoed musically down the ; T1 rocks. Above the noise of the rushing van; waters, above the sighing of the tossing rass pines, it reached the ear of the hapless I r? I wayfarer like a silver bell. The man : started and swept the sides of the ravine j with a surprised and earnest glance. | Suddenly his gaze became fixed. He had j espied Cynthia. To the unfortunate sportsman in the gloomy chasm the ! bright face peering so curiously down I upon him from its coign of vantage j was like an inspiration in the midst of his distress. His fancy transfigured her ; with all the graces of hope. Halloo!" The reply came clear up to Cynthia. She put her hand to her mouth to assist her voice and shouted down a word of homely advice: "Throw them turkeys into the river! Don't you see thet's what's keepin you back? Make for the shore you've jes left and go down the bank a little! I'll ; be down and help you over with a boat j d'rectly." Then the bright, animated vignette was j gone from b's fascinated eyes. Nothing ; was left but the precipitous wall of the I ravine, with its fringing mantle of hem j lock and pine. The man on the rock remained for a ! few moments gazing upward. He smiled j with a frank good humor that threw a j genial light upon strong features, bronzed j on forehead and cheek by exposure and i partially hidden beneath a light curling I beard, more carefully trimmed than i usual on the frontier. Although be- I grimed and generally disordered from his recent contact with the river's bed there was much about his dress to indicate the gentleman. He wore knee boots, | well made and of modern fashion. His jaunty hunting jacket had a stylish cut and finish, the metal buttons being embossed with trophies of the chase. The hat upon his head was new and of an excellent quality of felt. What was more unusual, it was becoming and seemed in keeping with the athletic build, the manly face and bearing of the figure it surmounted. The gun he carried was breechloading and double barreled. A cameo ring graced the hand ; that held it. Altogether he looked the i picture of a comfortable ranchman over- ! taken by embarrassing circumstances, in J need of nothing so much as a warm fire- I side and a dash here and there of soap mar and water. a s j Such was probably his own opinion, J01 I for after a few moments' hesitation he ! c | acted with promptness and dispatch. He *?P?. I cast the two turkeys into the stream, ' hardly stopping to watch them as they j Perj were borne away on the rapid current . ^ . to float to some vantage point below , .c him. Then he looked hurriedly around a second, shivered a little, pushed his j ^ wretched dog off the rock into the water j ., ( and quite indifferent to the pitiful yelp ^ with which the favor was received ah- j t ruptly followed the animal. Alternately | wading and leaping from rock to rock | both gained the shore, the dog immedi- ??r" ately shaking himself and dispensing a P ' gratuitous shower that effectually j jOV drenched his master where the river had ; . 1 _ forborne. j !^ a The man recoiled, opened his mouth 1 as if in angry protest, abandoned the idea with grimness and then looked ' wrathfully around for a stone as more j direct and persuasive in canine logic, j gec( Finding, as usual in such emergencies, J * that missiles were not available, and that ^ Jie' he was confronted by bowlders and tree frpc trunks only, he abandoned a temporary impulse to impersonate Ajax and ; burst into a hearty laugh. The dog. a j handsome shepherd, which had mean- I while awaited dissolution with pathetic ?'*" resignation, took courage at once and ? thankfully wagged a dripping tail that 1 (V distributed a watery benediction "Upon 1 V the surrounding rocks. Then he was apparentlv rendered delirious by the pros- 4 pect of farther advance dry shod and became a frolicsome nuisance, demotistra- 'jj tive, unduly familiar and generally <111- v bearable. The man interposed a few % kicks of his heavy boot by way of com- .j inentary upon this obtrusive pleasantry. j % which was appreciated and had a salu- I tary effect. y But here both were surprised in their diversions by a loud call down the river . ?that indescribable vocal effort which 1 indicates a search. The man recalled ' himself as if with regret for his forgetfulnes, and hurried away over the rocks along the shore, closely followed by his 1 p 1 gamboling dog. jnc CHAPTER II. J Cynthia awaited the stranger. She g]u was seated in a flat bottomed boat at a Up wide bend of the river, where the water | ore oluivo nnst. her in ! ,11,, 111(11. uw.v . , , W1V_ sullen eddies. She had but lately rowed Pl,i across, and the oars, thrown carelessly SWi down, were beaded and dripping. With ly maiden recklessness she had beached the little craft high and dry upon the rocks. the Still in no sense discomposed by the qui shock of landing and entirely serene as ; hi,] to possible damage to tho boat from the rj recent collision, sho sat quietly in the j ani I stern, her hands crossed in her lap. but i . . ?i ?? .??i ner aiert n w giauvuiS mnvui m> <??. Uill : down the bank in expectation. Evidently lift j the approaching meeting had constrained bot iior to irppnter formality in dross than bin "V4 w ? . usual, for she had ilonned the unfortunate wil hat. It now proved to be simply a soft , cei felt, the brim of which had been caught it," up at one side and garnished with a rib- am bon or two and the wing already men- yoi tioned?a poor substitute in feminine eyes, doubtless, for the exquisite follies of Cy: civilization, but worn amid her present ! tle< surroundings with a picturesqueness and bes dash that were not without their charm by Beyond her the dark river, flowing with of i its slow but irresistible current, swept calmly on its way. The faiut green of 0nt trees upon the farther bank, the sharp to. outlines of rock and bowlder, framed her wh graceful figure against a rugged back be; ground. Tho noise of the waters above s came to her ear but faintly. High ov *r tui her head a red shafted flicker tapping bet monotonously upon a withered limb ar J cented the lonely stillness of the ravine. for V'hilo at intervals a sharp yelp of despair ' ery fted across the river where the ahan it'll Aulus, distinctly discernible in the 1 light, mounted guard at the boat ding and bewailed her absence, 'he girl sighed regretfully. She waved hand from the boat in reassurance to faithful animal. Keep quiet, old man! I'm comin back ;ctlyl" she shouted, tut her reflections were less amiable. I reckon thet chap allows me to bitty accommodatin waiting to ferry 1 over till nigh onto sundown. P'raps thinks it's my reg'lar business rowin f drowned men and wet dogs across Colorado. P'raps," 6he continued ncing down in the bottom of the boat ere the dripping bodies of the turkeys had picked up on the way over were lg?"p'raps ho reckons it's pleasant ertainrnent haulin his game into the ,t and gettin soaked into the bargain, k-oniler now naturally if thct's his nion." tut here a mournful succession of .1 1 r A ? 3 auu iiuwis xi urn mu u^nocu ^uinterrupted her meditations, be sprang to her feet, impatiently ;ing an oar, as if to push the boat oif . recross tlio river. A brief moment stood thus erect, her blue eyes flush, the indignant blood mantling her ek as she placed the blado of the oar m a neighboring rock and threw the 3I0 weight of her lithe body upon it. ; her efforts were futile. The unldy scow remained fixed and immov;. Then there was a sharp clatter )ng the rocks, the underbrush upo bank parted suddenly, and the dil. : stranger, followed by his effusive . stood revealed before her eyes. lie >ped abruptly, smiled, and dropping butt of his gun to the ground leaned 11 it with both hands upon the muzThe dog, evidently surprised at the len meeting, sat down at once upon haunches, and with panting jaws apred to be including in one tremen3 grin the wholo encounter and the moon's incidents. hus surprised, Cynthia's resolution ished befero that charming emba* inent which sometimes overtakes her s 0%^ She stood a moment irresolute, surJig the easy self possession of the i before her. The next, the oar,with ower of spray, dropped awkwardly 11 her nervous grasp into the stream, kless of the effect of this accident 11 her future rowing, she was imme:ely overcome with solicitude for her ional appearance, attempted to ad; a straggling lock of hair, and finally :hing up her fallen hat and setting it . kly 011 her head sat down, a very itching picture of confusion, and yet without an effort to assert herself I only increased her discomfiture, he man looked amused, but straightr acted with the decision of a fronsman. He glanced at the floating Then he stepped quickly forward, :ed his gun in the boat, and lifting the r clear of the rocks by sheer strength ved it off into the current, stepping droitly as he did so. His dog. with imitative faculty of his kind, at,pted to follow suit, but the force of launching being considerable only coeded in catching one foot on the iwale, where lie hung a miserable >iul, until, falling in with a loud isli, he began at once to swim after boat with the usual whines of (lisz ditatnrii stmntjcr stood revealed before her trangely enough, it needed this pitiful ident to restore Cynthia to her until composure. With her affection fur 11b animals her assurance returned, i loaned forward and glanced boldly at the stranger, lie was standing et, using the remaining oar as a padand urging the boat swiftly in purt of the lost one, which already in i lie nop of the current was drifting rapid iwav. 'Don't you reckon you better haul t poor pup in, jes' naturally':" she inred, fixing her critical eyes upon a. die man glanced at her in amazement 1 burst into a ringing laugh. 'Certainly, if you say so," he said good uiredlv, arresting his oar. 'But to him in now means a shower bath for b nf 11? It's a neat little wav with u ill return for such favors," In* added, ;h pardonable irony in view of his rott experience. "However, I can stand ' glancing down at his dripping boots 1 trousers."but I thought you'd object, i see." 'Don't you worry about me," returned nthia frankly. "Them turkeys set1 thet!" She paused and whipped her spattered ' kirt about her pretty ankles way of comment. Then, with a toss her head, sho went on: 'I reckon thet gobbler'll weigh nigh :o ttf pounds. I had all I could swing It was nip and tuck for awhile ether he'd pull me in or I him. but?1 it!" >ho laughed and touched the great key with her foot as she exulted over exploit in girlish triumph. ler companion, having his attention tlio first time attracted to the reeov of his game, thanked her warmly and applauded her achievement. His I praise was received with apparent grati fication and a sudden revelation of bril- j liant teeth and becoming dimples. Meanwhile the struggling dog had overtaken the drifting boat and was i making impotent efforts to clamber in, j falling back repeatedly with agonized whining. The girl sprang forward suddenly and caught him by the collar. She attempted to lift him in bodily, but without success. With her hand still upon the leathern strap, sho turned impatiently to the stranger: "Are you going to stand there as if you was moonstruck and let your poor dog drown naturally?" she inquired. Thus besomrht. the man stormed down ! anil withou ; more ailo lifted the dog into the boat, receiving at cnce tho customary tribute. It was delivered on the | present occasion with a frankness and devotion to detail that made it note: worthy. In addition to drenching the | two in the boat, it rendered occupancy j of the seats unpleasant and boating an ; actual hardship. During tlr's animated cascade Cynthia covered her face with her hat and shook with laughter. The nan tumehis back upon his dog with manifest dis- i ; gust. As soon as it was safe to do so he ! faced about anil regarded Cynthia with grim amusement. "Ho did right smart, didn't he?" she inquired, looking up brightly at him, her eyes still dancing with her recent merriment. "For an ordinary dog," replied her i companion quietly, "a modest, unobtrn- j sive, unassuming brute, I should think he did." "I reckon so," she said quickly. Then casting a sudden glance down the river, j "Don't 3*011 reckon there'd be more sense in gettin thet oar than jes' wastin daylight talkin about your dog?" The brusqueness of this rebuke was lessened by a quiver of mirth that twitched the corners of her rosy mouth | aud flashed from her mischievous eyes. ! Tho man looked at her searchingly and with a grave surprise at her abruptness. i 1 ?] I i! Without a v ord he turned the boat again ! into the current and began to paddle with a rapidity that seemed an apology j for his recent negligence. Until the oar had been recovered and ' they were rowing back against the sullen j current tho silence that had fallen between them both had been in marked contrast to their previous merriment. This became so marked as they proceed- , ed that Cynthia began to be distressed, j The sun no longer visited the river in occasional shafts and stray glimpses. It j ; was sinking below the wooded heights. A vague chill crept over the river. Tho i ! stranger shivered and suddenly addressed her. It brought a certain relief to Cynthia. "Where do you live, young lady?" The girl experienced a delicious tremor lit this form of address. His voice was low and deep, and there was a quiet dig| uity about his manner. "Up at the ranch?back of the bluff." "Whose ranch?" "Father's." j "And his name?" "Dallas?Alcides Dallas?but they call him Al for short?that is, some do. But others call him Allsides?Buck says it's 'cause he's uncertain in his votin. They can't allers count on him for the Democratic ticket. My name's Cynthia." Her companion, having already experienced the divine despair o*' the average Republican in Texas, was not wanting in his appreciation of the woes of the elder Dallas. Howbeit, he made 110 political comment beyond a grave lifting of the eyebrows But the name haunted him. i "Cynthia." he said, repeating it slow- j ly. "Cynthia Dallas. How do you get to your ranch. Miss Cynthia?" "Not Miscynthia. but plain Cynthia," she said, "or Cyntliy. as father says. 1 But 1 hate that. You can cull me Cynthia." Her companion looked up with a smile us lie noted the privilege conveyed by her emphasis. "Thanks," he said simply. "Well. Cyn. thin, do you suppose your father has any room at his ranch for a miserable, .tired. . half drowned hunter?a 'tenderfoot' we'd better call him, for ho was fool enough to let his horse walk off and leave hint 011 the bald prairie while lie was looking up a turkey roost?" Cynthia's curiosity and sympathy were awakened at once. "Your pony walked off ami left you did lie? Well, now!" She laughed. Then as her frontier instincts asserted themselves, there was a little disdain in her manner as she inquired. "Can't you tie the cowboy's hitch?" Her companion felt the implied slur for ho colored visibly under his beard. "I must have been careless, 1 suppose, or else the knot slipped," he replied apologetically "At any rate that's the state j of the case?no horse, rider wet, tired and hungry, dog ditto. Do you suppose your father can give shelter for the night to two tramps?" "1 reckon." said the girl simply. She ! stooped to pat the dog's wet head com- | passionately. "Poor 'Ditto!"' she mnr- i mured. Then, looking up quickly with a mischievous glance, "What's the name j of the other tramp?" "lie calls himself llenry Bruce, and he hails from the 'Mesquite valley ranch," j of which you may have heard," returned her companion, allowing by a humorous twinkle that Iter sarcasm was appro- | dated. "The 'Mesquite valley ranch!"' exclaimed Cynthia, with an astonishment i of manner that she did not attempt to conceal. "Ye don't savl Well, Henry j Bruce, 1 don't reckon you'll have any call to complain of the treatment you'll get from father. I3;-.rrin tho fact that a stray steer o' yours gets into our corn bin now and then he hasn't anything to ' complain of." I All at onco her thoughts reverted to I tho ranchman's straying horse. Dumb animals possessed a peculiar interest foi Cynthia. "Won't that poor pony of yours get ai whalin naturally?" she inquired. "1 wonder where ho is now?" "1 suppose his present address is 'Texas, on the Wing,' " replied her companion, with gravity. "On general principles, yes, I think I may safely say he'll have an intelligent idea later of the capacity of a quirt. But 1 shall havt plenty of time to consider all that and possibly to got over my temper before 1 seo him again. Meanwhile," ho added, with a shrug of his broad shoulders. "I'm feeling a little chilly and very much in need of dry clothing. Excuse me, Cynthia, but if you could hurry matters a little and get ma home it would be better for all concerned." The girl responded with promptness to this appeal. "I reckon you're right," she said quickly and with a 6udden blush tha4 was very becoming. "It's mighty slack in me to be so careless sittin here botherin you with questions and you freeziu to death. Hand me thet paddle." OUa /-V1-.f o email aow 4-Unf Uiwl kjiiu pumtc?i vuk i* ouiai* vai nidi uau hitherto laid unperceived in the bottom of the boat. "Now, if you'll row for all you're worth against this current I'll have you at the landing in a jiffy. We're almost there any ho* V So saying she put the paddle behind her, and with a dexterous sweep of it tnrned the boat's head to the shore. A large flat rock in a sheltered nook, near which several stakes had been driven into the river's bed, was visible a short distance ahead. The expectant Aulus ?a solemn sentinel in the shadow of the great bowlders that rose behind and about him?awaited them with nervous impatience. It was the lauding place. A few strokes of oar and paddle brought them there. Bruce stepped forward with the rope in his hand and fastened the boat firmly. But hardly had the bow touched the rock when the clumsy hound sprang into the scow, and after greeting his mistress with uncouth caresses began a jealous inspection of the stranger' dog. The result was apparently unsatisfactory, for he uttered a low growl, am. the hair upon his back and neck began to bristle. "Down, Aulusl" cried the girl, tapping him smartly with the paddle. "Aren't you ashamed of yourself, sir?" The hound subsided and became abject at once. Bruce had already taken a strap from his pocket and after securing the turkeys' legs together thrown the heavy birds across his shoulder. He wawaiting to assist her. Cynthia stopped, and quite unaffectedly handed him his gun, which he had for tho moment forgotten. There was something amazonian in tho gesture. Tho gentleman received it with grave courtesy; then he took the plump little hand which she extended to him frankly, and she leaped lightly upon the rock, followed by her attendant dogs. It was as if Diana, the huntress, were returning from an aquatic excursion. A steep, winding path, skirting rock and bowlder, led to the heights above. The girl at once took the lead, calling to her companion to follow her. There was something in this friendly espionage that was stimulating to the sportsman. He felt the inferiority of his sex under circumstances where it should have been triumphant. At length, out of breath and quite exhausted with his hard climbing, he reached the elevated plateau. The girl was awaiting him. As he stepped out from the dense fringe of pine and hemlock that bordered the river the level rays of the declining sun at first dazzled him. It was like emerging from some twilight cloister into 1 .ie open day. A small cotton field with 6hreds of the woolly crop still clinging to the dry and withered plants stretched before him in dull monotony. Beyond it, amid a grove of great pecans that formed a favorable barrier against unwelcomed northers, stood a small stone house, with its tall adobe chimney. Smoke was curling from the latter, bringing with it suggestions of comfort that appealed to the wayfarer. The sun was going down?a great globe of firebehind the low hills to the west. There were the clanging of stock bells upon 'he air, the bleating of sheep and other sounds which, albeit unmelodious in themselves, are not without their compensations upon the frontier. The young man turned to Cynthia. She was seated on a fallen tree engaged in loosening an antelope which she had tethered to one of the branches before descending the cliff. The fawn, recosmiziner an addition 1o the party in the ranchman's dog, was timid and wary. She finally succeeded in reassuring it MISS VAUINA "THE DAUGHTER OF somewhat, ami witli her pet tripping daintily un before and tugging at the confining rope proceeded. Her companion quietly took his place at her side. "Something of a scramble, wasn't it?" Cynthia inquired, glancing at him slyly from under her drooping lashes, not without a feminine appreciation of his splendid height. Bruce .acquiesced, shifting his gun from his burdened shoulder to a more comfortable position. She regarded him a moment critically. "You're feelin pretty well tuckered now, ain't you?" she finally said as t lit result of this inspection. The young man met this direct que-y with the customary untruth of suffering manhood under similar circumstances. "Land!" said Cynthia, waving a diminutive hand in protest. "Thet climl isn't a circumstance. I can tako you tc 100 worse places than thet right here on this river." "Not with these turkeys on my back if I know it," he remonstrated. The girl laughed at tho suggestion. They had passed through a thor'y chaparral and were close upon tho ranch, Tho sound of a violin, on which was being played a lugubrious air, at timet bursting into sudden erratic strains, witli fitful minors and jarring discords, plain ANNE DAVIS, THE CONFEDERACY" ; know if you can taku euro of him over ; night." The old man stared again, laid down his bow and fiddle upon tho doorstone, extended a heavy hand to Eruce, and after closing upon the latter's fingers ; and lifting his arm as if it had been a i pump handle restored them to him a triiio mniined and without uttering a word, i Tho samo formality was then gone through with the younger individual, whom Cynthia addressed as Buck Jerrold. This gentleman managed to ejacI ulate "Howdy?" in a tone as mechanical i as tho previous gesture. Meanwhile old Dallas had straightened out his legs, crossed them, and with his ; hands elapsed over his knees was gazing up into his guest's face with a puzzled grautv that began to be embarrassing. > "Who bo ye?" ho finally said, with a > doubtful look, putting his hand to his i ear, as if ho wero listening from a remote locality. "Whar did ye say ye : kern from?" Bruce was about to reply when Cynthia interposed and repeated her previous remark more emphatically, "lie's been play in, yo see; ho gets so far over yonder thct it takes him a long time to 1 get back," she explained. 1 "Been?in?the?river?and?lost?his ' ? horse!" tho elder Dallas finally ejacu ly reached tiieui. i no effect was weird and indescribable. l "Are you married?" Cynthia inquired I abruptly, stopping short in the way and leveling her blue eyes full upon hi in i with steadfast scrutiny. The unexpectedness of this inquiry was too much for the sportsman. He I threw back his head and shouted his amusement. The girl appeared relieved > at the action. [ ! "I reckon you ain't," she said at length. [ "You couldn't laugh liko tliet, Is'pos *. if you were. Father says that tuno he's . a-playin is 'Married Life.' I think it's dreadful. It's 0110 of his own, and he > says it's the result of experience. 1 thought perhaps I'd better give you warnin. C'ome in now. and I'll make you acquainted." i She lifted the latch of a rude gate, and together they passed into the ranch in i MRS. JEFFEF stepped toward her. The movement brought the fiddler to himself, who, still playing, turned his body half round. ' and as soon as his eyes rested upon the stranger stopped abruptly, the instrument giving an impatient quaver as the bow fell away from tho strings. He stared blankly at Cynthia, but said nothing. "Mr. Henry Bruce, father, of the Mesquite valley ranch," said his daughter, with a sudden blush. "He's lost his pony, fell in the river and wants to Illlil, "illlll HILL UiU UflltJ [icuu unu ui ji?v year ago still a-goin fur mo at times and contributin to make lifo a weariness of ' the flesh, I reckon n small snifter taken under sieh ilepressin sarcumstances ! might operate as a blessin in disguise." t Ho paused after this lengthy explanation, put his tonguo in his cheek and looked warily around. There was a I dead silence. Mr. Buck Jerrold, who had just entered stooping under a heavy load of wood, cast down his burden upon tho blazing hearth amid a shower of spnrks, and leaning against tho chimney piece grinned incredulously as he listened . to the old man's catalogue of his infirmities. Cynthia sat still between tho dogs and said nothing. "It's powerful sing'lar. Al," remarked Mr. Jerrold slowly, rubbing his bearded chin and pursing his lips, "how long it .Irt ti.lrn nntr?Vl'lll1v to frif flint tJmr fpntV pede pizen out'n a man's unfortunet system when wunst he's be'n bit. You don't seem to hev no kind o' success, although you've be'n picklin ye'se'f off and Vi for it nigh onto fivo years. Thar's Jed Smalley, who allows thethegotoutBido o' a clean gallon o' Jim Wily's rat pizen thet time he sot down on ono duriu j shcarin, an although thet's 10 years ago, ' t closure. CHAPTER IIL An old man.with long gray hair and unkempt beard was seated on the doorstone of the ranch playing a violin. A tall, muscular young fellow lounged against a neighboring live oak, listening | and placidly smoking. Lost in the ren, 1 dering of his dismal music, the face of the performer was vacant and rapt. His eyes had an uncertain wandering gleam, and he bent his chin upon the instrument 1 and hugged it close to him with long sweeps of his bow, as though intent upon the pursuit ?f some elusive melody tk..t ho feared might escape him. His knees were pressed close together, and one foot rested on the other, the toes turned inward, with a humorous suggestion that his musical efforts were demoralizing his lower limbs. Near these erratic feet a monstrous river catfish, recently caught and thrown carelessly down, stretched its unwieldy length. He did not cease playing as Cynthia and Bruce approached, but quite unconscious of their presence continued waking the echoes of the grthering twilight' ' with his tier lish music. His companion greeted the girl with a friendly nod, and quickly detaching himself from the tree j 3 lill-t.' I MU? , <!."> 11 ii ? (la i/ivuiuun in upon him. Then ho rubbed his hands together and chuckled softly to himself, turning his head to 0110 side and closing liis eyes as if there was something very amusing in the recollection. "Waal, waal! Ef this yer state ain't gettin swamped with tenderfoots my name ain't Aleides! Lost his boss?let it walk off and leave him!" ho repeated, chuckling again. "Ye might build up a bustin lire in that tliar grate, Buck, and thaw , him out, I reckon," pointing to tho open hearth within. "Ye kin do that much." Bruce, who had listened to tho commentary of tho older Dallas upon his mishap with outward imperturbability, but inward impatience, hereupon attempted to say something in his own defense, when Cynthia broko in: "Pretty near as bad a case, father, as . when old Julo went off and left you down at tho 'live oak water hole,' the i timo you got down to doctor thet old j ewo that was snako bit, aren't it?" she commented. "It's gettin dark," said the old man, rising abruptly and with a sudden cracking of his rheumatic joints?"it's gettin dark, and I reckon wo better go in." Ho stooped and made a feeble clutch for his relinquished fiddly, but his halting knees were unequal to tho effort, and Jerrold handed it to him. Ho turned on the : doorstep and picked a noto or two with nticnnt- nvoa and a wan florins? hand. "There ain't but two bedrooms in the ' houso outside the settin room, and them's occupied," lie said vaguely, as if to the remote landscape, punctuating his disburse with nervous strumming of the Instrument. "Ye'll hev to 'mako down' with Buck and me on tho floor afore the tiro Ez for dry clothes, the only extrys on hand at this ranch is a buffalo robo and a yaller 'slicker'?yo kin take yer ch'icc. P'raps, ez it is, and thar being a corner in dry goods outside o' woman's duds and fixin's, yo better let them clothes o' yourn dry on yo and hot up from the inside. Yo look stout, and I'll allow yo ; kin stand it. Cynthy, whar's tliet rye whisky the sheriff gin mo over at the 'barbecue'last week? Yo might bring; "say "wnen, san: sno unecieu, uiuug tho liquor at a rapid gate into the proffered glass. "When!" said Bruce hastily, glancing at Cynthia over his half filled tumbler. "Sho!" laughed the ebony Amelia, chuckling and favoring tho young man with a dazzling dental display in her amusement. "Dat ain't a 'marker' fo' a young chap wot's jes' bc'n baptized! Heali, boss!" turning to old Dallas, who , had been silently regarding Bruco and , his protestations against her generosity, "show this gemman wot you 'lows to be do aberago Texas 'rejubenator.' Dey am no sca'city ob de article!" Alcides Dallas stole a quick glance at Cynthia as sho sat between the two dogs dozing in tho comer of the hearthstone, witli one arm around the prostrate Aulus and her e, es gazing into the blazing grate. Then ho stumped eagerly forward. "My shoulder bein a leetle bad today j whar I was t browed last spring at tho 'roundups,'" ho remarked apologetic- j ally, his eyes still upon tho silent Cyn- | ? > i -11 A allows there's days now when the old , symptoms Rets ahead o' him, an he's ; obliged to hobble his conscience an take | a drink or go clean crazy." Mud thct old ccntypcdc bite of five year itfjo xtlll (i-yoln fur me <it times." . | The old man tnnied, with his glass in ' his hand, and gazed doubtfully at Buck Jerrold, as if to fathom the sincerity of 1 his remarks. ; ' "Thet's so," ho said gravely. "Thar's them ez believes ye never kin git over it! Thar's them ez thinks it's jest flyin i intho face of Providence to ever sign tho pledge arter ye've once be'n bit. The train of infirmities and worryruent thct an ablebodied centypedo kin let loose furevermpre 011 an unfortunet critter's distracted inside is too harrowin fur argymint." But here tho humor of his reflections infected even his own sepulchral grav ity, and tlio comers of his mouth twitched; ho turned his back on Cyn- | tliia, permitted Amelia to fill his glass to tho brim, and covering it with his wholo hand so that tho amount of his 1 indulgence was concealed from his audi- j enco tossed tho draft off with surprising ' facility. Ho returned to his seat apparently refreshed. Cynthia rose at once with a sigh, and repairing to tho closet returned with a large tablespoon and an ominous looking j bottle. "Now, father,"' she said, standing beforo him and looking anxiously into his face, "it's time to take tho 'counter irri- j tant.' Ef your shoulder is plaguin you j again tonight, you want your dose. I | s'pose it tastes about as bad as it smells, | but it's only a minute, you know, and j it's all over, and then wc won't hear any j more about 'sufferin humanity' the rest i of the evening." i She poured out a tablespoonful of the mixture and held it toward him coaxingly. "Go 'long, now, Cyn thy!" ejaculated the old man, waving his medicinal favor aside. "Ye don't reckon I wanter mix two kinds o' medicine to onct, do ycr? Thar ain't no sense in sech work ez thet! Wot I jes' took is kalkerlated to fortify ' me ag'in the lingerin effects o' thet thar ! pizen critter's bite, and thet Injun cliollygog hez jest tho opposite effect and would bo wearin on the narves. No, 1 Cynthy, I'm feelin better a'ready, sis, j ' and I don't know ez I owe my inside any partickler grudge to be depressin it to j 1 thet extent." He turned his back abruptly upon his ! j daughter and her solicitations, and j swinging round in the wooden chair on 1 which he sat crossed his legs and gazed fixedly into the blazing coals with an ! expression upon his withered face from which there was no appeal. ' Thus repulsed in her efforts to coun- ' teract what sho believed to be the dan- j ^ ? ! ? _i? i?. n i.Lt? I gerous xeuuencies 01 uquur, v^mum mado one mure appeal. "But you know, father, Dr. Stethy- | scope prescribed this for you whenever j you wero feelin blue and'out of spirits," she pleaded, a pretty trouble gathering t in her anxious brows. "Dr. Stethyscope is a crank and a cussed fool!" returned the elder Dallas | sharply, still with averted back. "I kin ^ run my own inside without any advice from him, I reckon. Wot's more," ho j added, with a grin that disclosed a few j lonely and discolored teeth in his upper j jaw, "jest at present I'm not out of sper- | rits." Ho glanced at Mr. Buck Jerrold lean- i ing against the chimneypiece and winked boldly, as if to clinch the suggestion. Cynthia, heaving another little sigh, ? ~'"J AA f n nar\AAn I ISON DAVIS. out and start your fr'end onto it. Buck, ; go to the woodpile and fetch an armful of wood." So saying and without pausing for a reply ho at once led the way within, followed by Bruce and Cynthia. A wood fire burned upon the ample hearth, the ! leaping flames roaring and crackling up the great chimney and lighting up the dim interior with fantastic play of ligh and shadow. Tho room was bare anu j scantily furnished; tho ceiling peaked, showing the joinings and rafters of the roof. In tho center of tho rough floor stood a long wooden table already set for the evening meal. A few poor prints, recklessly lavish in coloring and villainously out of drawing, hung upon tho walls. A door at tho onnosite end of the room gave upon the neighboring kitchen. Thence proceeded the rattle of cooking utensils and a savory steam that appealed to tho fatigued and hungry sportsman. A few minutes later Cynthia appeared, accompanied by an old negress, turbaned and of middle age, who carried a large brown jug and a couple of glasses. This was the ebon; Amelia, tho presiding genius of the mysterious and appetizing realm she had just quitted. She handed a tumbler to Bruce as ho stood with his back to the blazing hearth exhaling a cloud of steam in his efforts to net upon tho old man's advice, and , throwing tho jug over tho hollow of her , elbow by a dexterous movement of a black forefinger slipped through the handle stood ready to administer tho liquid refreshment. JAJUIUU Lilt; tun ICIitO VJL tlic i back into tho bottle and replaced it in the cupboard with an air of resignation. I She then returned to her seat in the cor- j ner of the hearth between the sleeping 1 dogs. Meanwhile Amelia had crossed the room to a point near tho lounging Mr. Jerrold and stood listening seriously to tho dialogue between father and daughter before proffering her services to him. She now performed the same gymnastic feat with the jug and extended the old man's empty tumbler. "I hain't no use for it," replied Mr. Jerrold listlessly, not changing his at- i titude, but permitting his largo gray I . eyes to wander in the direction of Cyn- j tliia. "Never liavin l>e'n bit yet and bein favored with a right smart appetite , and good works gin'rally, I kin jest j natch'ally run myself satisfactory without reg'larly firin up the machinery. , Now and then in a matter of business, , ef a man don't come to time over a hoss trade or swappin cattle when the facts | , don't, so to speak, keep tally with the argyments, liquor is well enough to | bring conviction. It's a powerful exhorter and convincer of the jedgment, but for ordinary daily livin and dyin I , don't need any in mine, and I reckon I oughter bo glad on't.*' Having delivered himself to this effect he glaneed quickly at Cynthia again and 1 relapsed into silence. Amelia helped j herself gravely to tho contents of tho j ; tumbler, with the remark that she hated to see "sech good whisky lef like dat 1 clean out 'n do cold," and then departed abruptly for the kitchen. Cynthia raised ( her beautiful eyes to Jerrold and thanked him for his reflections with a smile 60 sweet and engaging that Bruce, wet as j ho was, set down his half lilled glass 1 upon the mantel shelf as quietly as pos- ' J sible. Then a silence fell upon the little group?perhaps induced by tho drowsy 1 warmth and that tendency to reverie ' promoted by a blazing fire. The snoring of the dogs fast asleep upon tho hearthstone was heard distinctly in the stillness. ( Theso reflections were broken in upon ] a few minutes later by Amelia, who , emerged from the kitchen carrying a big s dish of fried cattish and a steaming cof- ] feepot, which she placed at the head of ] the table. "Cynthv," said the old man, taking his ( , seat at the festive board without further , ceremony, "tell Amcelyer to hurry up ' with them flapjacks and potatoes. I'm ' nigh starved! Set down, boys, and don't be lmnkerin after victuals thet's jes' gittin cold afore yer eyes. Cynthy, you pour the coffee, and I'll rast'ie with the fish." ' With this homely introduction ho at ? ?*....1.^.1 fl,.i rnO nf JliCU iltlclLlau lin: I laiiui). inu iv?? w :he company cheerfully followed suit. Later, when tho appetite of the veracious Alcides Dallas had succumbed o , the abundant supply of catfish and flapjacks, they all returned to the fire and seated themselves variously about the ' blazing hearth. After a long interval of i : gazing at the incandescent coals the old man delivered himself sententiously to this effect: ' ( "It l>ein a leetle chilly here this even- ' in"?in a low, confidential tone, as if in ! i confidence to tho glowing embers?"it ' bein a leetle chilly tonight, I allow thet i ' c f I axed Ameclyer to make a good pitcher o' eggnog it might help matters and obligate the mists of adversity and de- ' pression to not so monotonously prevail I ?that is, if them durned hens hev con- I Itlii.liwl tn 1;iv nf nil Intel v. Ve see. we've ! made u bogiiinin on thet rye whisky,he . added, by way of apology. "Ameelyor, I wot account hev ye got to give of them pertickler bcnsV" Amelia, who was lmsily engaged clear- I ing away the remnants of the recent I | scraping a dish. "Bless yo' soul, boss, do hens am all reg'lar! I've done got five eggs a day ever sence I fed 'em tliet raw meat." "I wanter know!" said tho old man in gratified surprise, without removing his eyes from tho hearth. "Waal, then, you might beat up about a dozen o' them eggs in a pitcher and empty the rest o' thet jug on 'cm to keep 'em from spilin. I'm anxious not to get them pains ag'in. P'raps it won't do to keep my supper waitin too long for it." "Do Lor!" exclaimed Amelia, rolling her eyes in amazement, "yo' doan' wan' do liolo jug o' whisky in dem eggs, boss! Do yo' wan' cook 'em into one paste same as an om'let? One teaspoonful to ebery egg, sail?dat am de correc' proportion." "Waal, let her goat thet, then!"sighed the old man querulously, "so long ez you don't give thet centypede time to jet to work on my inside afore yer on band with it." Amelia disappeared in the kitchen forthwith and soon returned with tho :oveted beverage in an earthen pitcher. The glasses were filled and set round. , "Thet's a right peart sliootin iron o' your'n, Mr. Bruce!" said the old man, picking up tho latter's breechloader as it stood in a corner of tho hearthstone ind curiously examining it. "Jeewhittaker! It works like a rifle, .lon't it? Waal, now, that lays way over the 'Silent Marv,' Buck, you bet. Cynthy. bring 'Mary' out! She's standin in the comer. I loaded her today, darter,' be added in a low tone of voice as if thinking aloud, "with a handful o' sal t in case that blasted Capting Foraker :omes callin on ye ag'in durin the nert fortnight. I hain't no other use for him, ind I reckon he knows it!" Cynthia made no reply to this remark Df Alcides. but soon returned to the iiearth carrying with difficulty au enormous muzzle loading shotgun. It was louble barreled and evidently designed tor killing geeso at long range. "I call her the 'Silent Mary,' "said the fid man, setting the unwieldy weapon oetween his knees and regarding it admirably, "out of a feelin of gentle sar:asm. She's about the loudest in argument of any shootin iron I ever sec. And Evhat she hez to say generally strikes lome?sometimes both ways. I reckoned the drum of my ear one time was plumb busted! But lookin at her by and large," ho added, tapping the barrel and surveying the great gun, " 'Mary' hez more p'ints and more 'git thar' than anythin I ever yet p'inted into a flock o" geese or wild duck." Ho turned his head slowly and regarded Bruce. "I dare say," the latter replied considerately, "you can count on that gun for irery long range, but I fiud mine convenient for ordinary shooting. Won't you try a cigar?" He opened a leather cigar case and held it toward him. The old man took one as a matter of course, but pursued his reflections. Bruce extended the case to .Terrold, and then lighting one himself blew a cloud into the open fireplace. "I don't allow thet you'll believe me," said old Dallas, biting off the whole lower end of the weed before fitting it carefully between his scant teeth, "but I hev killed geese with 'Mary' ez far as ISO yards. I'd like to git a 'bead' with her on them fellers cz stole Old Spike and them running hogs o' our'n, Buck," ho broke out suddenly. Mr. Buck Jerrold assented grimly, laying a significant hand on a revolver he wore in his belt and tilting his cigar in his mouth reflectively. "Are you meeting with any loss in that way?" inquired Bruce, quietly glancing at both. "I've had a little trouble of that kind myself lately." "Vo.oo " #1 rwlo/I the iilil itiiin "therfi'fl alius suthin goin wrong with yer live stock. Ef it ain't cows it's bosses, and ef it ain't bosses it's bogs. Them black and white bogs o' mine are runnin free, to be sure, but theyv'e good a good road brand, and there ain't no excuse for huntin 'em. But they's pork with mv brand fur sale down at San Marcus all the same. I reckon it's Lem Wickson and his gang. I've sent word to the sheriff, and he'll be over here some day to talk it over. I perpose to hev the law on 'em. "Dudburn the luck!" he broke out suddenly as recent disasters increased his impatience. "There's them fine wooled Vermont bucks out in the pen. One on 'em didn't como to time yesterday at sundown. Found him lyin stiff and cc'i in the momin?pizened on laurel, I reckon! It's enough to gravel the patience of Job, durned ef it ain't!" He leaned back in his chair and took a long, consolatory sip of Jhe eggnog ia his tumbler with evident"^est. All at once the air without was filled with cries, as if all bed'am were let loose?shrieks, barks and yells that, from their number and frequency, might havo proceeded from .10 throats. "There they go, them durned coyotes!" ejaculated the old man, turning to listen. "I reckon they're wranglin over tho carcass o' tliet poor old buck. I never hear one o' them devils tune up," he continued slowly, "but wot I think o' my wife cz was onct an liowshe could 'hold tho fort' ef any one givo her a reasonable opportunity. I'd back her ag'in anythin I ever seen yet. Thar was times in my fam'ly," lie added, sinking his voice almost to a whisper, "when I fust como to Texas an started in the hotel business,*an tho frontier not. so to speak, exactly jibin with Marier's eccentricities?thar was times in my family when nothin short of a menagericr at feedin time could ekel it. I useter sit by them times tryin to consolo myself with the idea thet I bed tho biggest domestic circus in tho Lone Star country. Thar wan't much comfort in thet somehow. But I'm hero yet," ho concluded triumphantly. "Marier ain't, though," he added after a pause. "Is vour wife dead, sir?" inquired Bruce, with all the gravity ho could assume. Cynthia glanced up at him with a pained look. "Don't git A1 started on married life? don't, natch'ally!" interposed Jerrold hastily, with a warning gesture. But the train was already fired. Don't Tkist Any onk.?At most )f the hotels in Chicago, after a guest :ias occupied a room for one week he cccives a bill. If it isn't paid within 1 few minutes of its receipt, says The Hotel Reporter, he finds on going to lis room that he can't get in. He lammers away at the lock, but it won't ivork. Then he goes down to the oflice uid explains to the clerk there is something the matter with the lock, flic clerk looks grimly at him, and ibserves: "I guess yer ain't paid ycr bill." "Certainly not, I got it only three uinutcs ago. But what's that to do tvith the lock of my room ?" "Everything. We've put what we ?ull a 'flea' in the lock, and no one . an open it but us. Yer can't get in ill yer pay yer bill." "But I've lived in this hotel for two rears. I own that block of houses . ??. c?..,w.4 .....i i'.? .. itivwrt niu nui i ij iiiiu i in t? iijiiiiwiilirc." "Don't make 110 odds. Every one's liable to turn crooked sometime or jther, 'specially in Chicago, and we thought we'd get the drop on yer, instead of yer getting it on us. We lon't trust anyone, we don't, not even 3Ur own brothers, in this town." 8The Lewiston (Maine) Journal makes the surprising statement that :he wild lands of Maine would make thirteen States as large as Khode Island, and two as large as New llamphshire and Vermont, and one twice as large as Massachusetts. 8*3?" A coward can tight in battle, but it takes a hero to sutler patiently done. 4