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*». s ■ 4 Lkua)., Mi feantlU* ami mis- —:—(cllaiHou-s—:— w s 'ne People., Pxi^e [irt-aniik* and.; cllamo*!-!—:— Printing Aeouted !*mr,r)t!ly al .l iii tin ist It bolt tin; i'uh’t.i: 1 rv 4 Q A. T, WOODWARD, ATT ORNEY-AT-LA W liarii«veil, S. C. Munm to leiKl <M farmf*.— Tovu, l<ii« Htul iiiii»rov* u >.; Un,N l<*r hair. Will ; •t • * uf c’i arcti Ai>'4 Uiaitf • •a i h at d la,) / tv ( Ui lift. ' ' : ',-1: • / * - "T‘ VOL. XV. BARNV/ELL COURT HOUSE, S. C., APRIL 21, 1802. * V % Ho. 34 rrrivX -i-rv. r-.-i.rty -xwy? Postmlsiress CP • Laurel Run. * •/ , jo Y BRET H B R T n . CopyJltfUt, tsw. b>- tlio Author. All Uiglits Ueserjed Hi! o* v ; i ■ 1 At‘ '.l t ' f i i! ’ V C • • 1 ■ it # I>! .u<* : :u! t• plird the wko!' Lqgrrga n t v hi^tii you ui the leasts r' 9 ^wr' fT 1 . sent froin Laurel post oflicc. It *was a il.en, it t inenu insiiHiatiou! She would sojtid in - -^t m> far as it # may relieve, you tuul her resl piatioii at once! Site would {jet sonu: otiier^ 'ili.it theti partuientvliuo'VH UilTJI^UBgT hot ahd ■ r * t ; • J The rotvtn wav.very hot atid very qtiiotj, site cpu'M hear the vwijrpin.T iiiiil creakimr of the shin jles under the 1 . She was foreman < f b.. wifQ- of .!• ’ri the. ** boy’s 51 -to write an insult in jf letter equally well from a certain responsibil- r ,.* ;ix i, v , 0 f the nearly level sunloarav ’o r \q Somttor SlocumV»-ldrs. Balter had ity. and, perhaps anxiety We fire The o|.,ee cloeh stnielc teven. In tho lakes the^eniihine idea f^f pwerniucnt us n pretty well post Pd down ther^ in all blV:il i,Kv>s K.Lneo that fV. lowed, a purely personal institution—and shes that e<.>r.ce.rns Laurel Bun. and I think* CHAPTi:?. L for a year lyin^ tlisa'l in»(U‘'r h: i it mhe of truslied. und heaten-in t and at Htmit There had h . « f a, sUvi- *deu . outcry from the depth’s atV rh,-* ohl would fin'd iout who it was tiiat 1 uid put them up to lids pryiivi, crawiinfr impu dence! It was pi ab! v that- wali-eyc l hot notmtide one (lay, and .John’ had The mail staj-e liad just passed Laurel rns | ie{ j f r om- his ehl.iu,- .his yonn^, Hun. So rapidly that the whirling foolish, iiirtin;r wife eii^ 'iny to him, cloutl of dust druyeyd with it down tho ^ an swor that de‘oaiian ; cry But htcep grade from the summit hung over s .,f, rose suddenly with ay, Je fc.'-e find how.** lie went; the mi n wore fr- i H — wife of the post/haste? c<f Heavy•. Tree Crossi-n'r, vfho v. as jealous of her. * “Remind hoi; of their previous unan swered eominunidation,'” indeed! Wliero was that c mnuur.ieation, nay we v? She rein, •.-nl.-ere 1 1 lie hud ■ vnt it to her ad- tlav level vanished. i-rr-- •toTlif Trfm- and tlien, driitiny Tw'lh ivh T‘ 0 ht haw) “we've known all about you and .John TTaTcer"• Wy only bn me s her-'is. to take your place to- n slit in ivedivi i;' the r omrtTtT«TS way hmr,’ t. t you know arrives hero at kruOr doesn’t it?” “Yes. r," snid Mrs Baker, hurried ly; “but it never has anything for ii< ex’c'mt -”( lieeau/ht herself up quickly with a stammer, as she remembered the away, slowly sifted a red precipitate over the ^ hot phfu'orm of tho Laurel - Run po^t ofiice. • t)ut of this elond presently^emerged the neat figure of tlu* postmistress with the mail ba;r which had been de.\t« rov.s- ly flung at her ‘fret .from the bvpof the passing vehiHe. A dozen loungers eagerly stretched out their hands to as sist her, but ijic warning: “It’s agin the rules, boys, for any b’et her to touch it” from a bystander ynd a coquettish shake of the head from the postmistress^ herself~ j nui t 1 'more eiTcetive than any oflieiiA Intenlt^t— : wHhheld them. The l^agj^s not heavy- 1 -Laurel Run was too recent a'aettlement to have attracted much corfesp'vndencc—and the you!, j woman, having pmiucoil upon her prey with a ct rtatn feline instinct, ilragg-'d it.t not—w^liov.t diCieuity, behird the pn ru; ion i'll ihelosuro in the of.I aj aiTf locked the d>*or. Her pretty face^mo- inentxrlly vivIMe through the window, xyqs -ulirrhy v tfuahed with the exertion. \! the 1.• -e or is of her fair hair, wT h per pifati u, curieJ then, riv-'s r her forehead into tantalir.ing little ilint tli# ■>. low Khu%t«r wait tjnichly el and t 1 is inomen!xry hut t^nniii’.q v: .ou withdrawn frv.:.i t..c xvui’it ^ pul !i • •MI nrkuert otighter have more sense than to moke a u mm p;« k tnn.l bags o. i% r the road,’* katd J<» r'.unn 'tis, 4-yin- p. 'tt.etieaHy ***i: r:t in her i*'y’s w rh. •tw; r <T r m-1 %-r t ’em ov. r t<> her 1.. a lady, it» riyii enough and ne’y n 'jugl,.*! **’Tain t govern.:i» ceinpiioy o am. an«l y a newcomer. “Thu; line to s*w b.'B .i I v take thc'.r dust j* air.’t in their o <n Lrit she had waited for him ever suiee. Yet in the shock of the eulam.ty and in t!ie after stYiiaglcs of that poviwty v. which had come to the ruined camp she had scarcely change (L Riit I ho men had. AUhOugh she was to all appearances the . same giddy, pretty Betsy Brtker who had been s > di turb- in^g to tlie younger members, they seemed no louge.r t > be her. A certain subdued spect, as iLthe'mai tyixd spirit of John 'Baker still held his arm around her, mirer at Uiek' rv lliil. Odd that ho ■•b.u! nTTmi \v. idylt Of ctTtrrve-. he>nevv ci^Tmc'Mfis-ru’si m-e.-ogmi:il.ulIe.nngtLL~ dll about this meanness—could he too woodpecker to,.i< up his interrupted ivofk on tlie roOf, ami seemed t • beat’ out tnoix toriously in her car.tho lact words nf thed>trauger: SiaBtoa Gr ca— a tl ief! Slant n Green, otto 6t tips “hoys” John had helped out of tho fall ing tunnel Stanton (Ireon, whoso old mother in st-Ae* still wrote letters to hinutd, LaurelTl’n'ri. in a'fuw houra to be a disgraced and ruined man forever! sW remembered now, ns n tnoughtlcss vvoin :i nnlumbers, t'.les of his c.\- ehange.d a’ the sight of the . whdJ, dg- termined fnc'g th; t ha.d never lob’ . o^»*e I. ..?<*: . • h.h.n'bv.t wo** u.ved rgon % •lar f 'e bag, who • * .v.vning.in wr.., ft ill open an 1 proppgtl up beside [Liu d es^.. _ -> 1 _ , ‘•Y.’hrro is the. f irough money l>tfer thnt c.wiar 'tn thut t.ig?** she said, - (juk lily. *• “What—df>—you—mean?” he stam- .merrd, wi’rrn, face that hdd -sud kvnly {pr e.vn whiter t’uuj lier own. “I mean that it’s a tleedy, eheehod at Heavy Ye e C’ro ing, and.that Mr. Ilome. of I i 1 ! fn r at my ofiice for .to krunv if you have • a it.” disturbed by a've a■ i i i • ‘- Itave. dared to suxpeet lier! '1 he thought durued her m ini ;.»n again. ’ lie, Stanton (Irt'en*was an «)!d ‘'Laurel BurAicr," n ifrk ad of John’s. La li tie“U iijin* ” an 1 “presooinm',” but still an old loyal ph> neer of 11 - ; **Why hadn’t he -■ 'i heye was the soft mnfdeth fall of a horse’s h ( f if) t!.e thick of the hi Sr.v. v, th ■. j: ge .of dlsjmnriting spurs, pad a lira! tread on the platform. “exeept a notifleation from Hill post o'llee. It leaves there,” she went on. with an alTeetation tif preci sion, “at hh!f-post ei dst exactly, and it’s al>out an hour’s run—seven milch by road." “Hvactly,” snid Mr fforno. “Well, 1 will receive the bag. open It-jind »lis- pateh it a gain. You can, If you choose, take a holiday.’* “But,” said Mrs. The InuMi and lie that he had at. fiE.sl rnrr:rT:Trr~ar>Tr yn :I ■ i^'r,\tth rrrrrd’*r^/ : Tv-To' i v iTh”r~TT\?~ she had taken no heed, and, with n never r-u hiuKH m. 1 under the sense of shame, of presents sent her sjiell of h.er rnxl, trut’ ful fe.ee, he that, she-now clearly saw nr.u.t, have tur.'ed •» tm .enieaMjr to his desk it; it'«* thr.t mh's.” Intern!.•w'tl think ti m ditv seeincd to have cottv* upon them all. Th.ey held their Breath ns this pwetty woman, whoso brief mourning had not seenlcd to effect her cheeriuhu s or even playfulness- <J spirit, passed be fore them. But sh« stood by her cabin and the camp—the only woman in a icuimniiut uf ^rty. m.-a--- J ’• darkest hours of their fortune, help ing them to wash and cook au l mbi- i>t> r1egto ttioir domestic i:‘•■•Is. Tiie snuetitv of her cabin -was, however, al ways kept as InviolaII* us if it' h ’d been l.ii tomb. No one cxa' tly knew w liy, fir it was only a tacit irst.inet; but even ore or two vie h lit . . I • . .• : f > L • . h during J 'tti B - hh* ►. .. . i ... ev n u ‘. eggestion of f • a” nri'y i ov;.r i tho woman \v|v» h i'i sit t !».,.• would “wnit f whim t-. re. * \' r i ■ sett.cinel.t e ; l i-* T .• .• J i .•, •••■ , . f :■ I "I a j? giii >4" aup.ii d ‘h i 1 k ■■n hurrtc^ up * » r--.. ,vu tac ►%.! 1**- h'u.ruere I and hwked-up w i lth *>f Burnt llUlff**, th# ne. !« • f V •> con;- vibt, one .of the boys returning for .]u.«nt ii rc > irks u-ntler the her »mi a. j'le tieji.re, and she h i i ‘c*uyotin’’r. • Vnd’,” Imt now er top ’ur out her wr >n r s to :.it r. .%!:•'had h^r handdra- n th<! Tlw..r (f t!.u partition will* ;< n-“.v ,caso of . . < . . > con tieen far heypnd .his tncpjas. VYiiat would the hoys sny? What would, John have said/ Ah! Avhat would John liavo done! - -• She started suddenly to her feet, white and edld as on that day tlirt slie had parted from John Baker before tho tunnel. She putvsn her hut and man tle, and going to that little Iron safe mut of the superior luisiiro . t }, ut tl . „| tlie corner, «nlo-Led it, and t'M'k out its entire eonf.i'i’ts-of gold and : liver. She had ruaeheiT tiio d<K>r when nneChcr i lea kcI.-a l h* f, and Balder, ns she re membered that Laurel Run nlwavs made a point of utteri hug her evening levee <>n a ht B •.•’■ I - “1 o.-i-w .-ire the people who r -* conic for letters, you know ” “I thou *ht yon said there were.no letters at that Luiu,” haul Mr. Home, quickly. . .,* - “No— bet—butr—”(with s slight hvs- t • : ■ ai) — ‘ 'l ..e boy conic all the same." “Oh!" said Mr flnrie. drylr andto‘d;out.:jp.i ka 'e.'v “Good (loti! Y*nu'vo opuntd it - rl- rendy!" r.ha cried, pointing to tho broken seal. — ~ v . d’lie preralon dtu hrr X.'c A , raAre • thar» nnyliiin * she had saM, e ’. vin -ed him that ■ he l.new all. under thb new ahvrm t i*ig t ne • e, e “V somo hill.-- the colhv' W lie re thin. f r the m ■ from tho p I !e sf ii'iiaered it her do ;K>hr- r ! v. a>«<vv i.. j r \ya< waiting 1 took sbme- But I was r;t> o]>rnifig h r desk sho colleetud h< r stamps to the h< d sliret, and hurrietiiy r< ihai them up tmder her cape. Then, with a glaiwe at the el a rypid, survey * f the r >: i fr> ei tin* plutfpriii sh»* s'ip;**' 1 frotn if, iiml seeiqqdTo l>o I i ("> Mi ^1* —'I '1 • p H. 'L "-fimV p LI . |( n •. \ \ # K I -L r? 1 i;vV 1 ! IV - * 1 , V- ’ jT/r" “And—(> l*qrd!” But here the xpectv swaHowud up pi the W^itli^jpAvooda be ■ r !'-• i msible dlaeOtnfilure of yond. Laurel r.’.m at meeting the bearded face ' . C^'d A P’i I U IT. frier, llv shadows oj >f Mr It. :n ” IhsT A *ld of‘hrr min sm«»th • j /_■ t i- JL ■man I. ag 1. f inanity nnd the John Baker wt* cd Quarters t i t dais iU ‘ of f_l non r\r.u vou to real n?" her w.w'’.. * *rs? But h#rs ) t wv'W •U J- A r v f sr.d to w at bi evn f t’ to * 1 mils d t: igti • even ns s; -iv in* -laor was p U eoveut pmv. ! ir< :n th'* a inn-t<‘r a? Bur: t tL-’ «* e |<fo!d “-Js- b * ' li and • 1 l » ■ an.ably — ui .-u.rit. Thief# were sew t •*i‘l - of w hieh tire we» e f.’r le r - • the proportion wn, smi i the. Two of* them were rr.arkv business," and were pro:r;!>f with fvuiii.hi,' <:.• • 4t felt l.rasx wai hi Nia-. l t other .cptnpui Uncut Itnau t’.-! 1. >!dirg tlie presents. • Then the shutter w.:-. opened and tho task of delivery com* mo need. his . *f r5 Raker.** h#«a!d, , ...... ...s !.at Nrca ly in his rr^* rforre, of San Fr>T)e?s , *o.’* . • his eyes «wpt appr win dy ..t »n<> are. the prhnly-tied l well kept pigeon Uolet; tho vers f n her desk; her china ■. and hilling lilt! * chip hat, is ha.. • ;g * *.. . t the wall; lier own p.nk, flushed fnee, tt? ey> s, t« firtwed citi.guig c n f d up n t iB Icwtli^cu .1 !; * .. .• I the t.. I•!•.*. .•t. me fixed on the m ? a ta- of tl,w ;in.or(*ns exprl man nm i: ‘d liaagiii'f from the ? f * T I , ... ! ' , » ^ I Lt > Oi Iti*' i «AS.a iiO .aLvi ruv^ril it. .d:er was before him. checks, at the window, combined with her r.ervoxs • xeit**nicnt. overvalue her so t’aat, t nruwang he^ bttie frilh'd app u <»v?r ii« % r head, s!ie ga-ve way to u parox- of liyst w. -al Iriu/hbT Mr thoufa wait ! with a'nvjw*<i t"lora*l 'O for it to s’, g. und when she hat rt*e<iv*rcd re- i> • j. 1 “Now. I shoal I like» v to refer an ijist mt to my first e t-nniunieatiou to yo-i Have you g.*t it han!ly' > ” Mr*. Bjkur’a L.u f:ll “No, I *cr.t ft over to Mr tireen, of Hickory lliil, for information.** “What!" Terri‘led nt the audfVn verlousnesa of t lie man* voice, she man*g»*d bi gasp out, h everer, that, aft^r her usual hat^ it. s.iv» ha in t o* -ned t%v oflicul let- . t r. s, lit h • I sei.t th* m to her more ex- eri' ‘1 colleague f.*r udvieti and m- nxliotv. that s!i# never could under* tv] them ftersclf They made hrr -I r ’e and interfered with her »r duties; but he or.derstood them tent her uror 1 what to do Remein- i.. /, a! o, his usual •*} 1c of ludursu* cm them.* i!<»nie, with • it ti few mo his beard ha Ixned woman. M s (taker, k>s,s-4k y to ymi than I had in- Onee w Itbbvtln the loiur b. it , f j.% . Mi, Ikiker kept t!>*mi until .!,e 1 rd left the limit, d s t* I!• "tii.•!'t «*f L.unc 1 Lnn f ir r» the rigid, and e'.me np -n mi open rhuH* of B irnt Rid t*. where fch * knew Jo Finmni.i-’ mustang* Itlno l.igldning. would Ik- quietly feedil./. She hud oft. n rid-h'n him In fore, and w ln-n sj'e had deta* lied the fifty-f* 'Friata fr>nn TiifhvJel ’all, he |.« rui’ited her the further ryeognued fadilllanty of twtr.ing I'er’flrrger- in I *s bluish mane and climbing.»u itis ba a. The too* sued of Burnt Rl.lge tunnel, w hero Jo's saddle and bridle always bun *. w as but a can*, r further on. Sh.* yon to make i-.j'self rich, end to bo ;i i>l<‘ %... r yo eahomC and take yoil uwT»y fru:'n > r.hurv'd Run, It was rVU’fq?; y.n'j it v.. .';!1 r>r lore of you, Bet.7^ rev liarlhi.'. h:-ten. to mo." T- . In .the ft,;-;.-, i.ntra ;od sen sihi’ity, Ir- di na<i'irf .y . h lag.* disga^tkrtt CiTed her 4rtH-' 1- 'y iN—momeTrt, ahit ! h.ui! 1 !.•■'; • ! . ur. br *.*, imperi • •lesa-lilv . I e r ding. Bxit (Jo»l i at 1 S .1 s::'.'*rinT \ .'l only v.rit’i 0 her .hat: l from Iris- :--p xvitlrchiklisU contortl.»nv; k’u* i n. I only glare nt» him with s th t were prettily an l plqua^itly br:]ii’at; shire uild4>«fy.slap at hi • de’ ;ie.iii'* ha;: 1 with n plump nnd VeI . ah/4-.'..n. an.l w,: n .sin- found he#- v.: ' ;■ 'v ; r- rvrrr-'TT-^niraTi hir>"’ • v \ . ‘ t. I Ye 1.10 bo, loot;ey, or I’ll ; cream He as- e, with a wn:,k. ror fused laugh, ‘ .1 UXl half of real aiug'r and shr.in A . .* “Vi h;;t did ytdl eomt* riding over hero f' g. then? V. l.at did you take nil thin risk fi^rlL Why did you rush over hero tq^fiare r: / di grace, for you are a.-* much mixed np with this now as I am— if you uidnT 1 ..icuhd.e !•> fehtre erery- Ihi: g c]> • w ith me? YiTmt did you. com • here fqr.Mhen, if not for me?’’ ‘•V.’hat -did—.>mc here for? \Ycll!t 1 came here f r J oh n Baker’s sake! John Baker, Who at *<1 between yoa iir.d d 'nt’.i at -Burnt’ Rid/e, ns I stand betwet a you :p 1 damnation nt Laurel L m, r «i; Yes, .1 dm Uakj r, Ij-- i-Hg wvW-Italf oLihiiiot Ihulgi!, liutnuiro t » in,* t! N d, iy than nny- living murs crji’X’brg ov. r it In In—*’. Olq fatal cl A 1 th of Mird.i v ! Whet i u« livin’ wifo to carry ors d.- . -$1 . ! c .. I John Bak f T 1 ’u nt-ut i.i u-* t<» tnah'u • ** a “Ilow miK •M *;,lv a tr tmaii. 11 uoxrv I »wear \. m .ther >r i»h it 1M! 1 r. p.a ht I V V n\-t t f .1 .. * t ra rrt. she pew rd again. p I* t ’ •*r •*A« id wh. t d.d ha say?” ft 1.1 .n • “N* Ailing; be d lri t r.'t: !r o r ; •X ••X* ittn I’.'.y,” said Mr 1 1! vr i th r-f '•mil • r c.xpre«* i m Afh a * .» ii- li*. •..* »* si’.'-ut *trokiut* of PCX! Ta •By fa cd the fright 1. Which h in rrnrirt 1 :il th tl tin* next •ctrtnir over a. t’ d » I t foot work this time, ui.Tybe, Mr. Green; hut his work, nnd for him only—precious! 'i’hnt’s v. !iat I enmo her%* for; that’s, what I li\ • f .r! t’.iat’* wh^t I’m wait ing f< r t>! ngtoliim und Ids wark| ulw.iv . That’s mo—lU'tsy Baker!** * * f Fhu.>v*Ba ! up and down rapidly, ty ing h. a r thh> hat uah'r her chin Th •!» M ' ** ;v*b and, taking her’ cluiuiois pur-' (run her pockbt* laid iB sharply on the it*‘*M. “"taoto!*iin en, don’t l»e n fod! IliiO| Up out of this, und be a tnan* ugain.l Take rno i 1, out o' that l^ag to I*®.'*) what you owe the gov’ment, tend lot y »ur resignation, nnd keep tlie rest Ur start yoti in an hnomt life rls(»*w Uerr.i But light out a* Hickory UiU afore thiM nm.** 1 h**r m; a “You »r<* fcoln"?** hn said, bitterly. * ••Yes.” Hither s!i# tsmld not hold serl »usne*s Idig la h.*r capricious liltki fancy, or, w ith feminine ts* t. s!m» •ought t * in.al.rt tlws partin/ les* difil- i*H l t f r him. for sho broke into a daz- rling . nd*. “Yes, Ihn tn»in* to nmJ I.Iu* Li ;htn'fig agin Charley and thaft w. . 1 *t U to Laurel Ruu, and b re air Uuu! tem intle from tho wall l r t?r cU : ; vt n ,, kv>-r* if vrmaUon •n!!!!^.! sas; ha! l i Q-t* e unwittingly. I be- * to a man OT ‘•t*ofpecu- ° : - ixe, with* nt l.nowlng it, ‘mxster utlliukorT Hill r; '' drd, nnd. ns you might ‘ !l • f; • 1 oar plant for Lacing a us • f ernbcz/’ciotnUs to their proper •e.'. v >n w ill sec that y »u might • ubo«! me great wrong to yourself la, ouly r.gighbor nn I t!ie next ro* ■Ndo pel*, n In plain word*, wn t .1 the ditr.py aran.-o of money er* to a tv>*;it vYarn it !• *s between • te • >l !• -e*. -N^rw-. | hare riot tlio t be-.t.g.ion in^tyTTi'! f you tiut wo . A ► t f .-.urcl Run, and never > * is r-i-t. B it. Even Hie result of r thou* Id h-'f act, ulthonghil warned •ji-: ms our nusrsi ion of his gn» U Lo t!iu warning, it lu.s failed, or ho er rvn f*‘ " ’ • <, for i.u Bier lett'r flirt I tape fastfliiii, - were 1 limucii 'i 1 •• % 1 I. “N give nn* *• •m« thi?ig In n JO 1 •! no u brass *»uim l wH/ht, an<l the xim * feverish tm t c..|k*c tc 1 h.t Tvr ;T*pnt it in pr)**r. -ne , «4#4#i it, nnd, : ddiv :*i • it 1 n a Inr V prill hand t » her- df . t Laui r. 1 UIU . dro.»j t .1, f; ! .f t I , was aeeoTtipanievi social i<H‘ulixritp»atl - ttt-^uid in time become a inbH-^of Laurel Run. A- the y. u: ; •iivered the sjlters in turn to v wrote ."tiers, v■. a :..e re- ver, tl at t e^ ' ite *b*- diennisly apd su;. iei, usly in e 't* of tho.se received. To e> iviat * t!ii*. i ! t I'rrtie* made foiv d journexs t * ILek- ory Hill, tlie r.ext i t < h , wit'i .li ters jukI circulars a«b.re .i %•> them selves at Laurel Run Ih w long the extravagance wouM have eon* "nurd is not known, but it was not until it was rumored that, in consequence <>f thb e.\ec ; ive I’a'W ( f bu-.ness the depart ment had concluded th.lt a [ - t iierk r would be better fitted for the place that abated, nnd a eomnvnnihe was cf- d u itli t!:e g ncral othee by a per- uiunt'ntxalayy to t!:e j'ost: , ‘re.s. ha'd^just^fiwN.hed her cftclrnoon levce^^*mlded a smSdng “go ■d-Ur” to , her last (U^M^nii r aial o*-. -! her s'l :! %-*c- agahi. Then shsgtook up luJrdbwB U t- Jng them rshneec! lo M , < l »t inJuT arms. She had been Empied and bewildered to re- nr t intrusion behind the p -.r- tition, but lids hi "t fennllanty w ith her sacred c hi i;.l property—ullnHl empty— cap;- 'd the climax of her wrongs. “How dare you touch it?” Sho said, indignantly. “llo.v dare yo’i ooitw in here? Whoarayou, auyvvuy? Goout- at onee’’ The Ktranyer fell back with an amused deprecatory gesture, ntrl a long, silent ’ nigh. “I’m afraid you don’t know me. ho said, pleasantly. “I'm Harry Home, the department agent from the Sun Francisco ofli -o. Mv note of iuivav. . t !io» ( nvcj. ■■ t—.rr-edr-b V. l! h' seems to have been inis- 1 -ince T<>-right, how- • c*t.e all doubt in the matter n tint br. r la this oQice to* I <1‘* not find a certain decoy h;.s been m ever, ill se Y' l.en I one night letter in it which was last * aeelied at lit rvy 'i ree Crossing. I shall know that it remrirfs in Grueu’s possussioa at : . . v Bill.** She was sitting hack in her ehuir, wh’te nnd breathless. Ilo glanced ut her kindly, aial then took up his hat “Come, Mrs. Baker, deuT let li»is worry the sky, hut t’ e ;^* wr -‘id t*. • th.* C•'d l reath *-f night, i * sii Ur.ew it. had not yet liegvn down the m mnfnln The lowei of Burnt Rid/e W..v*tiM istiecdij the creep:itg hhadew of t!i * to ahead « f I r. V.t^hout a wat wit!» this familiar nnd s’ nvlv <!( iii.il S| r; I out before 1; r, >!u the time t i a uiinnt • H e y »• a ! >*r h i d t in d. ‘ r adv w :p*al out by that -ha h \ fin ■ r h..!f i . \ !evi n! would be at IHckoiyrtli hr.'.f past i i,ht; i iie on*, hi it, if po-; ibie—it would s*r: to change hor v cs—she m in .v: iU.i »± _ A*1 4^ man. >f t! sh .,1. t hill. An attitndo o f.^dish [• i* ion hi* former tremulous f< exc ledlv, 'but without Baker wijssl her Tie »U 1 tr lad li, •. a'id sh. -ok n and Mr rt llu* h t b.- so. j Ik re was a , n f re the r.se of Blue Light rang thr.t was mueh und fluttering ri ■ d two-ml!" .I:e iu \t ran '• T\a^^^-kn« for t!v• lit!le bans well be over the bluish mane, and the spiraling, ey, ilin r motith a r*. Bah-vr:’* t put Tier flri lip , und threw u i nnd enigmatical nr chievons fu'ee. ‘ idlere’s n big San Francis Inkin’ my place ut Lmnvl Charley." “Yes, ina’aih.** “And it’s a pity that the way bag happened to get sue! ing up ai*(l bano in/ h re.’’ “iii.r “I say,” continued to into frr rTTi i name <»n with a orot t tlie two' fiv iah,efi.velooi i . add. . eiPHo. herself wliich s!:e had shelved, h iiey wen^pon- ered-’.v a lot ( f new rules (?) or m- -crttiree*. ee-—H o--iH'd” 4{ne ,V-.oe-w hieh- Joli.N; WILL UKP.K. WAIT TOlt huid !' onlv ache, turned f r tv- brows rind iiwg ’ er pr:v:'‘“ ( open the 1. ‘ ri fie. it eui i. •'—* t tlie men who were patiently draw n up in Indian file, she made that simple act a medium of privil '.• l but 1 invited con-. versa lion on s;;e.eial or general top’-s—. guy'or serious us the » :-e might 1 e— or the L'tnperament <u Ibo man .sug-_ gosted. Tliat ,4t ur*. almost'ulw.i.- of u complimentary thaiaeter on their part, may, be readily imagined; but -it was invariably characterized by an <‘le- 1 n.ent of reiinod restraint, aiid, w lu'ther ' V; S <■ •*“ from some implied understanding or in-. divylUftl sense of honor—it never passed the lypunds of eonvenb-Miality or a e.-r- raia deli.a.vof rc-p.-ct. '] lied, livery wax, conse.quently» .more or le-.s pro tracted, but wdicvr each man had' ex changed his thr.*re t>r^fonr minutes' eon* vi’r-.itioh w .tW t h-- fair p-t m:-* •-•'s«-a eomcrsiitioa at tunes inipodeil by basfi- fulne.*s «*r tltHrlity.yn his-part m*!, iy, or-re>tricte*l oftedCto rTgoo-MiiIiuig—hJ resignedly made w uc for thwiwYt. It . tv^hft formal ievoe. mll!J^»*d bj, tin? in formality of ru»tM tact, p,? -t v *• I * '-Ci *p u a'. .;*b^ i te . p.. iv a c c, -■ — * h't'*do do with Luurgl Run, and ■red lier ;;;. ! “'in;; e 1 t head had u-ually referred them to her ndmimig o*' gl-.lavr at li'ick- drj’ Hill for e\p!ana1 ion, who had gen erally returned them to her with the brief ind<UVenjent: “i’urp stufi’; don't bbther, ” or ’* ! I eg w a' 'rem* rulsf’rfn- row t! hi: •t ltd- It slide.”.She he b:. V : Y- - -AVitJi knitted • • • • t . 1- ! - n in her fright and astonishment it fl ht d upon ?-h‘x. Be.kvr that she had fc#;d thf!11fieo, too. -to iliekory Hid. ■i: it with iLall tlie feminine seer' tive in- stln-t vvilhia her wa- now thoroughly kept silent. . I os; -.it t » have explained,” lies went . A * . . ... on^'r.’fkviiy.; “nut you uro qu.v ri ;ijt, dnr. ilkkcr. h » ao led;;nodding toward - Ing —f ^ .■ y-ou knOw,—l -had x.o aNid'' s tlVgo n-.'ar it. Glad to 'rt" yon kmwys^o'v t > kidfend Fnel * Sam's ])•*. rty wtsih I iviSjo-mly;.t hit puz zled .to kn-wv” (pHftHng t>><tb(! wire), “if- that thing wa* oVCii-o b;qjs\)hen it was (;<-live red to you/ Mr* Baker saw ro ren^efn tcfNcone'- t down' sirenra in'' gauze of her mantle, ulmost level with ihd horse’s back, swept down across tj;e h^ng table-land like ft ! kim- rning bluojay. A few more bird-iihe dips upymd down the undulations and great gravity and dancing eyes, “that - ;Tte.- omuibiLs rou..d »11i v*a.s’ , v*'ua■ [rs. Baker, v.itlu tlveiTi ame tlie long, cruel aseu.nt of the Divide. Acrid with perspirali%n, caking with dust, sBthering in the slippery impal pable powder t,f therom], groggily *':ig- gering in a red, dusty dream, nigh'ng, snorting, head tossing, becoming sud- denty dejected, with slou hiiig ha inch xnnd limp legs on easy slop. s. or wiully spftjanodic and “agile on sharp accliv ities, Mid Blue LighYidng began to have ideas iindCAJenllectionsl Ah! she was a devil fdr aUgrk—this Irghtty-etinging, caressing, btarhqi'ing,* cooing ereatTire rAMiivYnh>lTe< 1 her now. it worltl be jn - 1 awful if that keerful city clerk found thing-, kir<.der mixed up inside when lie conn s to open it. I wouldn't give him trouble for tlie world, ( barley!” ’“No, ma’ain, it ain’t Idee you.** . ' “So yon‘11 be parlieulariy careful on my ngcoitnt.** “Mrs. Baker,said Cliarley. with infi- r.iU* {rravity. “if llu:t laig sho'idd tumble <d7 a dor.' n tiuies-bv tween this nnd lain- IVrbap* ow - mt t!»o grad# of Um# Laurel Hill w.m iu ; •.he could aTo'.d the t * tho kuiamit . or thalow ing to thu h*u!ti#x it* the ear- .» '—which h.. l to I i.a.L r Che win i Is of ■nvl the Lamspl Rnu j». t >fil,s! h th'* c* 'h haulers c.uot* Irotting up the hid. Mr. HuaiJ w a_. al ready on the plat f »rtn. “Y.*mT» have to ballast your next way- bag, 1 .’’said ('Uatley, gravely, as it * >1 bis i-lut dies once.morv in t!*e »hi t of th • road, “or you’ll have to make a new V-eitrad with tho company c’v.‘ 1 t t- u mi utes in five mdckovcr that W. U , ” Mr. I r r.u-did n.«t-reply, but quickly drag o*d hi • i r’./e i:d > tlie 'lillce, scaree- 1\ n i.* f ’Ir,. 1*r, who stood b,*- sM.-lo.i » ie and breath le s. As tho b It I f th* 11, r wax drawn, nwculing it - eh . % irt.-riTT, Mrs. Baln r gave a little h Ilo i* glanced quickly at her. ct iot! -I tlie bu r t;d*ou the 11 -or and j ' dad i p the br-deen und half tilled m • .‘-y pare'!. *1.4**1 he eoIU*ctcd th.o scattered «*•.'.:.* an l counted them. "It’J j: ! j-? it, Mr.*. L iker# lie sa.d, gravclj", “lie’s safe t.ii,. time!”'' . “I’m • » gla l!” said little Mrs. Baker, with a hyp lentieal gasp. • “So am I,” return- .1 Home, with in creasing gravity as he took the coin, “ibr, from all i have gathered thi» uf- r.. • . ' - ’ -- l«'j / \ v l \\ H)T) the trtg.h. -.r nn :M<1 \ ft r tins of!l irt! was a in I v *'• ,»••!!.- ", and il w t* »*■ as ! ’ that ,.e i . 1 uao . n i her ;■ ' ■ ■ . ' the .1 . . li ' S ■ . : - , ’■ tty ttlsh ; - ' ■ - i. • 1* “lie •r.s d- rt *'» t • * ' , ..-g'n -!!•■.■:’ • (.m t.vith'tiie wire w hen ..v- fling's GOING TO TIrK UTTI.K IKON SAFK TI \t t VOOIV IN TUT. CORNKK. yon.>v As I to!.| you at first, you have n r king'd'" fear liven your thought lessiicss anaHgnoranee of ruleslnis con- r. 1 Hill, i’ll hop down and pick it up* tnyself.” ~. . ~ “Thank you! shake!** I* I They * ho .!< hands gravely aero? > the w indow ledg-'.. “And-you ain’t goin’ down with us. Mrs. Baker/” . “of course, not- it wouMn'l do—for I ain’t here don’txj c»u see?” •“(if course!” Iuiuded him the bag through the sumrniL The eveningstar had just door. NN't -ok it carefully, but i:i spit • pricked Itself through the golden mist < f his gtxgt pTT'suition fell over it ofThe horizon line—<*i,':ht o’el.M'l;! She twice <1 IgNAv. y. to t he road, where Rut k.ere, sIidd-'ilf'/ThcT ‘ Tro’a'c.ert riU'CiteliilliatiOUS and shouts -^lip there! Ha! very well, then suddenly hsming out -I bucking, trotting hard, nn walking oh three hiiir-elf- as onlv a ('aiiiorniuripun rrsng coaUN the invinciTiITtai'xBlqe Bi.gitmng' at hv t stood triumphajitly upon t!ie,,. And, a mb Idt, ; Hditly, rv'gyeatitig 1 f .Ng F ILNj NT J -'W^ ipex “You’Ka Ai mddXp it now’ lirst !h-'U.;J i'-M ize.l li'T. S'!u* knew r.. \our o\yn innocence. 4 . j,, wbjHn (-lie .1 rule I’m- frown deepetu'd and became fixed. 47” AgMu tiny opeia-d t lie others on her !>!» It wax a summary of certain valuable money letters that Ti d nl^earrieil on the route. :ind of'Xvhie-li. th. y hadg.v. u hr' i- in fori H; iv j. *11. d »r a hi*i- 'n! »vt h« *- «.vs .1 i, -i. I,. >w . ire tfi.V. *vh-.t din tj V mean? Her wav- !• k ;k pmi r. < - 1 *. "• C ne-. it ..id; si ..- kt.cw the' nan. -s •>(. c. gv nmn, .. ' , : d. . !’iilt , 1 1., r d.-lr..l:*nn pretty *-df lr Itis eyes on h t h : 1U* i4.«. . 't pihuman on* f< ?!v. “As long as he I01110. w at. seemed * or uir^RrUinab d<K's:i’tmcq.i!c withiiie inside of the bag, I suppose vofNmust, put up v\ ith it,” ho s;. . I, la :u --A.«h i !isj ,re • - : *- t ion t hat the H u-’aoiht. H ill ’ |*osini'as.ler irel i »'d tiie. ttidi. e of the bag to con- vev ids f .* .'c:*- *. ca ‘a. c • * Ikt. It - tribui.ed.to N b Iy *v ill evci* be'vth-g w ist-r for tlux. \Ye d'f i .ot ad vi vti>e ouY aiTuirtt in tlie d **<!• nt N.-t a soul but yourself knows the ng .1 c'/uxe of' my visit here. I-will ! a\o you iA. re'sil-.tnu for uwhilj, »e> as to divei t-any suspicion. ' You wall t-.me, ris usual, this even wig, and Im» Keen by your friends. I wii only l»o here v. lten'thc b;ig arrives, to open it Go d-bv, Mrs j’.aloT; it's a rauty bit of bushn-.ssl but ilT 0.11 in the dav s vv«*rk.' her horse, sh,. knew the t herself but d*d sh»* knu.z the - mnh- ■au, s ie Uliv-V A cold c eren* - >ver her, afid llielK^lit' shivered in a sudieii blast; fight at last, swooping down froniNHic. i;ni i’-i: .'sierras, and p. ■sse.*wrn e g..cll TW tou *ke<B it s emed that a Rka i;i.’. * Table mis-,* chnne*' attend.-d its clcvgtion to the b »v.t. ‘1 hen-Mrs B o. r cam .*• back in to- t h ofii : n.R as flic wl.evjbC rolled away, threw h iiietui' i -tent! v tl! t on* •self ifit > a ci.nir, mve - way for the firs' ’v:i! - st of te^rx. 't hen her hand was grasped xr.ddeNv, w: r 1 V ou!.i licVi-J ■ t .fr.v r i.sT have s: for-Gie • -1. I rv ~r .b i rr:ij, LaN rei eoivn-ss it no« •wn .so:n. ! *’ , Her ‘M-Xf. Tfrt—ti- .M-curgly on it s win, 'NIalf-past eight 'I’lie lights of the settlement were jnat ahcadaif her, tmt sp. to<v w ere the’two -k mpx of tin* waiting t/Ligc before-the ofiieu and hot.’l. - Haply the founging crowd were gathered around the hot<‘l, and she s f..,fste rs ,retreat into;^.—.,, Q* \.,st ofiicc from the andlUeontqf th# plntr ^ , r(l A , s -. .* u- in. tb« jypgleof | 44 s spm s. and .tho. hind only-oct 'p nf-a gooil;l»K»kinlf y**un j 4 feil.rTv witli a ra*J- rtish mtistaohe— tamed towards her w.th m Huso of J xurpii^c. Bat it But it was rfnly Oiir^Tong de>>x?nt to f-rind t!re< iry»n h « lances before her. Hickory Hilj i.Lw, and ‘-fi ■ swept UAvfn She's' :r: '.llo-lu*r f.-et -y- \ nsoilr V.UATKVF.R llAI'-v, • i;:ns.” 1 ternoon. It seems her was nn' Old pioneer' <.f 1/tun I Km, a friend of your hus- b;:nd's. a 1 1 think iujre h>ol than kiiuve!” He was silent for a mom. nt, c'iektng the cNns. again.-t ea h-vrthcr;! . •tlien I * sail, car la s! ■; “likl he get quite a . ay, Mr* B.'ikvr/” * “I r 1 sun* l.dv :. t* know whftt yun’roi taSHr 'abut," said Mrs. Baker, with a NtySir of di, n ty, but a somewhat *»e- “! don't .sv'cwh.y I should I' ve ; ■‘•‘u woi *e, a;iv1, thank (..xi, you’re oatofTf. ’* * ' She h( “Dhu t’ move,*'® he said, with weak, hysteric passion, “Imt li ten to me. for Goil’sxikc! M r.m ruimsl, I know, even f’iionghy >11 Huv - jn; t saved me from de tection a id di ra"0 I hare ,1- en fn; 7 >'i —a J 1, t > <!.» wh:.t I I.tvc dun *. 1 kt >*.v. 1/pt y« n do u t kauw utl—you dob t kn ov vg.v I did it—you cam..-t t!d:;kV} ti • t. 1. a th t lu.x •T.vv a basing, c \v y ho km/’.v anvtrdqg about it, or should go away atoll.” ; *'Well," said MrNHome, l ay ip g hi* hapd gdntly on the widow’s shoulder,, “well, you see, it might liaYe occurred to l.b fiiendx that the coin* 4 w*ero Tn;irk« d! That ir*, no doubt, thcrwMSKl way l;e would take their guoj atlvii bra*'* rf—trrs—t.nrvohin fa -that 4‘..i I have k .-j to > .*<* 1 ?o i ni a du . c. ho iu'LDr uwu L.** 4 aixg i .e v,x.c.a.v ; > (Jut, as I said before. Mrv you're" ft)l right \*hatever , the gureruajeut will slaiul by 1» k T fruKr.MiJ t' J