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i ?tchmnn ano tm KB* SUMTER WATCHMAN, Kttablished April, 1850. flKso?idat?di.u?. 2,1881. "Be Just and J^ear not-Let alllthe Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's." THE TRUE SOUTHRON, Established Jone, 1366 SUMTER, S. C., WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1894. New Series-Yoi. XIII. No. 36. CHAPTER XX. Kenton made ao reply to Steve Bra ton's inquiry, bat the latter noticed look OB the yoting man's face be bi never seen theie before. Tbe Virgini; by adoption bad pursued the coarse i thought was right He had done I duty nuder all circumstances and hi been thoroughly loyal to the eau which be espoused. Those beside who he fought had made every attempt degrade and disgrace him and dri him ont of the service. If he had n enlisted, he would have been called traitor and driven away from his hon with bodily injury. . He had joined tl rasia to be suspected and denounce* As: the case now stood he could not leai the southern cause without being r turned on the rolls as a deserter. If e: changed, he would be put on trial, ar he realized that enough influence con] be brought to bear to further disgra< him. "'Look yere, Yank, what's botheri yo'r head ?" asked Steve after a few mil vtes of silence. "A good many things/' was the n ply. "I've been figgerin a bit Both Caf tain Wy le and the major are now dow on yo'. If yo' ever gita back to th Confederacy, they'll suet yo' up c shoot yo'. Can't yo'see it?" 4It looks that way to me." 'The Yanks may keep us six months and doorin that time thar's goin to b a heap of ?yin about yo' to that gal She'll be told that yo' deserted or mee be that yo' are dead. Yo' kin bet Cap tain Wy le won't let no grass grow un der his feet. I've beam that she wa over in the mountains." "Yes." "And I was told that Captain Wyl and his critter company had bin sen back yere ta help hold the Yankees Can't yo' seer' "Yes, ont I can't act" "Why not? It's comin on dark? an< it's goin to rain. See how the line hai straggled! Them bluecoats hain't go moxe'n one eye open. Tell yo' what inj plan is. Lot's make a dash fur it! Ii hain't over 20 miles to whar yo'r gal is Go'n her. She's powerful level headed, and I reckon she may give yo some good advice. Yo'll hev a show tc explain things anyway, and that will make dough of the captain's cake." "And what about you?" asked Ken? ton. "Waal, I'd just, as lief run up thai with yo'. I ain't jest exactly satisfied about all this thing. Mebbe I'll sur? render to the Yanks agin, and mebbe I'll go back to the company and lei the major pile it on and be hanged tc him! I want a day cr two to think it over. What do yo' say?" "I'm agreed. " replied Kenton after a moment's thought. "That's bizness! Jest about 40 rods down yere I'll give yo* the word. We ons will break for them woods to the right. We'll be fired on and mebbe killed, but we've got to take chances. ?Once we reach the woods we are safe." The afternoon was rapidly fading into ^dusk, and a fine rain hud begun to fall. The cavalrymen were strung out so that there were gaps of several feet between horses, and as the prisoners were sing? ing songs and seemed in good spirits the "vigilance of the captors was naturally relaxed. The wall which inclosed the field on the right suddenly ended, and then came a field which was open be? cause the fencing had been used by sol? diers from one side or the other for their campfires. It was a distance of about *30 rods to the edge of the woods, and vit was likely they would not only be ired on, bnt pursued by some of the troopers. Brayton stepped into the road ahead of Kenton, increased his pace to reach the center of a gap between two horsemen and suddenly threw np bis hand as a signal. Both men were well into the field and running at the top of their speed before an alarm was raised. Three or four of the troopers on that side opened fire with their carbines, but pursuit was prevented by a dozen other prisoners evincing a disposition to alsc make a bolt. Some of tbe half dozen bnllets came unpleasantly near, but not one strnck the fugitives, and in two or three minutes they were safe in the woods. With darkness already a* band, there was no tear of pursuit. "Yank, we uns did that as neat as a b'ar backin down a bee tree!" said Steve as they stopped to recover their breath and shake hands. "And now what?" asked Kenton. "Now for the mountains, ?eckon we'd best put on steam and git out o' this locality as soon as ?)ossible. I know this ground and will lead the way." Stopping to rest for a few minutes every hour or so, the pair held their course for the Allegbanies and about <i o'clock in the morning turned into a ?hick??t among the foothills to rest and ileep. It was still raining, and the Sight was raw and cold, but they crept into the thick boshes and were soon fast asleep. It was 8 o'clock before they opened their eyes and then only because disturbed by a great clatter on the high? way only a few yards distant. Brayton was the first to move forward and make an investigation. He returned in four or five minutes to say: "I can't jest make 'em out. Thar's about a hundred men, and all on crit? ters, and the hull heap are southerners, bot only a few are in oniform. They can't be recruits goin to the army, be? cause they are goin the wrong way." "It may be a Confederate raiding or scouting party, " suggested Kenton. " JieODe BU, UUI) wo uno uuu I? nant nothin to do with 'ern. Hang me if they hain't a bi li on s look in lot!" The fugitives waited for a quarter of an hour after the last hoof beats had died away and then stole out into the highway. The rain had ceased, but it Both men were running at the top of their speed before an alarm teas raised. was a lowering morning, and they were sharp set for breakfast. The log house of a farmer was plain to view a quar? ter of a mile down the road, and they made sure they would find something to eat there. In a few words they agreed on the story they were to tell if ques tioned, and 10 minutes later they were at the door of the house. It was opened to them by the farmer's wife. She was a strong advocate of the southern cause, and the sight of their Confederate uni forms brought a cheerful invitation to enter and sit down to breakfast. . "Don?t you uns belong with that crowd which jest passed up the road?" abe asked as they fell to eating. Steve Brayton took it upon himself to answer in the negative and then asked what crowd it was. "It's Kn rn el Mosby and his gang. They hain't m neb. on the fight, I reckon, but they do pester the Yankees like all git out. Host of 'em are farmers, and some of em live around yere. Whar did you uns cum from?" Steve told ber of the fight with Cus? ter and their escape the night before, and she lifted her hands and cried out: "Then you ans dan seen the Yan? kees?" "Yes'm." "Beg'lar live Yankee sogers?" "Yes'm." "And yo' got away alive?" "Of co'se." "Waal, I wouldn't 'a' believed it! Mrs. Sam Duncan dun tole me them Yankees killed everybody with toma? hawks as soon as they got holt of 'em! Yo' uns must hev bin powerful cute to git away." Breakfast had been finished when there came a knock at the door, and next moment a man in the uniform of a Confederate cavalry sergeant entered the cabin. Be had been sent back by Colonel Mosby, he said, to ask for the loan of a horse and equipments. He used the term "loan." but it was pretty plain that he meant to take no refusal. The woman replied that her husband had set out for Woodstock the night be? fore on horseback, and therefore it was impossible to grant the colonel's re? quest. The sergeant was going away without a word to our two friends, but after reaching his horse he returned and asked: "What command do you fellers be? long to?" "To Captain Wyle's cavalry com? pany," replied Kenten. "Where is it?" "I don't know." "Humph! Whar yo'goin?" "None of yo'r bizness!" answered Steve, who had been roiled by the ser? gent's supercilious airs and lofty tone. "Oh, it hain', eli? Mebbe yo've got a pass in yo'r pocket to allow of yo'r rambling around the kentry? If so, I'll take a look at it." "Yo' hain't big enough!" "What! Now you uns either show a pass, or I'll take yo' along to Kurnel Mosby! He'll mighty soon find out whar yo' belong!" "You see," began Kenton, who, re? alized that it was foolish to arouse the man's anger and suspicion, "we were guarding the stores at Harrisonburg, and'the Federal cavalry came in yes? terday and" "Whar's yo'r pass?" interrupted the sergant. "Whar's yo'rs?" demanded Steve. "Show yo'r pass, or I'll take yo' to the kurnel!" "I should like to explain the case to you," said Kenton, motioning to Steve not to interrupt him. "We are Confed? erate soldiers. We were captured at Harrisonburg by the Federals yesterday forenoon, but escaped at dark last night. Therefore wo have r.o pass and do not need a pass." "Yo' may be all right, and yo' may be a couple of Yankee spies!" replied the sergeant. "If yo' are straight, yo'll come along with me and explain to the kurnel. 'Djed, but yo've got to come, straight or crooked!" He had left his revolver and carbine on the saddle. He started for his hoi S?', but Steve was there before bim. He had stepped softly out while Kenton was explaining and was now in posses? sion of both firearms and a supply of ammunition. Even as the trooper reached the gate Steve gave his horse a slap and sent him galloping away and then turned and asked : "Who'stakin anybody toseethe kur? nel? Sorter 'pears to me that yo've dun stubbed yo'r toe and fell down!" The sergeant very quietly asked what he was going to do, and his manner be? trayed his anxiety. "Goin to git shet of yo' abont tho fast thing!" answered Steve. "Left face! Forward march! Keep goin right down the road till yo' find tbe kurncl and then give him oar love!" The trooper marched away without a backward look, and when he was lost to sight by a turn in the road Kenton said: "Steve, you did a bad thing for us. That whole crowd will be after us in? side of a hour." "Don't holler befo' yo'rhit, Yank!" laughed Steve. " If we uns badn't tooken him, he'd hev tooken ns. and besides that it suddenly occurred to me that we'd got to nev something tosho^twith. Now, then, let's be a-gettin straight up the mountain." CHAPTER XXI. We have made no note of time. A year of war seems to fly more swiftly by than a month of peace. The minutes of war are made up of its dead, its hours of burials, its days of battles, its weeks of campaigns which move a nation, irs months of black figures relating the number of widows and orphans and the tens of millions of dollars expended, its years of despair and desolation crying to heaven. Winter had fallen upon mountain and valley, upon the blackened ruins of once happy homes, upon blood spot and buri? al ground. While things had gone very quietly at Best Haven they had not gone well. Now and then a detachment of Federals or Confederates had galloped past on the stony road, but they had left the family in peace. Letters no longer came and went. The country was in the hands of the Federals, and many of the inhabitants had fled away. The JPercys would have gone before win? ter set in bat for the state of the moth? er's health. They were waiting and hoping that she would so mend that she could be moved, but she did not. One autumn night a party of raiders had taken away the horses, and after that Uncle Ben had to make his- trips on foot as he scoured the country in search of provisions to keep the family going. In spite of the high prices and general scarcity of al! necessaries r-e managed so well that nearly every want was supplied in some way. On two oc? casions beyond the one mentioned Fed? eral reconnoitering parties left supplies at the house, and once Captain Wyle sent a store ol articles which could have only been gathered at considerable cost and trouble. Both sides pitied the unhappy and defenseless situation of the family, which was only one of hun? dreds. The sufferings of the southern women daring the war have found no historian, and the heroism displayed by them in the face of peril and adversity has not gone down to their children on printed pages. Who could write it? Where would he begin or end ? In no epoch of history were mothers, wives and daughters called upon/ for greater sacrifices, nor were sacrifices ever so cheerfully made. Brave, patriotic, en? during, and yet no state or community bas reared a marble shaft on which is engraved the words of praise and com? mendation so justly their due. When Marian became convinced that if Mrs. Baxter had any plan afoot it was to play the spy and forward tb J cause of Captain Wyle, she did not let the matter worry her. A sort of truce was declared between the woman and Uncle Ben, and yet he did not cease t ? suspect and to watch her. He fonn?. out that Ike had been exchanged and had rejoined his company, and on two occasions he had good reasons to believe that the man secretly met her in the neighborhood of the house. Owing to the interruption of the mails, it was only at long intervals that Marian heard fiom Royal Kenton. For a month previous to the battle in which he was captured she had beard no word from him. When news came, it was from Captain Wyle himself on his second visit to the Ha? ven. His company was acting as a guard for a wagon train of forage gath? ered in the valley, and his stay was brief. While his welcome was fairly cordial, he realized that circumstances were not propitious for any approrch to the subject nearest his heart, and he forced himself to be content with gen? eralities. Incidentally, as if the matter was of little or no moment to her, he mentioned the fact of General Jackson having become suspicions of Kenton and suggesting the detail which was made and of his having heard only a day or two before that the Federals had descended on the post and captured the entire Confederate command. What he added was both false and cruel-viz. that it was rumored that Kenton was ! among the Confederate killed. If the captain hoped that Marian j would betray her real feeling, he WP ; j not disappointed. As she received his information every vestige of color fled from her face, and she seemed about to faint. "You-you say it is so rumored?" she gasped. "Only rumored, but" "But you believe the rumor will be confirmed?" "I must say that I do. Mr. Kenton was, I believe, a friend of yours, and of course the news of his death will shock and grieve you. He and I would also have been friends but for his, to say the least, disloyal conduct toward the cause he for some reason best known to him? self espoused." "Captain Wyle, you wrong him, liv- j ing or dead!" exclaimed Marian as she braced herself against the shock caused ; by report of tho rumors. "He enlisted j because ho was imbued with the same I feeling I hope you were-a feeling that j he owed allegiance to Virginia first of ! all." "He has acted very strangely fora j Virginia patriot, I must declare," said the captain. "How strangely?" she demanded as the color began to return to her checks ard her eyes to flash. "Everyone in my company firmly , relieves he joined us that tho Yankees ? night have a spy within our lines." "And who made them believe it? Royal Kenton bas periled his life in che j caus oftener than any man in your j company or regiment! Tell me of one j single instance where an honest, un- ' biased in an could lia ve questioned h:s loyalty!" "Why was he left behind, detailed to guard stores, and that at General Jackson's suggestion?" asked the cap? tain. "You are already possessed of that knowledge!" she scathingly replied. "There has been a conspiracy against him from the very outset, and it is not the fault of the conspirators that he was not assassinated before a battle had been fought!" "Private Kenton, if alive, should feel grateful for such championship!" "It is my duty to champion him! I am his promised wife!" While Captain Wyle felt pretty cer? tain that there was more than friendship between them he had hoped that things had not gone that far. As she stood be? fore him and looked into his eyes and spoke the words which made his heart fall like lead he was dumb for a mo* ment. Her face was set and hard, and he realized that his fate was sealed for-, ever. There was but one thing for him to do, and he did it. Though rage and despair filled his heart, he did not forget the fact that he was a born southerner. It required all his nerve to take his leave gracefully, but he accomplished the feat, and it was only when he was in the saddle that curses passed his lips and his smiles were replaced by wicked frowns. "Southern chivalry" has been held up to ridicule and scorn, but only by the ignorant or by those who had a purpose to accomplish. Chivalry was bom in the heart of the true southerner; it came down to him legitimately in the blood. Now and then he may forget himself in the presence of a man, but never in the presence of a woman. Had all been well at Rest Haven, Ma? rian Percy would have given way to her grief and mourned as women do. But the mother's condition was still regard ed as dangerous, and she must not even suspect the sad blow which had fallen on the daughter. Uncle Ben suspected some calamity from the grief in Ma? rian's face, and from the fact that Mrs. Baxter dodged out and had a word with Captain Wyle at the gate before he rode away. He must have repeated the ca? nard about the death of Kenton, for the woman's face betrayed great satisfac? tion as she returned to the house. There was a smaller house to lodge the "help," but just then Uncle Ben had it all > himself. About an hour after the cap? tain's departure Marian appeared in the old man's quarters to find him cobbling one of his brogans. "Look yere, honey," he began as she entered and before she could say a word, "I knowed when I saw yo' at de doah an hour ago dat suntbin had dun hap? pened. Am de good missus gwine to die, or did dat Captain Wyle say sun thin to make yo' feel bad?" "Uncle Ben, I have heard sorrowful news!" she answered as her tears began "Uncle Ben, I have hcrrrd sorrowful ncwsP' to fall. "Captain Wyle told me he had heard that Mr. Kenton was dead ^killed over at Harrisonburg a day or two ago." "I shall nebberdun believe it!" he exclaimed. "Dat Mare Kenton he doan' write no mo', but dat hain't 'canse he was dead. It's 'cause de possoffis was all turned upside down." "Bat they had a battle a day or two ago, Uncle Ben, and Mr. Kenton was killed then." "Whar was dat battle?" "Near Harrisonburg." "Dat's a right smart step from yere, an we didn't heah de guns. Mebbe dey dun had a battle, but dat doan' disquali? fy dat Mars Kenton was killed. Shoo, now, honey, but doan' yo' believe any sich story!" "But i'm-I'm afraid it's true!" she sobbed, bieaking down at last. "See yere, chile," said the old man after a bit, with tears in his own eyes, "yo' jiss keep quiet till we find out all about it. I'll hev dis shoe fixed in 'bout 10 minutes, an den I'll start fur Harrisonburg. When I git dar, I kin find ont if Mars Kenton was killed." "But it's almost dark now, Uncle Ben." "Makes no difference, honey. I know de road an am feelin purry good. By dis time tomorrer I'll be back wid de news." "But what if you should discover that-that" "Dat Mars Kenton was railly killed? j Nobody can't diskiber what hain't so, | kin dey? I'ze gwine ober dar jest to ? prove dat he wasn't dun killed." "Uncle Ben," said Marian as she placed a hand on either shoulder and looked into his eyes, 'if you can bring i me news that Mr. Kenton is alive, I'll make yon a free man before the week is out!" "Hu! What I want to leave yo' an de missus an becum free nigger fur? Reckon I wants to go to de porehouse or jail? Hain't I allns bin like one o' de family? Could de family git along widout Uncle Ben? Whar would yo' be right now but fur me?" "That's true, Uncle Ben. You were j born on the place, and you know how j much we all think of you. It would | break our hearts to have you go, slave ; though you are and always have been in the eyes of the law. But you shall be rewarded, Uncle Ben. Only bring me good news, and your reward shall be great!" "Hush up dat noise, honey!" he chid? ed as he made ready to depart. "If j yo'll let de ole man Iib right on in de family, dat'll be reward 'naff. I'll be back by foah o'clock tomorrer, and I'll bring yo' de news dat Mars Kenton am all right." Marian watched him as be strode bravely down the frozen highway and vanished into the dusk of evening, and as she turned away fresh tears came to her eyes, and she murmured: "Brave and unselfish old slave! God grant that he may bring a message to relieve my anxieties!" CHAPTER XXII. While Uncle Ben was slowly progress? ing along the frozen and slippery high? way, and when he had reached a point about three miles from Rest Haven, he suddenly encountered about a dozen men, most of whom were mounted. All but one were in citizens' dress, and he at first supposed them to be farmers. They rushed upon the old man with a shout, and pistols and knives were flour? ished before his face as the gang cried oat: . "Hang him up!" "Slice off his ears!" "Build a fire and roast him if he lies tons!" "Fo' de Lawd, gem'len, but what's de matter?" asked the old man as soon as he could get in a word. "We want them two Yankees!" shout? ed three or four men in choras. "W-what Yankees? I nebber dun seen a Yankee sence dat big army*'went by de house on hors'back!" "Yo* lie, yo* old black faced devil!" said the leader as he got off his horse and seized Uncle Ben by the collar. "Now, then, tell ns where they are bid? ing! Don't pretend to ns that yo' have not seen 'em, for we know better! Out with it now, or yo' won't live two min? utes!" "What yo' mean?" asked the old man, who was badly upset over the sud? den attack. "We mean just this: We've been fol? lowing two Yankee spies along the mountain nearly all day. One of them was wounded about an hour ago. They were headed this way, and yo' must have met them and know where they now are. Did they send yo' for a doc? tor?" , "Nebber, sah, nebber! 1 tole yo' de (roof. I nebber did meet up wid nobody sence I started from de house!" "From what house?" "Dat house back dar which b'longs to Missus Percy. Mebbe yo' knowed de Percys of Winchester?" "The Percys, eh? Are you a Percy nigger?" "Yes, sah, an de only one dat's left." "And where were you going?" *. Down to Harrisonburg, sab, to git news 'bout dat battle dey font dar de odder day. I hain't seed a single pus son on de road, an if yo' was to kill me I dun couldn't tell yo' nufhn'bout no Yankees!" They had looked upon it as just a chance that Uncle Ben had encountered tbe men they were after, and their vig? orous measures were intended to fright? en the information out of him. While he was trembling and afraid, his tones satisfied the crowd that he was telling the troth. It wouldn't do to let him down too easily, however. The negroes of the country were breaking over all rules and regulations and traveling about at night to confer with each other and plan escapes to the Federal camps. "Now, then," said the leader of the band, '.yo* have had a powerful close call, and.yo* want to remember it! Nig? gers have no business away from borne after dark. Yo* were probably going to Harrisonburg to give yo'self up to the Yankees, but we'll spoil that little game! This will do yo' aheapof good!" And thereupon, holding Uncle Ben with bis lert hand by a first grip on his collar, he used a rawhide over the old man's back and legs with his right and administered the first whipping of his life. When his arm had grown weary, be stopped and said: "Now, yo* make a beeline for home and don*t stop to rest on the way ! If any other prowling niggers ask yo' about that battle at Harrisonburg, yo' tell him yo' was in it and got licked ! Gee Up! As the old man headed for Rest Ha? ven the gang of men rode in the other direction. He stepped out at a lively pace until hidden by the darkness and then stopped and turned fo shake his fist and whisper: "White man, I'ze only a pore ole nig geri hutt somebody bas got' to bleed fur dis! Nobody ebber put a whip on Uncle Ben befo' sence he was a pickaninny, an I'll kill yo' fur dat as shore as I ebber git de chance!" He at first thought of resuming his journey toward Harrisonburg, but a mo? ment's reflection convinced him that if j he fell into the hands of the same party again his life would be in peril. He re? alized how much disappointed Marian would be. but he would return and re? port and perhaps make a new start, f?e had covered two miles of the backtrack when at a turn in the road a man step? ped out from the rocks at his left and ordered him to halt and added : "Who are yo'?" "Uncle Ben Percy." "What, is that yo,' Uncle Ben?" "Fur shore, but I hain't dun met up wid no ?ankee spies, jess as I told yo' j befo'." "Uncle Ben, don't yo' un know me?" asked the man as he came nearer. "I've talked with yo' many a time in Win- j chester befo' the war. I'm Steve Bray? ton." "Fo' de Lawd! Yes, I 'member yo r | voice! I dan reckoned yo' was some mo' j of dat crowd what was gwine ter kill | me!" "Hev yo' met up with anybody?" "De Lawd furgive me, but I has! j Back dar 'bout two miles a gang o' j white men stopped me an war gwine to j shute mo dead an cat my froat! Dey : said I had sawn some Yankee spies, an bekase I dun hadn't seen nobody 'tall [ dey giv me de moas' powerful lickin on j airth!" "Yankee spies?" queried Steve. "Ah, I understand! And are yo' with the Percy fam'ly, Uncle Ben?" "Fur shore." "Do they uns live nigh yere?" " 'Bout a mile away, sah." "Arid "whar war yo" g?in when yo' met np with that crowd?" "I'd dan started far Harrisonburg to git news 'boat dat big battle. Dat Cap'an Wyle he waa long yere tocay an told Miss Sunshine dat Mars Kentun was killed ober dar!" "He did?" "Yes, sah, an den Miss Sunshine cum out to me wid her face as white as snow an tears in her eyes an a big lump in her froat, aa wheo I seed how powerful she felt I dan said I weald go an find out dat Mars Kenton was all right." "See yere, Uncle Ben, I've got snn thin to tell yo'!" said Brayton as he drew him out of the road. "Mars Ken? ton is np yere among the rocks and bresh!" "Fo' de Lawd!" "That gang was after the two of cs, though we are not Yankee spies. Mars Kenton was badly wounded jest befo' dark, and I had to cai ry he un on my back fur a couple of miles. Uncle Ben, yo' must go to the house and git blan? kets and bandages and sunthin fnr us to eat. Yo' must also bring that gal yere, but not tonight. Tomorrer will do far her, bat we mast bev the other things tonight." "Fui de lav. of heaben, but how yo' do talk!" gasped the old man. "Den Mars Kenton he wasn't killed at Har? risonburg?" 'kNo>" "And. be don got shot irvin to git ober yere today?" "Yes. Is Ike Baxter's wife at the houser" "Her am, an she dun jest bates Mars Kenton." "Then yo' must be keerful. Try and see the gal alone. Tell hez she must send the things tonight, but not to come herself till tomorrer. Go now as fast as yo' kin. I'll be waitin fur yo' right yere on this spot. Hold on a minit. Hev yo' got a gun at the honse?" "Yes, a double bar Vd shotgun." "Then bring it back with yo', and powder and shot and caps. If we hev a foot yere, it will be at clus range, and buckshot will be better'n bullets." "Fo' de L?wd!" muttered the old man as he set off at his best pace. "Dat Cap'an Wyle be lie to Miss Sunshine. Den Miss Sunshine wants me to go to Harrisonburg. Deni meet up wid some gorillas an git switched till I smart like pepper. Den I start fur home an meet dat Steve Brayton an find ont dat Mars Kenton hain't dead but hurted, an de Lawd only knows what's gwine to hap? pen tomorrer!" The invalid mother had fallen into a light sleep, and Marian sat thinking. She and Mrs. Baxter had taken turns at watching with the sick, and this was her night, while the other had gone to the help's quarters. Uncle Ben need not have been cautioned about Mrs. Bax? ter, as he felt that he thoroughly under? stood her disposition. He terned off the road to approach the house from another direction, and so softly did he draw near that the first warning Marian had of his presence was a tapping on the window pane. He pressed his old black The first warning Mortem had of his pres? ence was a tapping on the window. face against the glass that she might know who was there, and a moment later she stood outside the door with a t shawl thrown over ber head. "You are back, Uncle Ben-what's the matter?" she asked. (TO BE CONTINUED. ] Burning Pa?n Erysipelas in Face and Eyes Inflammation Subdued and Tor* tures Ended by Hood's. **1 am so glad to he relieved of my tortures that I am willing to tell the benefits I have de? rived from Hood's Sarsaparilla. In April and May, I was afflicted with erysipelas In my face and eyes, which spread to my throat and neck. I tried divers ointments and alteratives, but there was no permanent abatement of the burn? ing, torturing pain, peculiar to this complaint. I began to take Hood's Sarsaparilla and Felt Marked Relief before I bad finished the first bottle. I con? tinued to Improve until, when I bad taken foot HOOD'S Sarsaparilla CURES bottles, I was completely cured, and felt that all signs, marks and symptoms of that dire com Slaint had forever vanished." MRS. E. E. TTAWA, Hillsboro, "Wisconsin. Hood's Pills are prompt and efficient, yet easy in action. Sold by all druggists. 25c.