diff options
Diffstat (limited to '13933-h/13933-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | 13933-h/13933-h.htm | 10624 |
1 files changed, 10624 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/13933-h/13933-h.htm b/13933-h/13933-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0cd6799 --- /dev/null +++ b/13933-h/13933-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10624 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of In Old Kentucky, by Edward Marshall and Charles T. Dazey</title> + <style type="text/css"> + /*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ + <!-- + P { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + text-indent: 2%; + } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 {text-align: center; /* all headings centered */} + HR { width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + BODY { background:#ffffff; + color:black; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + font-size:1.1em; + margin-top:100px; + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align:justify} + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .note {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */ + .blkquot {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */ + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 1em; font-size: smaller; float: right; clear: right;} + .fontnorm {font-size:1.1em} + hr.full { width: 100%; + height: 5px; } + a:link {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:#ff0000} + pre {font-size: 8pt;} + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13933 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, In Old Kentucky, by Edward Marshall and +Charles T. Dazey, Illustrated by Clarence Rowe</h1> +<hr class="full" noshade> + + <a name="Illus_1"></a> + + <center> + <a href="images/Illus_1.jpg"><img src="images/Illus_1.jpg" + alt= + "<i> Frontispiece</i> She saw the stranger break through the undergrowth" + width="40%"></a> + + <h4><i>Frontispiece</i>: She saw the stranger break through + the<br> + undergrowth about the pool.</h4> + </center><br> + <br> + <br> + + + <h1>IN OLD KENTUCKY</h1><br> + + + <h3>A Story of the Bluegrass and the Mountains<br> + Founded On Charles T. Dazey's Play</h3> + + <h4>By</h4> + + <h2>EDWARD MARSHALL and CHARLES T. DAZEY</h2><br> + + + <h4>Illustrations By CLARENCE ROWE</h4><br> + + <h5>1910</h5><br> + <br> + <br> + <center><hr></center> + <br> +<br> + + + <h2>CONTENTS<br></h2><br> + + <h3>Chapter: [<a href= + "#CHAPTER_I"> I </a>] [<a href= + "#CHAPTER_II"> II </a>] [<a href= + "#CHAPTER_III"> III </a>] [<a href= + "#CHAPTER_IV"> IV </a>] [<a href= + "#CHAPTER_V"> V </a>] [<a href= + "#CHAPTER_VI"> VI </a>] [<a href= + "#CHAPTER_VII"> VII </a>] [<a href= + "#CHAPTER_VIII"> VIII </a>] [<a href= + "#CHAPTER_IX"> IX </a>] [<a href= + "#CHAPTER_X"> X </a>]<br> + <br> + [<a href="#CHAPTER_XI"> XI </a>] + [<a href="#CHAPTER_XII"> XII </a>] + [<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"> XIII </a>] + [<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"> XIV </a>] + [<a href="#CHAPTER_XV"> XV </a>] + [<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"> XVI </a>] + [<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"> XVII </a>] + [<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"> XVIII </a>] + [<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"> XIX </a>]<br></h3><br> + <br> + + + <h2>ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> + + <center> + <table> + <tr> + <td><a href="#Illus_1"><span class="fontnorm">She + saw the stranger break through the undergrowth + about the pool.</span></a></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td><a href="#Illus_2"><span class="fontnorm">A + mighty leap had carried them beyond the blazing + barrier.</span></a></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td><a href="#Illus_3"><span class="fontnorm">"No + man can cross this bridge, + unless—unless—"</span></a></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td><a href="#Illus_4"><span class= + "fontnorm">"Back! back! I'm a-comin' with Queen + Bess!"</span></a></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td><a href="#Illus_5"><span class="fontnorm">"I'm + standin' face to face with my own father's + murderer—Lem Lindsay."</span></a></td> + </tr> + </table> + </center><br> + <br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <br> + <a name="IN_OLD_KENTUCKY"></a> + + <h2>IN OLD KENTUCKY</h2><br> + <br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_I"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER I.</h2><br> + + + <p>She was coming, singing, down the side of Nebo + Mountain—"Old Nebo"—mounted on an ox. Sun-kissed + and rich her coloring; her flowing hair was like spun light; + her arms, bare to the elbows and above, might have been the + models to drive a sculptor to despair, as their muscles played + like pulsing liquid beneath the tinted, velvet skin of wrists + and forearms; her short skirt bared her shapely legs above the + ankles half-way to the knees; her feet, never pinched by shoes + and now quite bare, slender, graceful, patrician in their + modelling, in strong contrast to the linsey-woolsey of her gown + and rough surroundings, were as dainty as a dancing girl's in + ancient Athens.</p> + + <p>The ox, less stolid than is common with his kind, doubtless + because of ease of life, swung down the rocky path at a good + gait, now and then swaying his head from side to side to nip + the tender shoots of freshly leaving laurel. She + sang:</p><span style="margin-left: 3em;">"Woodpecker pecked as + a woodpecker will,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 3em;">Jim thought 'twas a knock on + the door of the still,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 3em;">He grabbed up his gun, and he + went for to see,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 3em;">The woodpecker laughed as he + said: 'Jest me!'"</span><br> + + + <p>She laughed, now, not at the song, which was purely + automatic, but in sheer joy of living on that wonderful June + day in those marvellous Kentucky mountains. Their loneliness + did not depress her; indeed, to her, they were not lonely, but + peopled by a host of lifelong friends who had greeted her at + birth, and would, she had every reason to suppose, speed her + when her end came. Their majesty did not overwhelm her, + although she felt it keenly, and respected it and loved it with + a certain dear, familiar awe. And everywhere about her was the + Spring. Laurel blossomed at the trail's sides, filling the + whole air with fragrance; the tardier blueberry bushes crowding + low about it had begun to show the light green of their + bursting buds; young ferns were pushing through the coverlet of + last autumn's leaves which had kept them snug against the + winter's cold, and were beginning to uncurl their delicate and + wondrous spirals; maple and beech were showing their new + leaves. The air was full of bird-notes—the plaintively + pleading or exultantly triumphant cries of the mating season's + joy and passion. Filmy clouds, like scattered, snowy ostrich + plumes, floated, far, far up above her on a sea of richest + blue; a fainter blue of springtime haze dimmed the depths of + the great valley which a wide pass gave her vision of off to + the left—and she was rather glad of this, for the haze, + while, certainly, it hid from her much beauty, also hid the + ugly scars which man was making there on nature's face, the + cuts and gashes with which the builders of the new railway were + marring the rich pasture lands.</p> + + <p>She turned from this to pleasanter and wilder prospects, + close at hand, as her path narrowed, and began to sing again in + sheer joyousness of spirit.</p><span style= + "margin-left: 3em;">"Mr. Woodpecker laughed as a woodpecker + will,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 3em;">As Jim stood lookin' out of the + door of the still,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 3em;">'Mr. Jim,' he remarked, 'I have + come for to ax</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 3em;"><i>Ef</i> you'd give me a worm + for my revenue tax'!"</span><br> + + + <p>The placid ox, plodding slowly down the trail, did not + swerve when the bushes parted suddenly at one side, as she + finished this verse of her song, but Madge Brierly looked about + with a quick alertness. The sound of the rustling leaves and + crackling twigs might mean a friend's approach, they might mean + the coming of one of the very enemies whom the song had hinted + at so lightly, but against whom all the people of the mountains + keep perpetual watch, they might even mean a panther, hungry + after his short rations of the winter and recklessly determined + on a meal at any cost.</p> + + <p>But it was Joe Lorey's face which greeted her as she + abruptly turned to see. His coon-skin cap, his jerkin and + trousers of faded blue-jeans, his high, rusty boots matched + perfectly with his primitive environments. As he appeared only + the old-fashioned Winchester, which he carried cradled in his + crooked elbow, spoke of the Nineteenth century. His face, + though handsome in a crudely modelled way, had been + weather-beaten into a rough, semi-fierceness by the storms + through which he had watched the mountain-passes during the + long winter for the raiders who were ever on his trail. The + slightly reddened lids of his dark, restless eyes, told of long + nights during which the rising fumes of moonshine whisky + stealthily brewing in his furtive still, cave-hidden, had made + them smart and sting. Even as, smilingly, he came up to the + strangely mounted maid, there was on his face the strong trace + of that hunted look which furtive consciousness of continual + and unrelenting pursuit gives to the lawbreaker—even to + the lawbreaker who believes the laws he breaks are wrong and to + be violated without sin and righteously.</p> + + <p>"That you, Joe?" said the girl. "You skeered me."</p> + + <p>"Did I?" he replied, grinning broadly. "Didn't plan to."</p> + + <p>From far below there came the crash of bursting powder. + Quick and lithe as a panther the man whirled, ready with his + rifle. The girl laughed.</p> + + <p>"Nothin' but the railroad blastin' down there in the + valley," she said with amusement. "Ain't you uset to that, + yet?"</p> + + <p>"No," said he, "I ain't—an' never will be."</p> + + <p>His tone was definitely bitter. Never were the "sounds of + progress more ungraciously received than there among the + mountains by the folk who had, hedged in by their fastnesses, + become almost a race apart, ignorant of the outside world's + progressions and distrustful and suspicious of them.</p> + + <p>"Where you goin', Madge?" he asked, plodding on beside the + lurching ox.</p> + + <p>"I ain't tellin'," she said briefly. "But you can go part + ways—you can go fur as th' pasture bars."</p> + + <p>"Why can't I go as fur as you go?"</p> + + <p>"Because," said she, and laughed. "I reckon maybe that th' + water's started to warm up down in the pool, ain't it?" she + cried, and laughed again.</p> + + <p>"Oh!" said he, a bit abashed, and evidently + understanding.</p> + + <p>They did not pursue the subject.</p> + + <p>"What you got there?" he inquired, a few moments later, as + they were approaching the old pasture. He pointed to a package + carefully wrapped in a clean apron, which she hugged beneath + her arm.</p> + + <p>"Spellin' book," said Madge, as, just before the bars she + slid down from her perch upon the ox. "I'm learnin'."</p> + + <p>His lip curled with the mountaineer's contempt for books and + all they have to teach.</p> + + <p>"What you want to <i>learn</i> for?"</p> + + <p>He had gently shouldered her aside as she had stooped to + raise the bars back to position, and, with a certain crude + gallantry, had done the task himself.</p> + + <p>"Bleeged," she said briefly, and then, standing with one + brown and rounded arm upon the topmost rail, paused in + consideration of an answer to his question.</p> + + <p>The ox stopped, dully, close within the closed gap in the + rough fence. She went closer to him and patted his side kindly. + "Go on, old Buck," she said. "I'm through with you for quite a + while. Go on and have some fun or rest, whichever you like + best. You certainly can stand a lot of rest! And here is new + spring grass, Buck. I should think you would be crazy to git at + it."</p> + + <p>As if he understood, the old ox turned away, and, slowly, + with careful searching for the newest and the tenderest of the + forage blades which had pushed up to meet the pleasant + sunshine, showed he was well fed at all times.</p> + + <p>"What do I want to learn for?" the girl repeated, returning + to Joe's question. "Why—why—I don't know, exactly. + There's a longin' stirrin' in me.</p> + + <p>"While you was over yon" (she waved her hand in a broad + sweep to indicate the mountain's other side). "I had to go down + into town after—after quite a lot of things." She looked + at him somewhat furtively, as if she feared this statement + might give rise to some unwelcome questioning, but it did not. + "I saw what queer things they are doin'—th' men that work + there on that railroad buildin'. Wonderful things, lots of 'em, + and the bed-rock of 'em all was learnin'. I watched a gang of + 'em for near plum half a day. There wasn't a thing they did + that they didn't first read from a sheet of paper about. If + they hadn't had them sheets and if they couldn't read what had + been written on 'em, why, they couldn't never <i>build</i> no + railroad. And not only that—they got all kinds of comfort + out of it. They have their books that tell 'em what other men + have done before 'em, they have their newspapers that tell + 'em—<i>everyday</i>, Joe—what other men are doin', + everywhere, fur as th' earth is spread.</p> + + <p>"They <i>know</i> things, them men do, and they're heaps + happier because of it." She paused, leaning on the old worn + fence.</p> + + <p>"An' their wimmen knows things," she went on. "I'm goin' to, + too. It's th' greatest comfort that they've got. I'm goin' to + <i>have</i> that comfort, Joe!"</p> + + <p>She patted the new spelling book as if it were a precious + thing.</p> + + <p>"I'm goin' to have that comfort," she continued. "I'm goin' + to know th' ins an' outs o' readin' an'" (she sighed and paused + a second, as if this next seemed more appalling) "an' of + writin'. Dellaw! That's hard! All sorts of curves an' twists + an' ups an' downs an' things, an' ev'ry one means + somethin'!"</p> + + <p>Joe looked at her, half in admiration, half in apprehension. + "You goin' to git too good fer these here mountings?" he + inquired.</p> + + <p>She gazed about her with a little intake of the breath, a + little sign of ecstasy, of her appreciation of the wondrous + view.</p> + + <p>"Too good for these here mountings?" she said thoughtfully. + "Learnin' couldn't make me that! It might show me how to love + 'em more. Nothin' in th' world, Joe, could make me love 'em + less!"</p> + + <p>He became more definite, a bit insistent. It had been plain, + for long, that it had required some self-control for him to + walk as he had walked, close by her side, without some + demonstration of his admiration for her, to stand there with + her at the bars without some sign that in her presence he found + happiness much greater than he had ever known, could ever know, + elsewhere.</p> + + <p>"You goin' to git too good fer—me?" he asked.</p> + + <p>She turned toward him impulsively. Great friendship shone + frankly in her fine eyes. On her face was that expression of + complete and understanding comradery which one child chum may + show another. Almost she said as much of him as she had said of + the surrounding mountains, but there was that upon his face + which stopped her. It was too plain that friendship was not + what he wanted, would not satisfy him. There was a hungry + yearning in his eyes, mute, respectful, worshipful, not for + comradery, but for a closer tie. She had watched this grow in + him within the recent months, with worry and regret. It seemed + to her a tragedy that their old friendship should ever prove + inadequate.</p> + + <p>"No," she answered gently, "I shall never get too good for + you, Joe—for any of my friends."</p> + + <p>He looked, almost with aversion, at the book she held so + closely. He distrusted books. Instinctively he felt them to be + enemies.</p> + + <p>"If you get them there ideas about learnin', an' all that, + you will!" he gruffly said. "Leastways you'll be goin' off, + some day an' leavin' us—me, the mountings an'—an' + all yer friends up here."</p> + + <p>An expression of great earnestness, of almost fierce + intensity grew in his face. "Madge," he said, "Madge Brierly, + you're makin' a mistake! You're plannin' things to take you off + from here; you're plannin' things to make you suffer, later on. + You're gettin' bluegrass notions, an' bluegrass notions never + did no mounting-born no good." He stepped closer to her.</p> + + <p>The latent fires in his approaching eyes were warning for + her and she stepped back hastily. "Joe Lorey, you behave + yourself!" said she. "I—"</p> + + <p>"Can't ye see I love ye, Madge?" he asked, and then the + fires died down, leaving in his eyes the pleading, worried look + alone. "Why, Madge, I—"</p> + + <p>She tried to make a joke of it. "Joe Lorey," she said, + laughing, "I reckon you're <i>plum</i> crazy. An' you ain't + givin' me a chance to do what 'twas that I come down for."</p> + + <p>"But—"</p> + + <p>"I ain't goin' to listen to another word, to-day," said she, + and waved him off.</p> + + <p>He went obediently, but slowly and unhappily, his rifle + snuggling in the crook of his left elbow, his heavy boots + finding firm footing in the rough and rocky trail as if by + instinct of their own, without assistance from his brain. A + "revenuer," coming up, just then, to bother him about his still + and its unlawful product of raw whisky, would have met small + mercy at his hands. He would have been a bad man, then, to + quarrel with. His temper would have flared at slightest + provocation. He would not let it flare at her; but, unseeing + any of the beauties which so vividly appealed to her, the + bitter foretaste of defeat was in his heart; and in his soul + was fierce revolt and disappointment. He had not the slightest + thought, however, of accepting this defeat as final.</p> + + <p>Madge watched him go with a look of keen distress upon her + fresh and beautiful young face. She must not let him say what + he had almost said, for she shrank from the thought of wounding + him with the answer she felt in her heart that she would have + to make. He had slouched off, half-way down the trail and out + of sight, before she put the thoughts of the unpleasant + situation from her mind and turned again to the great matter + which had brought her there, that day.</p> + + <p>With a last glance at the gap in the rail fence, to make + sure that it had been carefully replaced, so that there could + be no danger of finding her ox gone when she returned, she + started down the mountain, by a path different from that which + Joe had taken.</p> + + <p>She had not gone very far, when, from a clump of bunch-grass + just in front of her, only partly, yet, renewed by the new + season, a hare hopped awkwardly, endeavoring to make off. Its + progress was one-sided, difficult.</p> + + <p>Instantly she saw that it was wounded and with a little cry + she ran toward it and caught it. Instinctively the tiny animal + seemed to recognize her as a friend and ceased to struggle. One + of its fore legs had been broken, as she quickly saw.</p> + + <p>With a little exclamation of compassion, she sat down upon a + hummock, tore from her skirt a bit of cloth, found, on the + ground, two twigs, made of these crude materials rude splints + and bandages, bound the wounded creature, and sent it on its + painful way again. She sighed as, after having watched it for a + moment, she arose.</p> + + <p>"Pears like us human bein's always was a-hurtin' somethin'," + she soliloquized, distressed. "Thar some chap has left that + rabbit in misery behind him, and here I've sent Joe Lorey down + the mountain with a worse hurt than it's got." She sighed. "It + certain air a funny world!" she said.</p> + + <p>The subject of the wounded rabbit did not leave her mind + until she had clambered down the rocky path half-way to the + small stream which she sought below. She was ever ready with + compassion for the suffering, especially for dumb and helpless + suffering animals, and, besides, the episode had puzzled her. + Who was there in those mountains who would <i>wound</i> a + rabbit? Joe might have shot one, as might any other of the + mountain dwellers who chanced to take a sudden fancy for a + rabbit stew for supper, but Joe nor any of the other natives + would have left it wounded and in suffering behind him. Too + sure their markmanship, too careful their use of ammunition, + for such a happening as that. Trained in the logic of the + woods, the presence of the little suffering animal was a proof + to her that strangers were about. The people of the mountains + regard all strangers with suspicion. Half-a-dozen times she + stopped to listen, half-a-dozen times she started on again + without having heard an alien sound. Once, from the far + distance, she did catch a faint metallic clinking, as of the + striking of a hammer against rock, but it occurred once only, + and she finally attributed it to the mysterious doings of the + railroad people in the valley.</p> + + <p>Down the path she sped, now, rapidly and eagerly. It was + plain that something which she planned to do when she reached + her destination filled her with anticipation of delight, for + her red lips parted in a smile of expectation as charming as a + little child's, her breath came in eager pantings not due + wholly to the mere exertion of the rapid downward climb. When, + beyond a sudden turn in the rude trail, she suddenly saw spread + before her the smooth waters of a pool, formed by the creek in + a hill-pocket, she cried aloud with pleasure.</p> + + <p>"Ah," said she. "Ah! Now here we be!"</p> + + <p>But it was not at this first pool she stopped. Leaving the + path she skirted its soft edge, instead, and, after having + passed down stream some twenty yards or more, pushed her + skilled way between the little trees of a dense thicket and + into a dim, shadowy woods chamber on beyond, where lay another + pool, velvety, en-dusked, save for the flicker of the sunlight + through dense foliage.</p> + + <p>Here her delight was boundless. She ran forward with the + eagerness of a thirsty bird, and, leaning on the bank, + supported by bent arms, bent down and drank with keenest relish + of the cool spring waters gathered in the "cove," then dabbled + her brown slender fingers in the shining depths, watching, with + a smile, concentric, widening ripples as they hurried out + across the glassy surface, to the ferned bank beyond. A few + yards away a hidden cascade murmured musically. Through the + sparse and tender foliage of spring above her, the sunlight + flickered in bright, moving patches of golden brilliance, + falling on the breast of her rough, homespun gown, like + decorations given by a fairy queen. Around the water's edges + budding plants and deep-hued mosses made a border lovely + everywhere, and for long spaces deep and soft as velvet pile. A + thrush called softly from the forest depths behind her. From + the other side his mate replied in a soft twittering that told + of love and confidence and comfort. A squirrel scampered up the + trunk of a young beech, near by, and sat in the first crotch to + look down at her, chattering. A light breeze sighed among the + branches, swaying them in languorous rhythm, rustling them in + soft and ceaseless whisperings.</p> + + <p>All these familiar, pleasant sights and sounds delighted + her. During the long winter she had been shut away from this, + her favorite spot among the many lovely bits of wilderness + about her, and now its every detail filled her with a fresh and + keen delight. She looked and listened greedily, as happy as a + city child, seated, for the first time in a space of months, + before a brightly lighted stage to watch a pantomime. A dozen + times she ran with little, bird-like cries to bend above some + opening wild-flower, a space she spent in watching two intently + busy king-birds, already fashioning their nest. Another + squirrel charmed her beyond measure by sitting, for a moment, + on a limb to gaze at her in bright-eyed curiosity, and then, + with a swift run down the trunk, quite near to her, as if + entirely satisfied that he saw in her a certain friend, + scuttling to the water's edge for drink. She had never seen a + squirrel drink before—few people have—and she + stood, as motionless as might a maid of marble, watching him, + until, having had his fill, he gave his tail a saucy flirt and + darted back to his beech fortress, to sit again upon his limb + and chatter gossip at her.</p> + + <p>After he had gone back to his tree she looked carefully + about her. It now became apparent that she had come there to + the pool for some especial purpose and that she wished to be + quite sure of privacy before she put it into execution, for she + went first to the path by which she had descended, there to + listen long, intently, then, with a lithe spring where the + brook narrowed at the pool's mouth, to the other side, where, + at some distance in the forest, by another woods-path's edge, + she stood again, intent and harkening.</p> + + <p>Apparently quite satisfied that so far as human beings went + her solitude was quite complete, she returned, now, to the + pool's edge and stood gazing down upon its polished surface. + Soon she dipped the toe of one brown, slender foot into it, + evidently prepared to draw back hastily in case of too low + temperature, but tempted, when she found the water warm, she + gently thrust the whole foot in, and then, gathering her skirt + daintily up to her knees, actually stepped into the water, + wading with little shrill screams of delight.</p> + + <p>For a moment she stood poised there, both hands busy with + her skirt, which was pulled back tight against her knees. Then, + after another hasty glance around, she sprang out upon the bank + with a quick gesture of determination, and, close by the + thicket's edge, disrobed entirely and came back to the water as + lovely as the dream of any ancient sculptor, as alluring as the + finest fancy of the greatest painter who has ever touched a + brush.</p> + + <p>Slim, graceful, sinuous, utterly unconscious of her + loveliness, but palpitating with the sensuous joy of living, + she might have been a wood nymph, issuing vivid, vital, from + the fancy of a mediaeval poet. The sunlight flecked her + beautiful young body with fluttering patches as of palpitant + gold leaf. The crystal water splashed in answer to the play of + her lithe limbs and fell about her as in showers of diamonds. + Flowers and ferns upon the pool's edge, caught by the little + waves of overflow, her sport sent shoreward, bowed to her as in + a merry homage to her grace, her fitness for the spot and for + the sport to which she now abandoned herself utterly, plunging + gaily into the deepest waters of the basin. From side to side + of its narrow depths she sped rapidly, the blue-white of the + spring water showing her lithe limbs in perfect grace of motion + made mystically indefinite and shimmering by refraction through + the little rippling waves her progress raised. She raced and + strained, from the pure love of effort, as if a stake of + magnitude depended on her speed.</p> + + <p>Then, suddenly, this fever for fast movement left her and + she slowed to languorous movement, no less lovely.</p> + + <p>The trout, which had been frightened into hiding by the + splashing of her early progress, came timidly, again, from + their dim lurking places, to eye this new companion of the bath + with less distrust, more curiosity. With sinuous stroke, so + slow it scarcely made a ripple, so strong it sent her steadily + and firmly on her zig-zag way, she swam, now, back and forth, + around about, from side to side and end to end in the deep + pool, with keen enjoyment, each movement a new loveliness, each + second bringing to her fascinating face some new expression of + delight and satisfaction. Behind her streamed her flowing hair, + unbound and free to ripple, fan-like, on the water; before her + dainty chin a little wave progressed, unbreaking, running back + on either hand beside her, V-shaped. Her hands rose in the + water, caught it in cupped palms and pushed it down and + backward with the splashless pulsing thrust of the truly expert + swimmer.</p> + + <p>Only the warm blood of perfect health could have endured the + temperature of that shaded mountain pool so long, and soon even + she felt its chill gripping her young muscles, and, as + unconscious of her wholly revealed loveliness as any nymph of + old mythology, scrambled from the water to the bank and stood + there where a shaft of comfortable sunshine found its welcome + way through rifted foliage above. To this she turned first one + bare shoulder, then the other, with as evident a sensuous + delight as she had shown when the cool water first closed over + her. Then, throwing back her head, she stood full in the + brilliance, and, inhaling deeply, let the sunlight fall upon + the loveliness of her young chest. The delight of this was far + too great for voiceless pleasure, and her deep, rich laughter + rippled out as liquid and as musical as the tones of the tiny + waterfall above the pool. She raised a knee and then the other + to let the vitalizing sunlight fall upon them; then, with head + drooped forward on her breast, stood with her sturdy but + delicious shoulders in its shining path. Her happiness was + perfect and she smiled continually, even when she was not + giving vent to audible expressions of enjoyment.</p> + + <p>Suddenly, however, this idyllic scene was interrupted. In + the woods she heard the crashing of an awkward footstep and a + muttered word or two in a strange voice, as might come from a + lowlander whose face has suffered from the sting of a + back-snapping branch.</p> + + <p>For an instant she poised, frightened, on the bank. The + intruder's crashing progress was bringing him, as her ears + plainly told her, steadily in her direction. Panic-stricken, + for a moment, she crouched, hugging her bare limbs in an + ecstasy of fear. To get her clothes and put them on before he + reached the pool would be impossible, a hasty glance about her + showed no cover thick enough to flee to.</p> + + <p>One concealment only offered perfect hiding—the very + pool from which she had so recently emerged. She poised to slip + again into the water noiselessly and then caught sight of her + disordered clothing on the bank. To leave it there would as + certainly reveal her presence as to remain on the bank herself! + Hastily she gathered it and the new spelling book into her + arms, and, with not ten seconds of spare time to find the cover + which she so desperately needed, endeavored to slip quietly + into the pool again.</p> + + <p>Her certainty of movement failed her, this time, though, and + one foot slipped. Into the pool she went, half-falling, and + with a splash which, she was certain, would be audible a + hundred yards away. Terrified anew by this, she dived quickly + to the bottom of the pool and with all a trout's agility and + fearlessness, her clothing and beloved book clasped tight + against her bosom by her crooked left arm, her right arm + sending her with rapid strokes, when she was quite submerged, + the full length of the pool to its far end. There a fallen + tree, relic of some woodland tempest of years gone by, extended + quite from bank to bank, moss-covered, half hidden by small + rushes and a little group of other water-plants. She dived + beneath this log with the last atom of endurance she possessed + and rose, perforce, upon the other side, stifling her gasps, + but drawing in the air in long, luxurious breathings. With her + mouth not more than half-an-inch above the water and her feet + upon hard bottom, she crouched there, watching through the + screen of plants, her clothes and book still pressed against + her breast.</p> + + <p>As she peered across the log between the rushes, she saw the + stranger, with a wary step, break through the undergrowth about + the pool—cautiously, expectantly. The water heaved a bit + about her chin, for her hidden chest was palpitating with the + short, sharp intakes of a chuckling laughter.</p> + + <p>"Thought I were a b'ar, most likely!" she thought merrily, + quite certain of the safety of her hiding place. "Some + furriner." All strangers, in the mountains, are spoken of as + "foreigners" and regarded with a hundred times the wonder and + distrust shown in cities to the native of far lands, + remote.</p> + + <p>Her guess was shrewd. The stranger had plainly been + attracted by the sounds of her delighted splashing and had + hurried up with rifle ready for a shot at some big game. Now he + stood upon the granite edges of the pool, disappointed even in + his instinctive search for footprints, with only the slowly + widening circles left upon the surface by her hurried flight to + show him that he had not wholly been mistaken in his thought + that something most unusual had recently occurred there in the + "cove." Eagerly his disappointed glance roved around the + circling thicket—nowhere did it see a sign. When it + neared the place of her concealment the hidden girl ducked, + softly, making no undue commotion in the swiftly running water + at the pool's outlet, and the searching glance passed on, quite + unsuspecting, before her breath failed and her head emerged + again.</p> + + <p>"Confound it!" the deeply disappointed youth exclaimed. "I + was dead certain I heard something. I <i>did</i> hear + something, too." He sighed. "But it is gone, now."</p> + + <p>At length he turned away in a bad temper, and presently she + heard him crashing awkwardly through brush and brake, + departing.</p> + + <p>Shivering from her long submersion in the gelid waters of + the mountain stream, she cautiously emerged, struggling between + light-hearted laughter at the comedy of her escape and rueful + worry about the fact that she was not only deeply chilled but + had no clothes which were not wet. Her soaked spelling-book, + also, gave her much concern. Before she spread her clothing out + in the sparse sunlight, she took the dripping volume to the + warmest little patch of brilliance on any of the rocks + surrounding, and, as she opened its leaves to catch the + sunshine, examined it with loving solicitude to find how badly + it was damaged.</p> + + <p>"Fast color," she said happily, looking at the mighty + letters of its coarse black print. "Ain't faded none, nor run, + a mite." This plainly give her great relief. Deftly she turned + each leaf, using the extremest care to avoid tearing them, + handling them with loving touch. Between them she laid little + pine cones, so that air might circulate among them and assist + the process of their drying. Then, having wrung her clothing + till her strong, brown, slender wrists ached, she spread that + out in turn, but on less favored rocks, and, as her feeling of + security increased, fell into an unconscious dance, born of the + necessity of warmth from exercise, but so full of grace, + abandon, joy, that a poet might have fancied her a river-nymph, + tripping to the reed-born music of the goat-hoofed Pan.</p> + + <p>When, later, she had slowly dressed, and was kneeling at the + pool's edge, using the now placid surface of the water as a + mirror to assist her in rough-fashioning her hair into a + graceful knot, she heard again, from a great distance, a + metallic "tink, tink-tink," which had caught her ear when she + had first stood on the pool's edge. It came, she knew, from + far, however, and so did not rouse her apprehension, but, + mildly, it aroused her curiosity.</p> + + <p>"Hull kentry's 'full o' furriners," she mused. "That + railroad buildin' business in the valley brings 'em. Woods + ain't private no more." Again the tink, tink-tink. "Sounds like + hammerin' on rocks," she thought. "It's nearer than th' + railroad builders, too. I wonder what—but then, them + furriners are wonderful for findin' out concernin' + ev'rythin'."</p> + + <p>She hugged her pulpy spelling book against her breast with a + little shiver of determination. "<i>I'm</i> goin' to l'arn, + too," she said with firm decision as she scrambled up the rough + and rocky mountain path.</p> + + <p>For a time, as she progressed, her thoughts remained afield, + wandering in wonder of what that "furriner" might be up to with + the tink-tink of his hammer upon rocks. This soon passed, + however, and they dwelt again on the pool episode.</p> + + <p>She had never seen a man dressed as the stranger had been. A + carefully made shooting-jacket had covered broad and + well-poised shoulders which were free of that unlovely stoop + which comes so early to the mountaineer's. A peaked cap of + similar material had shaded slightly a broad brow with skin as + white as hers and whiter. Beneath it, eyes, which, although + they were engaged in anxious search when she had seen them, she + knew could, upon occasion, twinkle merrily, had gazed, clear, + calm, and brown. A carefully trimmed mustache had hidden the + man's upper lip, but his chin, again a contrast to the + mountaineers' whom she had spent her life among, showed blue + from constant and close shaving. Yet, different as he was from + her people of the mountains, as she recalled that face she + could not hate him or distrust him.</p> + + <p>She had never in her life seen any one in knickerbockers and + leggins before, and the memory of his amused her somewhat, yet + she admitted to herself that they had seemed quite "peart" as + she peered at them through the reeds.</p> + + <p>But it was the modern up-to-date Winchester which he had + held, all poised to fly up to the ready shoulder should he find + the splashing animal which had attracted his attention by its + noise, which, next to his handsome, clean-cut face, had most + aroused her admiration.</p> + + <p>"Lordy! Joe'd give his eyes to hev a gun like that," she + said.</p> + + <p>And then she made a pun, unconscious of what the outer world + calls such things, but quite conscious of its humor. "Thought I + was a b'ar," she chuckled. "Well, I certainly <i>was</i> + b'ar!"</p> + + <p>Feeling no further fear of any one, defiant, now that she + was fully clothed, of "furriners," rather hoping, as a matter + of fact that she might sometime meet this one again, she let + her laugh ring out unrestrained. A cat-bird answered it with a + harsh cry; a blue-jay answered him with a still harsher note. + But then a brown thrush burst into unaccustomed post-meridian + song. Even his throbbing trills and thrilling, liquid + quaverings, had not more melody in them, however, than had her + ringing laughter.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_II"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER II</h2><br> + + + <p>Her laugh, too, roused more than vagrant birds into + attention. She had emerged from the abrupt little valley and + was entering upon a plateau which had been left comparatively + open by the removal of great trees, sacrificed to furnish ties + for the new railroad building in the lowlands. The place was + littered with the discarded tops of pines and other woodland + rubbish and seemed forlorn and wrecked. She swept her eyes + about with the glance of a proprietor, for Madge Brierly owned + all of this as well as most of the land through which the brook + which deepened into the pool of her adventure flowed. Indeed + the girl was counted rich among her fellows and owned, also, + land down in the valley on which she would not live, but which + she rented for an annual sum to her significant, although it + would not have kept a lowland belle in caramels.</p> + + <p>In the center of the disordered clearing just before her, + was the person who, like the birds, had been roused to keen + attention by the maiden's ringing laugh. She saw him first + while he was peering here and there, astonished, to learn + whence the sound had come, and, with the instinctive caution of + the mountain-bred, she quickly stepped behind a clump of + laurel, through which she peered at him.</p> + + <p>He was a man of sixty years, or thereabouts, wiry, tough and + well preserved. His hair, of grizzled grey, was longer than + most men wore theirs, even among the mountains, where there are + few conventionalities in male attire. He was dressed in the + ordinary garb of the Kentucky planter of the better + class—broad soft hat, flowing necktie, long frock-coat, + which formed a striking contrast to the coarse high-boots into + the tops of which his trousers had been tucked—and yet he + hardly seemed to her to belong to the class of gentlemen to + which his dress apparently assigned him. His face was coarse + and hard, his eyes, as he peered about in search of her, were + "shifty," she assured herself. His hands were large and crudely + fashioned.</p> + + <p>"'Pears like 'most ev'ry one is roamin' 'round my land + to-day," she thought. "I wonder what <i>this</i> one is up to, + thar?"</p> + + <p>For fully fifteen minutes her curiosity remained + unsatisfied, for, startled by the ringing laugh, the stranger + spent at least a quarter of an hour in furtive peering, here + and there, about the clearing, plainly searching for the + laughter. At no time, however, did he approach her hiding place + near enough to see her, and, finally, apparently satisfied that + his ears had fooled him, or that whoever it had been who had + disturbed him with the merry peal had gone away, he went back + to his work.</p> + + <p>Just what this work could be was what she waited curiously + to see. She felt not the least resentment of the trespass it + involved, for the land was wild, and on it, as elsewhere in the + mountains, any one was free to come and go who did not commit + the foolishness of neglecting camp fires, likely to start + forests into blaze, or the supreme treachery of giving + information to the revenue officials about hidden stills. Her + eager curiosity was aroused, more by the mysterious nature of + the stranger's operations than by the fact that they were + conducted on her land.</p> + + <p>Having satisfied himself that no one, now, was near, and, + therefore, that he was not watched, the unpleasantly mysterious + old man went back to the work which evidently had brought him + hither. With utmost care he moved about the place, scrutinizing + outcropping rocks, and this, as they were everywhere, meant a + minute examination of the land. In his hand he carried a small + hammer, and, with this, now and then, after a careful visual + examination of a rock, he knicked it, here and there, + investigating carefully and even eagerly the scars he made, the + bits of rock which were clipped off, now and then even looking + at the latter through a magnifying glass, which he took for the + purpose from a pocket of his vest.</p> + + <p>She had watched these operations, fascinated, for, possibly, + a full half hour, despite the discomfort of damp clothing, + which had begun to chill her, when she saw signs of violent + excitement on the old man's face and in his actions, after he + had chipped a rock, from which he first had had to scrape a + thin superstratum of light soil.</p> + + <p>Like a miner who has found the gold for which, for years, he + has been searching, he arose, with the tiny fragments in his + hand, to look at them with greedy eyes, in a more comfortable, + upright posture. His face had very plainly paled and in his + eyes was an expression of such avaricious eagerness and + satisfaction as she had never seen before upon a human + countenance.</p> + + <p>Before he made a sound she knew that he had found that thing + for which he had been seeking. His grizzled countenance, intent + as any alchemist's of old upon his search, and, as its + absorption grew, continually less a pleasant face to + contemplate, now twisted, suddenly, into an expression of + incredulous joy. He took the fragment he had been examining in + both his hands and held it close before his eyes. Then he made + a minute search of it with his little magnifying glass. Then he + fell upon his knees, and, with his clawlike fingers, scraped + more earth from the rock whence he had chipped it.</p> + + <p>Satisfied by what he saw there, after he had done this, he + rose with a new expression on his face—so crafty, so + exultant, and, withal, so evil, that Madge involuntarily shrank + back to better screening in her leafy hiding place.</p> + + <p>The old man, with sweeping movements of his heavily booted + feet, swept the thin earth he had scraped from the rock's + surface back into its place, thrust the fragments deep into his + pocket, and started hurriedly away, plainly greatly pleased, + along the trail which led into the valley. She watched him with + a beating heart, much puzzled.</p> + + <p>What could it be that he had found, there, on her land? + Visions of gold mines and of diamonds, rose within her mind, + crude, unformed, childish, based on the imperfect knowledge she + had gained of such things from the story-tellers of the + mountains. As mountain people go she was, already, a rich + woman, but now dreams of mightier wealth swept through her + brain tumultuously. Ah, she would buy happiness for all her + friends when she had, later on, unearthed the secret treasures + of her backwoods clearing! Maybe she would, sometime, have a + <i>real silk dress</i>!</p> + + <p>She hurried forward in a stooping run to make examination of + the place, as soon as the old man had vanished down the + mountain side, to see (she thoroughly expected it) the glitter + of bright gems or yellow gold beneath the sand which he had + with such care spread back upon the little scar which he had + made there in the earth. With trembling fingers she pushed back + the yellow earth, and found—nothing but black rock, + uncouth, and unattractive.</p> + + <p>She sat there on the ground in her damp skirts, too + disappointed, for a moment, to make an exclamation. In many + ways the girl, although well past her sixteenth year, was but a + child. The reaction from the mighty dreams of fortune she had + built almost unnerved her.</p> + + <p>It was her native humor which now saved her. Instead of + weeping she burst into sudden laughter.</p> + + <p>"Dellaw!" said she, aloud. "Ain't I a fool? The man was just + a crazy!"</p> + + <p>For some time she sat there in the rocky clearing amidst the + litter of pine-tops and small undergrowth, contemplating her + own silliness with keen amusement.</p> + + <p>"Why, he had me that stirred up," said she, "that I reckoned + I was rich a'ready!"</p> + + <p>But she put the joke aside, to be told upon herself when the + first chance came. Her long hiding in the thicket while she + watched the queer proceedings of the stranger had chilled her + through and through.</p> + + <p>Close to the black rock which had so excited him and which + she had uncovered after he had gone, a little forked stick + stood upright, and in its fork, with one end slanted to the + ground, a twig of green witch-hazel still reposed. Beneath the + twig a tiny spiral of arizing smoke showed that here, with + these primitive appliances, the treasure seeker had prepared + his dinner, later carefully covering his fire.</p> + + <p>"No matter how queer he was dressed, or what queer things he + did," she told herself, "he sure was mountain-born. This here's + a mountain fireplace, sartin sure."</p> + + <p>She broke dead branches from a pine-top, not far away, but + still far enough so that, with reasonable watching, it would + not be endangered by a fire built on this spot (the old man + plainly had considered this when he made the fire, for the + place was almost the only one in all the clearing free enough + from dry pine branches to make fire building safe) and laid + them on the coals which he had buried, but which she now had + carefully uncovered. She would, she had decided, dry her + clothes before she started on the long, cool, woods-road climb + up to her cabin.</p> + + <p>Kneeling by the coals and blowing on them, skillfully + adjusting splinters so that they would catch the draft, she + soon had started a small flame. Fed carefully, this grew + rapidly. Within five minutes there was burning on the site of + the old man's little cooking-fire a cheerful blaze of size. Its + rushing warmth was very grateful to her, and she held her hands + out to it, then her feet, one after the other, with skirts + lifted daintily, so that her chilled limbs might catch the + warmth.</p> + + <p>Invigorated by the pleasant heat, she once more yielded to + the urgings of the bounding spirit of rich youth within her. + Even as she had sported in the water ere the interloper came to + interrupt her sylvan bath, now she sported there about the fire + in an impromptu dance, never for a second uncouth, despite the + fact that she was quite untrained; scarcely less graceful than + her merrymaking in the water, although then she had not been, + as now, hampered in her grace of movement by the unlovely + draperies of homespun linsey-woolsey. As she had been a + water-nymph, so, now, she might have been some Druid maid + dancing by an altar fire. The roughness of the ground did not + annoy her—her feet had not known dancing upon polished + waxen wood; the lack of spectators did not deter + her—those whom she had learned to know and love, the + mountains, trees, the squirrels, and birds, were there.</p> + + <p>In the very midst of the abandon of this rustic symphony of + movement, the thought came to her that the precious + spelling-book was lying on the rock, near by, quite soaked, + neglected. She sped to it and took it to the fire's edge, + where, opening its pages one by one, so that each would get the + warmth, she held it as close as she opined was safe. Having + dried it until she no longer feared the wetting it had had + would seriously harm its usefulness (the lovely smoothness of + its magic leaves was gone, alas! beyond recall) she paused + there for a moment, herself still far from dry, with a bare + foot held out to the blaze, and studied curiously one of the + book's pages.</p> + + <p>Thereon the letters of the alphabet, large, ominous, + suggestive to her mind of nothing in the world but curlycues, + loomed, mystifying. For the first time it occurred to her that + in securing the small volume she had not, as she had thought to + do, solved the problem of an education. The characters, she saw + to her dismay, meant nothing to her. In the absence of a + teacher she could not learn from them!</p> + + <p>Alas, alas! The matter was a tragedy to her. How could she + have been so stupid as to fail to think of this at first? She + stood there with flushed face, despairing, looking at the + mystic symbols with slowly sinking heart.</p> + + <p>Suddenly, though the crackling of the fire filled her ears, + she was aware, by some subtle sense, that she was now not + wholly solitary there. Without a sound to tell her, she was + conscious that some other person had within the moment come + into the clearing. Hastily she looked about. To her amazement, + and, for a moment, to her great dismay, she saw, standing on + the clearing's edge, the young man who had, not long before, + unknowingly invaded her seclusion at the pool.</p> + + <p>Instantly her body became fiercely conscious. Prickling + thrills, not due to bonfire heat, shot over it. Shame sent the + blood in mantling blushes to her cheeks, although she tried to + stop it. Why should she blush at sight of him? True, she had + been there in the water, bare as any new-born babe, when he had + reached the pool's edge—but he had not seen her. To him + she, quite undoubtedly, was a mere strange mountain maid, + unrecognized. Self-consciousness then was quite absurd.</p> + + <p>And this man was a stranger and was on her land. She must + not forget her mountain courtesy and fail to make him + welcome.</p> + + <p>"Howdy," she said briefly.</p> + + <p>"Howdy, little girl?" said he, and looked at her and + smiled.</p> + + <p>This form of address much amused her. She was not far beyond + sixteen, but sixteen is counted womanhood, there in the + mountains, and often is an age for wife—and motherhood as + well. "Little girl," to her, seemed laughable. But then she + suddenly remembered that to stop their flapping, when they were + all soaked, against her ankles, she had pinned her skirts + up—and she was not tall. The mistake, perhaps, was + natural.</p> + + <p>"Got a fire here?" he inquired, inanely, for the fire was + very much in evidence.</p> + + <p>"Looks like it, don't it?" she said somewhat saucily, but + robbed the comment of offense by smiling somewhat shyly at him + as he stood there.</p> + + <p>He was better looking, she reflected, now that she had an + unobstructed view of him, even than he had appeared when she + had peered at him from her concealment behind the log and + barricade of rushes. Of course he was a "foreigner," and, + therefore, a mere weakling, not to be considered seriously as a + specimen of sturdy manhood (how often had she heard the + mountain men speak of the lowlands men with scorn as + weaklings?) but, none the less, he interested and attracted + her, even if he did not inspire her with respect.</p> + + <p>He laughed. "It does," said he, "looks very much like it. + Been burning brush?"</p> + + <p>"No," she replied, "jest warmin' up a little."</p> + + <p>"Why, it's not cold."</p> + + <p>"I—I was wet."</p> + + <p>"<i>Wet?</i>" said he, astonished.</p> + + <p>She saw her slip, and flushed. "Fell in the crik," she + answered briefly, hastily and falsely.</p> + + <p>"Why, that's too bad," said he, with ready sympathy, + unfeigned and real.</p> + + <p>All the time the girl was eying him through often-lowered + lashes, and the more she looked at him the more she felt that + he was not, like many "foreigners," to be distrusted and be + held aloof. His clothes did not suggest to her the "revenuer," + although they certainly were different from any she had ever + seen before on man or beast (his knee breeches gave her some + amusement), and he was totally unarmed, having laid his rifle + down and left it at a distance, leaning against a stump.</p> + + <p>His hands and face were not sunburned—indeed, his + hands were delicately fashioned and much whiter than any she + had ever seen before on man or woman. His appearance certainly + did not, to her, convey the thought of strength—and + manhood, there among the mountains, is thought to find its + first and last expression through its muscle; yet, for some + reason, although her first glance made her think he was a puny + creature, she neither scorned nor pitied him. He was, perhaps, + too smoothly dressed, too carefully shaved; the gun he had laid + down so carelessly had too much "bright work" on it—but + on the whole, she liked him. A city maiden might have well been + dazzled by the really handsome chap. This simple country girl + was not—but, on the whole, she liked him.</p> + + <p>Her hand which held the spelling-book dropped, + unconsciously, so that the open pages of the volume were + revealed, upside down, against her knee.</p> + + <p>"Studying your lessons?" he inquired, quite casually, + good-naturedly, coming nearer.</p> + + <p>Again her disappointment rushed upon her. Impulsively she + told him of it.</p> + + <p>"Oh," said she, "I don't know how! I bought me this yere + book down in th' settlement, an' thought I'd learn things outen + it. But how'm I goin' to learn? I can't make nothin' out of it + to get a start with."</p> + + <p>Instantly the pathos of this situation, not its humor, made + appeal to him.</p> + + <p>"Isn't there a school here?" he inquired.</p> + + <p>"Nearest school is twenty mile acrost, over on Turkey + Creek," she said briefly. "Oncet there was a nearer one, but + teacher was a Hatfield, and McCoys got him, of course. This was + McCoy kentry 'fore they all got so killed off. He ought to 'a' + knowed better than come over here to teach."</p> + + <p>This casual reference to a famous feud—news of whose + infamy had spread far, far beyond the mountains which had + hatched it—from the lips of one so young and lovely (for + he had long ago admitted to himself that as she stood there she + was lovelier than any being he had ever seen before) appalled + Frank Layson, son of level regions, graduate of Harvard, casual + sportsman, amateur mountaineer, who had come to look over his + patrimony and the country round about.</p> + + <p>"Ah—yes," said he, and frowned. And then: "It leaves + you in hard luck, though, doesn't it, if you want to learn and + can't," said he.</p> + + <p>"It sartin does, for—oh, I <i>do</i> hanker powerful + to learn!"</p> + + <p>"May I stay here by the fire with you a while and get warm, + too," he asked. (The unaccustomed exercise of tramping through + the mountains had kept him in a fever heat all day.)</p> + + <p>"An' welcome," she said cordially, moving aside a bit, so + that he could approach without the circumnavigation of a mighty + stump.</p> + + <p>He could not tell whether or not she had made note of many + sweat-beads on his brow and wondered at them on a chilly + man.</p> + + <p>"Perhaps," said he, "I might, in a few minutes, show you a + little about what you want to know. I've been lucky. I have had + a chance to learn."</p> + + <p>She liked the way he said it. There was no hint of + superiority about it. He was not "stuck up," in his claim of + knowledge. He "had had a chance," and took no credit to himself + for it. This pleased her, won her confidence—if, already, + that had not been done by his frank face, in spite of his fancy + clothes and her assumption that he was a namby-pamby + weakling.</p> + + <p>"Oh—if you would!" she said, so eagerly that it seemed + to him most pitiful.</p> + + <p>So, five minutes later, when all her clothing save her heavy + outer skirt, had been quite dried there by the fire, and that + same fire's abounding warmth had sent his temperature up to + high discomfort mark, they sat down, side by side, upon a log, + the spelling-book between them, and he began the pleasant task + of teaching her her A, B, Cs.</p> + + <p>"'A,'" said he, "is this one at the very start."</p> + + <p>"The peaked one," said she.</p> + + <p>"Yes, that one.</p> + + <p>"And 'B,'" he went on, much amused, but with a perfectly + grave face, "is this one with two loops fastened, so, to a + straight stalk."</p> + + <p>"I know where thar <i>is</i> a bee-tree," she remarked, + irrelevantly.</p> + + <p>"It will help recall this in your mind," said he, + maintaining perfect gravity, "imagine it with two big loops of + rope fastened to one side of it—"</p> + + <p>"Rope wouldn't stick out that-a-way," said she, "it would + just droop. They'd have to be of somethin' stiffen"</p> + + <p>"Well—" said he, and tried to think of something.</p> + + <p>"You could use that railroad-iron that I saw 'em heat + red-hot an' bend, down in the valley," she suggested.</p> + + <p>"That's it," said he. "Two loops of railroad-iron fastened + to a bee-tree" (he pointed) "just as these loops, here, are + fastened to the straight black stem. That's 'B.'"</p> + + <p>"I won't forget," said she, her beautiful young brow + puckered earnestly as she stored the knowledge in her + brain.</p> + + <p>"And this is 'C,'" said he.</p> + + <p>"'C,' 'C'" said she. "Jest take off one of th' loops an' use + it by itself."</p> + + <p>"That's so," said he. "And here is 'D'"</p> + + <p>"Cut off th' top th' tree," said she. "Just cut it plumb + off, loop an' all."</p> + + <p>He laughed. It was clear that she would be an earnest and + quick-thinking pupil to whomever had the task of giving her her + education.</p> + + <p>As he looked at her, now, he for the first time fully + realized her beauty. He had known, from the first, that she was + most attractive, most unusual for a mountain maid; but now, + laughing, although her head was still bent to the book, her big + eyes, sparkling with her merriment, raised frankly to his face, + were revelations to him. He had not seen such eyes before, and + all the old-time similes for deep-brown orbs sprang instantly + to mind. "Fathomless pools," "translucent amber"—no + simile would really describe them. Late hours had never dimmed + them, illness had never made them heavy, he was sure a lie had + never made them shift from their straight gaze for one short + second. He had not seen such eyes in cities!</p> + + <p>And from careful contemplation of the eyes, he kept on with + a careful contemplation of the other beauties of his fair and + unexpected pupil. Her homespun gown, always ill-shaped and now + unusually protuberant in spots, unusually tight in others, + because of its late wetting and impromptu, partial drying, + could not hide the sylvan grave of her small-boned and lissome + figure, just budding into womanhood. Her feet, crossed on the + ground, were as patrician in their nakedness as any bluegrass + belle's in satin slippers. Her ankles, scratched by casual + thorns and already beginning to blush brown from the June sun's + ardent kisses, were as delicate as any he had ever seen + enmeshed in silken hose. Her hands, long, slender, + taper-fingered, actually dainty, although brown and roughened + by hard labor, were, it seemed to him, better fitted for the + fingering of a piano's keys than for the coarse and heavy tasks + to which he knew they must be well accustomed. He gazed at her + in veritable wonder. How had she blossomed, thus, here in this + wilderness?</p> + + <p>"Where do you live?" he asked, interrupting their scholastic + efforts.</p> + + <p>"Up thar," she pointed, and, above, he could just see the + top of a mud-and-stick chimney rise above a crag between the + trees.</p> + + <p>"Have you brothers or sisters?"</p> + + <p>"Ain't got nobody," she answered, and to her face there came + a look of keen resentment rather than of sorrow or of + resignation. "I'm all th' feud left," she said simply. She + looked at Layson quickly, wondering if he would be surprised + that she should not have fought and also died. "Girl cain't + fight alone, much," she went on, in hurried explanation, or, + rather, quick excuse. "I might take a shot if I should git a + chanst, but I ain't had none, an', besides, I guess it air plum + wrong to kill, even if there's blood scores to be settled up. I + toted 'round a rifle with me till last fall, but then I give it + up. They won't git me—but maybe you don't know what feuds + are in the mountings, here."</p> + + <p>He was looking at her with new interest. All his life he had + heard much about the dreadful mountain feuds. As the bogey-man + is used in Eastern nurseries, so are the mountaineers used in + the nurseries of old Kentucky and of Tennessee to frighten + children with. Their family fights, not less persistent or less + deadly than the enmities between the warring barons of the + Rhine in middle ages, form a magnificent foundation for dire + tales.</p> + + <p>"Yes," said he, "I know about the feuds, of course. But + you—"</p> + + <p>It did not seem possible to him, even after her frank + statements, that this bright and joyous creature could in any + way be joined to such a bloody history as he knew the histories + of some of these long feuds to be.</p> + + <p>"It's been thirty years an' better," said the girl, "since + the Brierlys and Lindsays had some trouble about a claybank + filly an' took to shootin' one another—shootin' straight + an' shootin' often an' to kill. For years th' fight went on. + They fired on sight, an' sometimes 'twas a Lindsay went an' + sometimes 'twas a Brierly. Bimeby there was just two men + left—my pappy an' Lem Lindsay.</p> + + <p>"One day Lem sent word to my pappy to meet him without no + weepons an' shake han's an' make it up."</p> + + <p>Her face took on a look of bitterness and hate which almost + made her hearer shiver, so foreign was it to the fresh, young + brightness he had watched till now.</p> + + <p>"My daddy come, at th' ap'inted time," she went on slowly, + "but dad—he knowed Lem Lindsay, an' never for a minute + trusted him. He ast a friend of his, Ben Lorey, to be a hidden + witness. Ben hid behind a rock to watch. 'Twas right near + here—just over thar." She pointed.</p> + + <p>"Soon Lem, he come along, a-smilin' like a Judast, an', + after some fine speakin', as daddy offered him his hand, Lem + whipped out a knife, an'—an' struck it into my daddy's + heart."</p> + + <p>The girl's recital had been tense, dramatic, not because she + had tried or thought to make it so—she had never learned + not to be genuine—but because of the real and tragic + drama in the tale she told, the matter-of-course way in which + she told it.</p> + + <p>It made Layson shudder. What sort of people were these + mountaineers who went armed to friendly meetings and struck + down the men whose hands they offered to clasp? Where was the + other man while his friend's enemy was at this dreadful + work?</p> + + <p>"But Lorey," said her fascinated listener, "the man who was + in hiding as a witness, made him pay for his outrageous + act!"</p> + + <p>"No," said the girl, with drooping head. "He stepped out + from behind the rock where he was hidin', an' he pulled the + trigger of his rifle. But luck was dead against us that day. + Wet powder—somethin'—nobody knows what. The gun did + not go off. Before he got it well down from his shoulder so's + to find out what it was that ailed it, Lem Lindsay was upon him + like a mountain lion—an' he laid him thar beside my + daddy. He didn't mean that there should be no witnesses."</p> + + <p>She paused so long that Layson was about to speak, feeling + the silence troublesome and painful, but before he had decided + what to say in comment on a tale so dreadful, she went on:</p> + + <p>"He didn't mean there should be no witnesses, Lem Lindsay + didn't, but as it happened there was two. My mother, me clasped + in her arms, had stole after my daddy, fearin' that somethin' + wicked would come out o' that there meetin' with his old-time + enemy. She spoke up sudden, an' surprised th' murderer, + standin' there by th' two poor men he'd killed. At first it + scared him. I can't remember everythin' about that awful day, + but I can see Lem Lindsay's face as she screamed at him, just + as plain this minute as I seed it then. I'll never forget that + look if I live a thousand years!</p> + + <p>"At first he was struck dumb, but then that passed. He give + a yell of rage an' started toward us on th' run. She jumped, + with me a-hinderin' her. Like a mountain deer she run, in spite + of that. She was lighter on her feet than he was upon his, an' + soon outdistanced him. He hadn't stopped to pick his rifle + up—he only had th' knife he'd done th' killin' with, so + he couldn't do what he'd 'a' liked to done—shoot down a + woman an' a baby!</p> + + <p>"We lived where I live now, alone, an' then, as now, there + was a little bridge that took th' footpath over th' deep gully. + Them days was wicked ones in these here mountains, an' daddy'd + had that foot-bridge fixed so it would raise. My mother just + had time to pull it up, when we had crossed, before Lem Lindsay + reached there. He stopped, to keep from fallin' in the gully, + but stood there, shakin' his bare fist an' swearin' that he'd + kill us yet. But that he couldn't do. Folks was mightily + roused, and he had to leave th' mountings, then an' thar, an' + ain't been in 'em since, so far as anybody knows."</p> + + <p>Her brows drew down upon her eyes. Her sweet mouth hardened. + "He'd better <i>never</i> come!" she added, grimly.</p> + + <p>After a moment's pause she went on, slowly: "So, now, here + we be—Joe Lorey, Ben's son, an' me. My mother died, you + see, not very many years after Lindsay'd killed my daddy. + Seein' of it done, that way, had been too much for her. I + reckon seein' it would have killed me, too, if I'd been more'n + a baby, but I wasn't, an' lived through it. Ben's lived here, + workin' his little mounting farm, an'—an'—"</p> + + <p>She hesitated, evidently ill at ease, strangely stammering + over an apparently simple and unimportant statement of the + condition of her fellow orphan. She changed color slightly. + Layson, watching her, decided that the son of the one victim + must be the sweetheart of the daughter of the other, and would + have smiled had not the very thought, to his surprise, annoyed + him unaccountably. Whether that was what had caused her + stammering, he could not quite decide, although he gave the + matter an absurd amount of thought. She went on quickly:</p> + + <p>"He's lived here, workin' of his little mounting farm + an'—an'—an' doin' jobs aroun', an' such, an' I've + lived here, a-workin' mine, a little, but not much. After my + mother died there was some folks down in th' valley took keer + of me for a while, but then they moved away, an' I was old + enough to want things bad, an' what I wanted was to come back + here, where I could see th' place where mother an' my daddy had + both loved me an' been happy. I've got some land down in th' + valley—fifty acres o' fine pasture—but I never + cared to live down there. Th' rent I get for that land makes me + rich—I ain't never wanted for a single thing but just th' + love an' carin' that my daddy an' my mother would 'a' give me + if that wicked man hadn't killed 'em both. For he <i>did</i> + kill my mother, just as much as he killed daddy. She died o' + that an' that alone."</p> + + <p>Again she fell into a silence for a time, looking out at the + tremendous prospect spread before them, quite unseeing.</p> + + <p>"Oh," she went on, at length, her face again darkened by a + frown, her small hands clenched, every muscle of her lithe + young body drawn as taut as a wild animal's before a spring. "I + sometimes feel as if I'd like to do as other mountain women + have been known to do when killin' of that sort has blackened + all their lives—I sometimes feel as if I'd like to take a + rifle in my elbow an' go lookin' for that man—go lookin' + for him in th' mountings, in th' lowlands, anywhere—even + if I had to cross th' oceans that they tell about, in order to + come up with him!"</p> + + <p>Her voice had been intensely vibrant with strong passion as + she said this, and her quivering form told even plainer how + deep-seated was the hate that gave birth to her words. But soon + she put all this excitement from her and dropped her hands in a + loose gesture of hopeless relaxation.</p> + + <p>"But I know such thoughts are foolish," she said drearily. + "He got away. A girl can't carry on a feud alone, nohow. + There's nothin' I can do."</p> + + <p>Again, now, with a passing thought, her features lighted as + another maiden's, whose young life had been cast by fate in + gentler places might have lighted at the thought of some great + pleasure pending in the future.</p> + + <p>"There is a chance, though," she said, with a fierce joy, + "that Lem Lindsay, if he is alive, 'll git th' bullet that he + earned that day. Joe Lorey's livin'—that's Ben's + son—an' he—well, maybe, some time—ah, he can + shoot as straight as anybody in these mountings!"</p> + + <p>The look of a young tigress was on her face.</p> + + <p>It made the young man who was listening to her + shudder—the look upon her face, the voice with which she + said "And he can shoot as straight as anybody in these + mountings!" For a second it revolted him. Then, getting a + fairer point of view, he smiled at her with a deep sympathy, + and waited.</p> + + <p>He had not to wait long before a gentler mood held + dominance. It came, indeed, almost at once.</p> + + <p>"No," she said slowly, "a girl can't carry on a feud alone, + nohow.... And, somehow, when I think of it most times, I really + don't want to. It's only now an' then I get stirred up, like + this. Most times I'd rather learn than—go on fightin' + like we-all always have.... I'd rather learn, somehow.... + An'—an'—an' that's been mighty hard—<i>is</i> + mighty hard"</p> + + <p>"You—haven't had much chance," said he, looking at her + pityingly.</p> + + <p>She gave him a quick glance. Had she really thought he + pitied her she would have bitterly resented it.</p> + + <p>"Had th' same chance other mounting girls have," she said + quickly, defending, not herself, but her country and her + people.</p> + + <p>She stood, now, at a distance from the fire, for it was + blazing merrily, but her face was flushed by its radiant heat, + its lurid blaze made a fine background for the supple, swaying + beauty of her slim young body. She raised her arms high, high + above her head, with that same genuineness of gesture, graceful + and appealing, which he had seen in all her movements from the + first and then clasped them at her breast.</p> + + <p>"But oh," said she, "somehow, I want to learn, now, + terrible!"</p> + + <p>"Let me help you while I'm in the mountains," he replied, + impulsively. "I'll be glad to help you every day."</p> + + <p>"Would you?" she said. "I would be powerful thankful!" Her + bright eyes expressed the gratitude she felt.</p> + + <p>While they had talked a strange paradox had come about there + by the fire without their notice. The long, black outcropping + of rock against which they had brought the old man's blaze to + life, had, instead of keeping the fire from spreading to the + undergrowth, strangely permitted it to pass.</p> + + <p>It was the girl who first discovered this. She sprang up + from her place with a startled exclamation.</p> + + <p>"Oh," said she, "th' fire is spreadin'!"</p> + + <p>He rose quickly to his feet.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_III"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER III</h2><br> + + + <p>They were appalled by the predicament in which they found + themselves. The thing seemed quite mysterious.</p> + + <p>The rock against which the fire had been built was all + aglow, as if it had been heated in a furnace till red + hot—strange circumstance; one that would have fascinated + Layson into elaborate investigation had he had the time to + think about it—and, beyond it, evidently communicated + through it as a link, the rustling leaves of the past autumn, + their surface layers sun-dried, were bursting into glittering + little points of flame all about the narrow ledge of rock on + which they were standing. As they gazed, before Layson could + rush forward to stamp out these sparkling perils, the fire had + spread, as the girl, wise in the direful ways of brush-fires, + had known at once that it would spread, to the encircling + pine-tops, left in a tinder barricade about the clearing by the + sawyers and the axemen.</p> + + <p>"Oh," she said, distressed, "we're ketched!"</p> + + <p>Layson, less conscious of their peril because less well + informed as to the almost explosive inflammability of dry + pine-tops, took the matter less seriously. "We'll get out, all + right," said he. "Don't worry."</p> + + <p>"There's times <i>to</i> worry," said the girl, "an' this, I + reckon—well, it's one of 'em."</p> + + <p>As if to prove the truth of what she said, with a burst + almost like that of flame's leap along a powder-line, the fire + caught one resinous pine-top after another with a crackling + rush which was not only fearfully apparent to the eye, but also + ominously audible. Within ten seconds the pair were ringed by + sound like that of crackling musketry upon a battlefield, and + by a pyrotechnic spectacle of terrifying magnitude. Layson had + heard guns pop in untrained volleys at State Guard manoeuvres, + and was instantly impressed by the amazing similarity of sound, + but he had never in his life seen anything to be compared to + the towering ring of flame-wall which almost instantly + encircled them. He lost, perhaps, a minute, in astonished + contemplation of the situation. Then realization of their peril + burst upon him with a rush. To wait there, where they were, too + evidently meant certain death. Not only would the pulsing heat + from the pine-tops already burning soon become unendurable, but + there was enough of tindrous litter strewn about the entire + area of the little clearing to make it horribly apparent to him + that, in a moment, it would all become a bed of glittering + flame. He gazed at the menacing, encroaching fire, + appalled.</p> + + <p>Madge, understanding the desperation of their situation even + better than he did, knowing, too, that a stranger could, + indeed, scarce conceive the deadly peril of it, was, at first, + the cooler of the two. Her life there in the mountains, where + any man she knew might meet, and her own father had met, death + stalking with a rifle in his bended elbow, or a knife clutched + in his clenched hand, had given her a certain poise in time of + peril, an admirable self-control, quick wits, firm nerves. She + felt that there was small chance of escape, yet she was not + visibly terrified, and made no outcry.</p> + + <p>Had she been caught, thus, with a mountaineer (which + scarcely could have happened) she would have felt small + apprehension. Learned in the perils of the woods, heavy-booted, + sturdy-legged, a native, like Joe Lorey, for example, would, + she felt quite certain, have been able to effect her rescue. + But the chances, she decided, were practically nil, with this + untrained "foreigner" as her companion. She had been told that + "bluegrass folks" were lacking in strong nerves and prone to + panic if real danger threatened. Barefooted as she was, there + was little she, herself, could do. She knew that she would + quickly fall unconscious from intolerable pain if she so much + as tried to make a dash for safety. That she was badly + frightened she would have readily admitted, that she was + panic-stricken none who looked at her could, for a moment, + dream.</p> + + <p>She glanced at Layson with a curiosity which was almost + calm, as, for a moment quite bewildered, he ran from side to + side of their rapidly narrowing space of safety, endeavoring to + find a weak spot in the wall of flames through which they might + escape, but failing everywhere. For a moment she thought that + he had lost his head, and thus proved all too true those tales + which she had heard of "foreigners." It was almost as one race + gazing at another suffering ordeal in test, that she observed + his every movement, each detail of his facial play. While they + had sat there on the log, intent upon their work above her + spelling-book, she had wondered if the harsh, uncharitable + mountain judgment of the "foreigners" had not been too + merciless. Now she felt that she began to see its + justification. The man, undoubtedly, she thought, showed an + unmanly panic.</p> + + <p>"No use tryin' to get out that-a-way," she said calmly. + "You'd better—"</p> + + <p>Even as she spoke, and before her words could possibly have + influenced him, she saw a change come over him. The signs of + fear, which had so displeased her, faded from his actions and + his facial play. Placed in unusual, unexpected circumstances, + for a second he had been bewildered, but, as soon as + opportunity had come for gathering of wits, he found composure, + coolness, nerve. She did not even finish out her sentence. + Instead, her thoughts turned to that acme of breeding, nerve, + endurance and high spirit dear to all Kentuckians, the race + horse. "He's found his feet!" she thought.</p> + + <p>The man impressed her, now, even more than when, with + courtesy, such as she had never known, tact which had + maintained her comfort when she might have felt humiliated, + learning which to her seemed marvellous, he had offered her the + key to learning's mysteries upon the log. She saw that he had + quickly won a mighty victory over self. She thought of tales + which she had heard by mountain fireplaces about "bad men," + who, when they first had heard a bullet's song, had dodged and + whitened, only to recover quickly and be nerved to peril + evermore thereafter. Her doubt of Layson fell away completely. + Instead of thinking of him as of one whose manhood is inferior + to that of the rough mountaineers she knew, perforce she saw in + him superiorities. There was not the least sign of bragadocio, + of counterfeit, about his new-found calm. It was, she + recognized at once, entirely genuine. "Rattled for a minute," + she thought, wisely, again amending her first judgment, "but + cooler, now, than cucumbers."</p> + + <p>She looked gravely at him as he moved about investigating, + not excitedly, alertly, full of the necessary business of + escape. "Looks bad, don't it?" she said gravely. "Like powder, + them thar pine-tops."</p> + + <p>"Oh, we'll get out all right," he answered, easily, and now + she felt a comfort in the fact that he was intentionally + minimizing danger to give confidence to the supposed weakness + of her sex.</p> + + <p>"Maybe so an' maybe not," said she, discovering, to her + disgust, that it was hard, now that he was showing strength, to + keep the panic tremolo from her own voice.</p> + + <p>The fire had, by this time, encircled them completely, and + from a hundred points was running in toward them on tinder + lines of dry pine-needles and old leaves, flashing at them + viciously along the crisp, dry surface of old moss and lichens + on the rocks. A wind had suddenly arisen, born, no doubt, of + the fire's own mighty draft. Bits of blazing light wood, small, + burning branches, myriads of flaming oak leaves and pine-cones + were swept up from the ring of fire about them, in the chimney + of the blaze, to lose their impetus only at a mighty height, + and then fall slowly, threateningly down within the burning + ring. So plentiful were these little, vicious menaces, that, + within another minute, they were dodging them continually.</p> + + <p>He now took his place close by her side and gazed upon the + spectacle, calm-eyed, as if he found it interesting rather more + than terrifying.</p> + + <p>"Oh, we'll get out, all right," said he, again.</p> + + <p>And then he turned to her in frank and unexcited inquiry. To + her increased disgust the sobs of growing fear convulsed her + throat. She fought them back and listened to his question.</p> + + <p>"You know more about woods-fires than I do," he said evenly. + "Better tell me what to do, eh?"</p> + + <p>This confession of his ignorance strengthened her growing + confidence in him instead of weakening it. The fact that he + could ask advice so calmly made her think that, probably, he + would be calm in taking it if she could offer it. It steadied + her and helped her think. And then she saw him spring, and, + actually with a smile, strike in the air above her head, + diverting from its downward path which would have landed it + upon her, a flaming fragment of pine-top fully five feet long. + He actually laughed.</p> + + <p>"Like handball," he said cheerily. "Don't worry. I won't let + anything fall on you. You just—<i>think!</i>"</p> + + <p>Her panic, now, had vanished as by magic. Instantly she + really <i>ceased</i> to worry. He would <i>not</i> let fire + fall on her. He would get her out of that. She was certain of + it. She <i>could</i> think—calmly and with care.</p> + + <p>But she could not think of a way out—at least she + could not think of a way out for her. Barefooted as she was, + she scarcely could expect to find, even in her strong young + body, strength enough to endure the pain of treading, as she + would be forced to if she made a dash, on an almost unbroken + bed of glowing coals and smouldering moss ten yards in width. + He, with his heavy boots, might manage it. Therefore there was + hope for him; but for her to try it would be madness.</p> + + <p>Had he been a sturdy mountaineer, she wofully + reflected—having found a detail of lowland inferiority + which, she was quite certain, would not be dispelled as had + some others—he might, in such a desperate case, have + summoned strength to "tote" her through, although she scarcely + thought Joe Lorey, the best man whom she knew, could really do + it; still there would have been the possibility. But no + weak-muscled "foreigner," pap-nurtured in the lowlands, could, + she knew, of course, accomplish such a feat. It was fine to + know things, as he did, but <i>muscle</i> was what counted now! + In queer, impersonal reflection, born, doubtless, of a dumb + hysteria, she reflected bitterly upon the healthy weight of her + own mountain-nourished person.</p> + + <p>"If I was only like them triflin' bluegrass gals Joe tells + about," she thought, "made up of nothin' or a little less, it + wouldn't be no trick to tote me outen this; but dellaw! I'm + just as much as that there ox of mine feels right to carry when + I got a couple bags o' grist on, back an' front."</p> + + <p>She looked around the ring of fire, dull-eyed, disheartened. + "Ain't no use," said she, aloud.</p> + + <p>He seemed to almost lose his temper. "Use?" said he, "of + course there's use! You tell me where the best chance is and + we'll fight out, all right."</p> + + <p>She did not even answer; the situation seemed to her so + wholly hopeless.</p> + + <p>He acted, then, without further question. Hastily throwing + the loop of his gun over his shoulder, he crooked one arm + beneath her much-astonished knees, clasped another tight about + her waist, and started for the fire with a determined + spring.</p> + + <p>"No, no; not there!" she screamed, astonished, terrified, + and yet, withal, delighted by the unexpected hardness of the + muscles in the arms which held her, the unexpected spring in + the apparently not overburdened limbs which bore them up, the + unexpected nerve, determination of the man's initiative.</p> + + <p>This "foreigner," it seemed, was not so weak, was not so + namby-pamby as his class had been described to be. She did not + struggle in the circling arms, she only made an + explanation.</p> + + <p>"That's hard wood, burnin' there," said she. "Burnin' hard + wood's harder to break through an' hotter, too. Try some place + where it's pine.... But you can't never do it!"</p> + + <p>"Where?" said he. "Show me! You know, I don't."</p> + + <p>"Well—over thar," she said, and indicated, with a + pointing hand, the place in the encircling conflagration where + passage seemed least hopeless.</p> + + <p>At that moment fire blazed high there, but her knowing eye + told her that it was largely flaring needles, brittle twigs, + and easily dissipated cones which fed it.</p> + + <p>A few great springs, such as she now felt that the + quivering, eager limbs which held her, were possessed of the + ability to make, might take them through this flimsiest spot in + the terrible barricade. The crackling, burning branches of the + dead pine-tops would be likely to give way before them, not to + trip them up, as oak would, to thrust them, falling, on the bed + of glowing coals fast forming on the ground.</p> + + <p>"Over thar," said she, again. "I reckon that's the best + place—but you cain't—"</p> + + <p>With the new respect the knowledge of his trained and ready + muscles brought to her, arose in her a towering admiration of + him. When she first had seen him, there beside the pool, she + definitely had liked him; while they had delved into the + mysteries of the alphabet upon the log his patient, willing, + helpful kindness had increased her prepossession in his favor. + It was only when, after disaster had so swiftly, so + unexpectedly, descended on them and she had compared his body, + made apparently more slender in comparison to the rude-limbed + mountaineers she knew than it was really by tight-fitting + knickerbockers and golf-stockings and its well-cut + shooting-jacket, that she had lost confidence in him. But now + his muscles, closing round her, seemed like thews of steel. She + had never heard of athletes, she did not dream that + muscle-building is a part of modern education—that + alertness on the baseball, polo, football fields, count quite + as much, at least in college popularity, as ready tongues and + agile wits. The last fibres of destroyed respect for him + rebuilt themselves upon the minute. Her confidence returned + completely in a sudden flash—quicker than the magic + leapings of the fire about them. She knew that he would take + her through to safety.</p> + + <p>A thought occurred to her, for, suddenly, with the new + respect for him the knowledge of his trained and ready muscles + gave her, arose a new consideration for him, almost motherly. + He would be breasting dreadful peril in the passage of the + flames—peril to his eyes and face and clinging, + tight-clasped hands especially. And round her limbs there was + the means of saving him, in part, from it.</p> + + <p>"You let me down for just a minute," she said briefly. "Just + a minute. Then I'll let you take me up an' carry me. An' you + can <i>do</i> it, too! You're strong, ain't you?"</p> + + <p>Wondering, he released his hold on her, and she slid to her + feet. Then, with a quick movement, she unbuttoned the waistband + of her outer skirt, and, letting it slip down to the ground, + stepped out of it.</p> + + <p>"Ain't it lucky I got wet?" said she, and smiled. "It ain't + more'n half dry yet. The under one is wet, too, and both of 'em + are wool—and that don't burn like cotton would.</p> + + <p>"Now pick me up again an' I'll just fix this + skirt—so—there—now—that's the way. Can + you see, now? All right? Well, it'll keep th' fire from + catchin' in our hair, an' it'll save your + eyes."</p><a name="Illus_2"></a> <br> + + <center> + <a href="images/Illus_2.jpg"><img src="images/Illus_2.jpg" + alt="A mighty leap ... beyond the blazing barrier" + width="40%"></a> + + <h4>A mighty leap had carried them beyond the blazing + barrier</h4> + </center><br> + <br> + <br> + + + <p>He laughed. "That's fine!" said he, and, almost before she + realized that they were under way, a mighty leap had taken them + close to the blazing barrier, another one had landed them + within its very midst, another one had carried them beyond its + greatest menace, another had delivered them from actual peril, + leaving them on ground where filmy grass, dead leaves, dry + needles, had blazed quickly, with a consuming flash, and, + utterly and almost instantly destroyed, had left behind them + only thin, hot ash, devoid of peril, scarce to be + considered.</p> + + <p>But he did not let her feet touch ground again until they + were even beyond this. Finally, when they reached a rocky + "barren," where the little fire had found no fuel, she felt his + tautened thews relax.</p> + + <p>Instantly she slipped from his encircling arms, and he began + to whip the flames in grass and little brush close to them with + the dampened skirt. Even on the little isle of safety they + found it necessary, still, to agilely avoid innumerable bits of + floating "light-wood" brands, and, for a time, to beat, beat at + the hungry little flames around them, but, at last, the danger + was all over, and they stood there, looking at each other, with + a sense of great relief. He smiled, breathing hard, but not + exhausted.</p> + + <p>"Tight work, eh?" he said cheerfully.</p> + + <p>"Jest <i>wonderful</i>!" she answered, with a ready + tribute.</p> + + <p>Then the memory of his embracing arm, the fact that her own + arms had been as tightly clasped about his neck, came to her + with a rush, although, while they had raced across the burning + strip she had not thought of these things. Shyness stirred in + her almost as definitely as it had while she lay hidden at the + pool's mouth, watching him and tingling with shamed thrills at + thought of her amazing plight there. No man had ever had his + arms about her in her life before.</p> + + <p>But, even while she blushed and thrilled with this + embarrassment, she fought to put it from her. He, evidently, + had not thought of it at all, was, now, not thinking of it. + What had been done had been a part of the day's work, a quick + move, made in an emergency, when nothing else would serve. His + attitude restored her own composure.</p> + + <p>And gratitude welled in her. She struggled to find words for + it.</p> + + <p>"I—I'm much obleeged to you," were all she found, and + she was conscious of their most complete inadequacy.</p> + + <p>"No reason why you should be," he said gayly. "We got caught + in a tight place, that's all, and we helped one another out of + it."</p> + + <p>She laughed derisively. "I helped <i>you</i> out a lot, now + didn't I?" she asked.</p> + + <p>Again she made a survey of him, standing where he had been + when he had loosed his hold of her, unwearied, smiling, and she + looked with actual wonder. Good clothes and careful speech were + not, of a necessity, the outward signs of weaklings, it + appeared!</p> + + <p>Joe Lorey, in a dozen talks with her, had told her that they + were. She did not understand that this had been a clumsy and + short-sighted strategy, that, finding her more difficult than + other mountain girls—the handsome, sturdy young + hill-dweller had not been without his conquests among the + maidens of his kind; only Madge had baffled him—he had + feared that, now when the railroad building in the valley had + brought so many "foreigners" into the neighborhood, one of them + might fascinate her, and it had been to guard against this, as + well as he was able, that he had spoken slightingly of the + whole class. He had delighted in repeating to her tales + belittling them, deriding them, and she, of course, had quite + believed his stories.</p> + + <p>But her experience with this one had not justified that + point of view, and the matter largely occupied her thoughts as + they walked slowly through the thickets of a bit of + "second-growth" beyond the fire, which, stopped by the rocky + "barrens," was dying out behind them. Her companion was, to + her, an utterly new sort of being, not better trained in mind + alone, but better trained in body than any mountaineer she + knew; doubtless ignorant of many details of woods-life which + would be known to any child there in the mountains, but, on the + other hand, even more resourceful, daring, quick, than mountain + men would have been, similarly placed, and, to her amazement, + physically stronger, too!</p> + + <p>The fact that he had shown himself more thoughtful of and + courteous to her than any other man had ever been before, made + its impression, but a slighter one. Hers were the instincts of + true wisdom, and she valued these things less than many of her + city sisters might, although she valued them, of course. She + looked slyly, wonderingly at him. He was a very pleasant, very + admirable sort of creature—this visitor from the unknown, + outside world. She quite decided that she did not even think + his knickerbockers foolish, after all.</p> + + <p>For a moment, even now, she thrilled unpleasantly with a + mean suspicion that he might be a "revenuer," after all, and + have done the good things he had done as a part of that + infernal craft which revenuers sometimes showed when searching + for the hidden stills where "moonshine" whisky is illegally + produced among the mountains; but she put this thought out of + her heart, indignantly, almost as quickly as it came to her. + Instinctively she felt quite certain that duplicity did not + form any portion of his nature. They had not been traitor's + arms which had so bravely (and so firmly) clasped her for the + quick and risky dash across that terrifying belt of fire!</p> + + <p>"No," said she, determined to give him fullest measure of + due credit, "I didn't help you none. I didn't help you + none—an' you did what I don't believe any other man I + ever knew could do. I'm—"</p> + + <p>Again she paused, again at loss for words, again the quest + failed wholly.</p> + + <p>"I'm much obleeged," said she.</p> + + <p>Then, suddenly, the thought came to her of that other and + less prepossessing "foreigner" whom, that day, she had seen + there in her mountains. She described him carefully to Layson, + and asked if he could guess who he had been and what his + business could have been. Descriptions are a sorry basis for + the recognition of a person thought to be far miles away, a + person unassociated in one's mind with the surroundings he has + suddenly appeared in; and, therefore, Layson, who really knew + the man and who, had he identified him with the unknown + visitor, would have been surprised, intensely curious, and, + possibly, suspicious, could offer her no clue to his + identity.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_IV"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER IV</h2><br> + + + <p>That same "foreigner," for a "foreigner," was acting + strangely. Surely he was dressed in a garb hitherto almost + unknown in the rough mountains, certainly none of the + mountaineers whom he had met (and he had met, with plain + unwillingness, a few, as he had climbed up to the rocky + clearing where his fire had blossomed so remarkably) had + recognized him. But, despite all this, it was quite plain that + he was traveling through a country of which he found many + details familiar. Now and then a little vista caught his view + and held him for long minutes while he seemed to be comparing + its reality with pictures of it stored within his memory; again + he paused when he discovered that some whim of tramping + mountaineers or roaming cattle, some landslide born of winter + frosts; some blockade of trees storm-felled, had changed the + course of an old path. Always, in a case like this, he + investigated carefully before he definitely started on the new + one.</p> + + <p>When he had first come into the neighborhood he had made his + way with caution, almost as if fearing to be seen, but now, + after the bits of rocks which he had taken from Madge Brierly's + clearing, had slipped into his pocket, he used double care in + keeping from such routes as showed the marks of many recent + footsteps, in sly investigations to make sure the paths he + chose were clear of other wayfarers. His nerves evidently on + keen edge, he seemed to fear surprise of some unpleasant sort. + Each crackling twig, as he passed through the thickets, each + rustling of a frightened rabbit as it scuttled from his path, + each whir of startled grouse, or sudden call of nesting + king-bird, made him pause cautiously until he had quite + satisfied himself that it meant nothing to be feared. He was + ever carefully alert for danger of some sort.</p> + + <p>But not even his continual alarms, his constant + watchfulness, could keep his mind away from the rough bits of + rock which he had chipped from the outcropping in the clearing. + More than once, as he found convenient and safe + places—leafy nooks in rocky clefts, glades in dense, + impenetrable thickets—he took out the little specimens, + turned them over in his hands with loving touches, and gazed at + them with an expression of picturesquely avaricious joy. Had + any witnessed this procedure they would have found it vastly + puzzling, for the specimens seemed merely small, black stones + and valueless. But once, while looking at them lovingly, he + burst into a harsh and hearty laugh as of great triumph, quite + involuntarily; but hushed it quickly, looking, then, about him + with an apprehensive glance. Each step he made was, in the + main, a cautious one, each pause he made was plainly to look at + some familiar, if some slightly altered, vista.</p> + + <p>It was quite clear that with the finding of the little bits + of rock he had achieved the errand which had brought him to the + mountains, and that now he roamed to satisfy his memory's + curiosity. Smiles of recognition constantly played upon his + grim and grizzled face at sight of some old path, some distant, + mist-enshrouded crag, even some mighty pine or oak which had + for years withstood the buffeting of tempestuous storms; now + and then a little puzzled frown, added its wrinkles to the many + which already creased his brow, when, at some spot which he had + thought to find as he had left it, long ago, he discovered that + time's changes had been notable.</p> + + <p>Once only did the man become confused among the woods-paths + (where a stranger might have lost himself quite hopelessly in + twenty minutes) and that was at a point not far from where + Madge Brierly and Layson had, on their way up from the + clearing, paused while she told her youthful escort of the grim + but simple tragedy of her feud-darkened childhood. Before the + old man reached this spot he had been traveling with puzzled + caution, for a time, across a slope rough-scarred by some not + ancient landslide which had changed the superficial contour of + the mountain-side. When, suddenly, he debouched upon the rocky + crag, hung, a rustic, natural platform above a gorgeous + panorama of the valley, the view came to him, evidently, as a + sharp, a startling, most unpleasant shock.</p> + + <p>That the place was quite familiar to him none who watched + him would have doubted, but no smiles of pleasant memories + curved his thin, unpleasant lips as he surveyed it. He did not + pause there, happily, communing with his memory in smiling + reminiscence as he had at other points along the way. Instead, + as the great view burst upon his gaze, he started back as if + the outlook almost terrified him. He had been traveling astoop, + partly because the burden of his years weighed heavy on his + shoulders, partly as if his muscles had unconsciously reverted + to the easy, slouching, climbing-stoop of the Kentucky + mountaineer. But at sight of this especial spot his attitude + changed utterly, the whole expression, not of his face, alone, + but of his body, altered. His stoop became a crouch. His hands + flew out before him as if, with them, he strove to ward away + the charming scene. His feet paused in their tracks, as if + struck helpless and immovable by what his eyes revealed to + him.</p> + + <p>For a full moment, almost without moving, he stood there, + fascinated by some old association, plainly, for there was + nothing in the prospect which, to an actual stranger, would + have seemed more notable than details of a dozen other views + which he had peered at through his half-closed, weather-beaten + eyes within the hour. Here, clearly, was the arena of some + great event in his past life—an arena which he gladly + would have never seen again. His face went pale beneath its + coat of tan, his shoulders trembled slightly as he tried to + shrug them with indifference to brace his courage up. Twice he + started from the spot, determined, evidently, to shut away the + crowding and unpleasant recollections it recalled to him, twice + he returned to it, to carefully, if with evident repugnance, + make closer study of some detail of its rugged picturesqueness. + More than once, as he lingered there against his will, his + hands raised upward to his eyes as if to shut away from them + some vivid memory-picture, but each time they fell, with + strangely hopeless gesture. The picture which they strove to + hide plainly was not before his eyes in the actual scene, but + painted in the brain behind them and not to be shut out with + screening, claw-curved fingers.</p> + + <p>The effect of this especial spot on the old man, indeed, was + most remarkable. His lips, as he stood gazing there, moved + constantly as if with words unspoken, and, once or twice, the + crowding sentences found actual but not articulate voice. + Whenever this occurred he started, to look about behind him as + if he feared that some one, who might overhear, had crept up + upon him slyly. Finally, making absolutely certain that he had + not been observed by any human being, and evidently yielding to + an impulse almost irresistible, he went over the ground + carefully, examining each foot of the little rocky platform + with not a loving, but a fascinated observation.</p> + + <p>When he finally left the spot a striking change had come + upon his features. He had reached the place sly, cunning, and, + withal, triumphant, as if he had accomplished, that day, + through securing the small stones, some secret thing of a great + import. His countenance, as, at length, he went away, was not + triumphant but half terrified. It was as if some long-forgotten + scene of horror had been brought before his gaze again, to + terrify and astonish him.</p> + + <p>His footsteps had been slow and leisurely, the footsteps of + a contemplative, if a surreptitious sightseer, but now they + quickened almost into running, and the intensely disagreeable + effect of the mysterious episode had not left him wholly, when, + twenty minutes afterward, he had mounted the rocky hill path by + a precipitous climb and found himself within a little, cupped + inclosure in the rocks, secluded enough and beautiful enough to + be a fairies' dancing-floor. There, again, he seemed to + recognize old landmarks, but with fewer of unpleasant memories + connected with them. Plain curiosity glowed, now, in his + narrow, crafty eyes.</p> + + <p>"I wonder," he exclaimed, "if it's here yet."</p> + + <p>As he spoke his glance flashed swiftly to the far side of + the little glade, where, on the face of a dense thicket, a + trained eye, such as his, might mark a spot where bushes had + been often parted with extreme care not to do them injury and + thus reveal the fact that through them lay a thoroughfare. + Noting this with a wry smile of malicious satisfaction, he + started slowly toward the spot.</p> + + <p>The caution of his movements was redoubled, now. While he + had worked, back in the clearing, cooking his simple noonday + meal and chipping off the little specimens of rock, he had + shown that he wished not to have his strange activities + observed. On the mountain paths he had plainly been most + anxious not to run across chance wayfarers who might ask + questions, or (the possibility was most remote, but still a + possibility) remember him of old. He had been merely cautious, + though, not definitely fearful.</p> + + <p>Now, however, actual and obsessive dread showed plainly on + his face and in his movements. Such a fear would have induced + most men to abandon any enterprise which was not fraught with + compelling necessity; with him insistent curiosity seemed to + counterbalance it. The man's face, rough, hard, cruel, was, + withal, unusually expressive; its deep lines were more than + ordinarily mobile, and every one of them, as he proceeded, + soft-footed as a cat, amazingly lithe and supple for his years, + as competent to find his way unseen through a woods country as + an Indian, showed that irresistible and fiercely inquisitive + impulse was offsetting in his mind a deadly apprehension.</p> + + <p>In one way only, though, in spite of the accelleration of + his eager curiosity, did he drop his guard, at all, and this + was quite apparently the direct result of high excitement. That + he had dropped it he was clearly quite unconscious, but when + his lips moved, now, they more than once let fall articulate + words.</p> + + <p>"Ef th' old still's thar ..." they said at one time; then, + after a long pause devoted to worming troublous way through + tangled areas of windfall, they muttered, in completion of the + sentence: "... it'll be th' son that's runnin' it." Another + busy silence, and: "Thar was a girl ... th' daughter + of...."</p> + + <p>Either a spasmodic contraction of the throat at mere thought + of the name—a grimace, almost of pain, which suddenly + convulsed the old man's evil face might well have made a + stranger think that his muscles had rebelled—or an + unusually difficult struggle across a fallen tree-trunk + prevented further speech, as, probably, it prevented for the + time, consecutive further thought of old-time memories. His + mind was tensely concentrated on the work of climbing through + the tangle of dead trunks and branches, and, when he had + accomplished the hard passage, was turned wholly from the + things which he had been considering by a slight crackling, as + of some one stepping on a brittle twig, at a distance in + advance of him.</p> + + <p>Instantly he was on his guard, showing signs quite + unmistakable of deadly fear. He shrank back into the thicket + with the speed and silence of a frightened animal.</p> + + <p>The panic which had seized him soon had passed, however, + for, within a few short seconds it was clear to him that the + noise which he had heard had not been made by any one + suspicious of his presence or a-search for him.</p> + + <p>Peering cautiously between the slender boles of crooked + mountain-laurel bushes, he soon found a vantage point from + which he could see on beyond the densely woven foliage, and, to + his astonishment, found, before he had thought, possible that + he had progressed so far, that he had already reached the place + he sought. Memory had made the way to it a longer one than it + was really, and, in spite of the delays caused by his advancing + age and awkward muscles, long unaccustomed to the work of + threading mountain paths, he had traveled faster than he + thought.</p> + + <p>Not fifty feet away from him, separated from the thicket he + was hiding in but by a narrow stretch of mountain sward, he + saw, among the mountain side's disordered rocks, the carefully + masked entrance to a cave.</p> + + <p>An untrained eye would never have made note of the few signs + which made it clear to him, at once, that this cave was, as it + had been long years before when he had known it well, a place + of frequent call for footsteps skilled in mountain cunning. No + path was worn to its rough entrance, but, here and there, a + broken grass-blade, in another place a pebble recently + dislodged from its accustomed hollow, elsewhere a ragged bit of + paper, torn from a tobacco-package, proved to him that, + although hidden in the wilderness of old Mount Nebo's scarred + and inaccessible sides, this spot was yet one often visited by + many men.</p> + + <p>A grim smile stirred the leathern folds of his old + cheeks.</p> + + <p>"Thar yet," he thought, "an' doin' business yet."</p> + + <p>Again, after he had worked about to get a better view.</p> + + <p>"Best-hidden still in these here mountings. Revenuers never + <i>will</i> get run of it."</p> + + <p>The place had a mighty fascination for him, as if it might + have played a tremendous part in long-gone passages of his own + life. As he stood gazing at it cautiously, the mountaineer + seemed definitely to emerge from his low-country dress and + superficial "bluegrass" manner, fastened on him by long years + of usage. Old expressions of not only face but muscles came + clearly to the front. Now, no person watching him, could ever + for a moment doubt that he was mountain-born and mountain-bred, + if they but knew the ear-marks of that people—almost a + race apart. The sight of the old cave-mouth plainly stirred in + him a horde of memories not wholly pleasant. Leathern as his + face was, it none the less showed his emotions with remarkable + lucidity now that he was off his guard. Now sly cunning + dominated it, with, possibly, a touch left of the early fear to + flavor it.</p> + + <p>"I bet a hundred revenuers in these mountains have looked + for that there still," he thought, "an' no one ever found it, + yet. Forty years it's been thar—through three generations + o' th' Loreys—damn 'em!—an' no one's ever squealed + on 'em. I ... wonder...."</p> + + <p>A look of vicious craft and malice wholly drove away the + searching curiosity which had possessed the old man's features. + For a time he plainly planned some work of bitter vengefulness. + Then, with shaking head, he evidently abandoned the enticing + thought.</p> + + <p>"Too resky," he concluded, and edged a little nearer to the + thicket's edge. "Might stir up old—"</p> + + <p>He paused suddenly, alert and keenly listening. From another + path than that by which he had approached the place there came + the sound of voices raised in talk and laughter. He easily + identified them, to his great surprise, as those of some young + mountain-girl and some young bluegrass gentleman. Their tones + and accents told this story plainly. Surprised and curious, he + went farther, his head bent, with study of the voices, peering, + meanwhile, through the thicket's tangle to get sight of them as + soon as they appeared within the clearing. Suddenly he dropped + his jaw in blank amazement.</p> + + <p>"Frank Layson!" he exclaimed.</p> + + <p>The girl's voice he did not recognize, but knew, of course, + from its peculiar accent, that it was some mountain + maiden's.</p> + + <p>"Well!" he exclaimed beneath his breath in absolute + astonishment. "I didn't think it of Frank Layson! What would + Barbara—"</p> + + <p>The pair emerged, now, from a gully by-path, and came into + view. He tightly shut his jaws and watched them with a peering, + eager curiosity.</p> + + <p>A moment later, and by her wonderful resemblance to her dead + mother, he recognized the girl.</p> + + <p>She, above all people, must not know that he was there, even + if she only thought him to be Horace Holton, newcomer among the + bluegrass gentry in the valley. His plans had been laid + carefully, and for her to find them out would almost certainly + upset them all. He was far from anxious to meet Layson, there + among the mountains, for it would mean awkward questioning, but + he was doubly anxious to avoid a meeting with the girl, first + because she owned the land on which he had secured the bits of + rock then nestling in his pocket, and, second, because she was + the daughter of—</p> + + <p>His thoughts were interrupted, for, for a second, he thought + they must have seen him, so definite was their approach + straight toward the thicket where he hid. He crouched, + frightened. It would be a very awkward matter to be found there + by them, and, besides, he did not know who might be out of + sight within the hidden still. It was quite possible that there + might lurk a deadly enemy. He must worm back through the + thicket with great caution, and, following the secluded ways + which he had traversed in his coming, get back to the railroad + camp, where was safety.</p> + + <p>He stepped backward hastily, and, in so doing, trod upon a + rotten branch. He had not been as cautious as he had intended, + and this mis-step unbalanced him and sent him to the ground, + with a tremendous crashing of the brittle twigs and + dead-wood.</p> + + <p>Springing to his feet while the young people, startled by + the great disturbance, paused where they were standing, for an + instant, he hurried back into the hidden, thicket-bordered + path, now using all his recrudescent skill of silent + woods-progression, and made complete escape, leaving them not + sure that the disturbance had been caused by human blundering + and not some vagrant beast's.</p> + + <p>Madge held back, but Layson hurried to the thicket, with gun + raised ready for a shot.</p> + + <p>Just then, from the carefully concealed cave-entrance, came + Joe Lorey, rifle poised for trouble, eyes gleaming fiercely, + evidently keyed to meet a raid by revenuers.</p> + + <p>It was plain enough that he believed the noise which had + disturbed, alarmed him, had been made by this young sportsman. + Indeed, as he who really had caused the uproar was, now, well + on a cautious backward way along the path by which he had come + up, and the girl and Layson were the only folk in sight, the + young moonshiner's mistake was natural.</p> + + <p>Madge, almost as much disturbed as Lorey was by the crashing + in the thickets, was looking in the direction whence the noise + had come, and, at first, did not see him. When she did she + smiled at him, and called to him, but, absorbed in study of the + bluegrass youth who had so suddenly appeared there in his + secret place among the mountains in company with the girl whom + he, himself, adored, Joe did not answer her, at first. When he + did it was with nothing more than a curt nod. He was astonished + and alarmed to see her in such company.</p> + + <p>After that curt nod he waited for no explanation, but, like + a shadow, slipped into a thicket, disappearing instantly. No + Indian from Cooper's tales could have more instantly + obliterated all trace of himself, could have more quickly, + noiselessly, mysteriously disappeared amongst the greenery, + than did this mountaineer. His movements, made with the + instinctive cunning of the woodsman and with muscles trained + not only by wild life there in the mountains to speed, + endurance and exactitude, but by many an hour of stealthy + stalking of the "revenuers" sent to search out his moonshine + still, raid it, take him prisoner, were almost magically + active, cautious, furtive and effective.</p> + + <p>For an instant Madge herself, accustomed to the native's + skill in woodcraft, as she was, gazed after him, astonished by + the magic of his disappearance, and, at first, piqued not a + little by his scanty courtesy. Then realizing that the + mountaineer was, possibly, quite justified in feeling grave + suspicions of the stranger who was with her—of any + stranger coming thus, without a herald to the + mountains—she turned again to Layson, and, with her hand + lightly guiding him by touch as delicate, almost, as a + wind-blown leaf's upon his sleeve, led him to the nearest + mountain path and on, toward a point whence she could clearly + point out to him the way to his own camp.</p> + + <p>And, suddenly, her own heart throbbed with worry. Had she + not done wrong in bringing this unknown and, therefore, this + mysterious stranger so close upon the heart of Lorey's secret? + She had chosen the path thoughtlessly. She realized that, now, + and much regretted it. The man had wholly won her confidence, + but had it been considerate or fair to Joe, her lifelong + friend, or to the other people of the mountains who had things + to hide from strangers, to be quite so frank with him in her + revelation of the byways of the wilderness?</p> + + <p>Between the mountain-dwellers and the people of the lowlands + never could exist real confidence or friendship. From her + babyhood she had been taught to feel suspicion of all + strangers: that was, indeed, first article in the creed of all + folk mountain-born. Why had she so freely dropped her mantle of + reserve before <i>this</i> stranger? That he had saved her from + the bush-fire was excuse for her own gratitude, but was it + valid reason for exposing her best friends to danger at his + hands, if they proved treacherous? The revenuers, she had been + informed, were men of devilish craft, unscrupulous cunning. + Might not this youth with the fine clothes, the splendid + manner, the great learning, the soft voice, the quick resource + and the undoubted bravery, very well be one of them?</p> + + <p>She had once heard a mountain preacher draw a picture of the + devil, which made him most attractive and in the same way that + this youth was most attractive. Certain of the sympathies of + his rough hearers, the man had painted Beelzebub with broad, + rough, verbal strokes, as a bluegrass gentleman intent on the + destruction of the honor, independence, liberty of + mountaineers. The mountaineer has never and will never + understand what right the government of state or nation has to + interfere with whatsoe'er he does on his own land with his own + corn in his own still. Just why he has no right to manufacture + whiskey without paying taxes on the product he really fails to + comprehend. He regards the "revenuer" as the representative of + acute and cruel injustice and oppression. When he "draws a + bead" on one he does it with no such thoughts as common + murderers must know when they shoot down their enemies. He does + not think such killings are crude murder, any more than he + regards feud killings as assassinations.</p> + + <p>With such ideas Madge had been, to some extent, imbued. With + feud feeling she was quite in sympathy—had not she lost + her loved ones through its awful work? Could she ever have + revenge on those who had thus bereaved her through any means + save similar assassination?</p> + + <p>And certainly the revenuers were her enemies, for they were + the foemen of her friends. If this young man should be a + revenuer she might have done a harm incalculable by guiding him + along the secret mountain byways which they had been + travelling.</p> + + <p>Her heart was in her throat from worry, for an instant. Had + she, whose very soul was fiercely loyal to the mountains and + their people, been the one to show an enemy the way into their + citadel? Had she, bound especially to Joe Lorey, not only by + the ties of lifelong friendship but by that other comradeship + which had grown out of mutual wrongs and mutual hatred of Ben + Lindsay (not dimmed, a whit, by the mere fact that, terrified, + he had, years ago fled from the mountains), done Joe the + greatest wrong of all by leading this fine stranger to the very + entrance of his hidden still? <i>Was</i> he a revenuer in + disguise?</p> + + <p>The magnitude of her possible indiscretion filled her with + alarm. That crashing in the bushes back of them might have been + made by some associate of his, who had trailed them at a + distance, ready to give assistance, if needs be, or, in case + all things went right and the bolder man who had gone first and + fallen into the great luck of an acquaintance with her had no + need of help, to corroborate his observations, help him to + scheme the way by which to make attack upon the still when the + time for it should come.</p> + + <p>As she considered all these possibilities, quite reasonable + to her suspicious mind, she shuddered.</p> + + <p>But then, as she went slowly down the mountain path beside + the stranger she looked up and caught the frank calm glances of + his eyes.</p> + + <p>Surely there was nothing of cowardice such as would fool a + trusting girl into betrayal of her friends, in them; surely + there was not the low craft of a spy in them; surely their + clear and unexcited gaze was not that of a keen hunter, + unscrupulously on the trail of human game, who has just learned + through the innocent indiscretion of a girl who trusted him, + the secret of its covert.</p> + + <p>As she looked at him she was convinced of two things, vastly + comforting. One was that Layson had no knowledge of the still; + that, untrained to mountain ways and unsuspicious, he had not + even guessed at the secret of the little hidden place among the + mountains. Another was—and this gave her, although she + could have scarcely explained why, a greater comfort than the + first had—that had he had that knowledge he would not + have used it meanly.</p> + + <p>She thrilled pleasantly with the complete conviction that + the man whom she had liked so much at first sight, the man who + had shown such pluck in saving her from fire, the man who had + exhibited such thoughtfulness and helpfulness in starting her + upon the rocky path toward education, was true and fair and + fine—was, in the curt language of the mountains, + "decent."</p> + + <p>When she left him at the foot of the rough path which wound + up to the cabin where she lived alone, she had quite recovered + confidence in him. She eagerly assented to his suggestion that + they meet again, the following day, for the continuation of her + studies.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_V"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER V</h2><br> + + + <p>Their next lesson was in a new school-room. The clearing + where they had had their first, was, now, charred and + blackened, not attractive, after the small fire; so, after + going to it, the following day to look it over with that + interest with which the man who has escaped from peril seeks + again, the scene of it in curiosity, they found another glade + wherein to carry on their delving after knowledge of the + ABC's.</p> + + <p>There, beneath a canopy of arching branches and the sky, + between rustling walls of greenery pillared by the mighty boles + of forest trees, they had the second lesson of the course which + was to open up to Madge the magic realm of books and of the + learning hidden in them.</p> + + <p>Nor did her investigations now, confine themselves, entirely + to the things the small book taught. She questioned Layson + about a thousand things less dry and matter-of-fact than shape + of printed symbols and the manner of their combination in the + printed word. Life, life—that was to her, as it has ever + been to all of us, the most fascinating thing. Here was one who + had come from far, mysterious realms which she had vaguely + heard about in winter-evening gossip at the mountain-cabin + firesides; realms where men were courteous to women, careful in + their speech; where women did not work, but sat on silken + chairs with black menials ready to their call to serve their + slightest wish; where maidens were not clad as she was clad, + and every woman she had ever known was clad, in calico or + linsey-woolsey homespun, but richly, wondrously, in silks and + satins, laces, beaded gew-gaws. In her imagination's picture, + the maids and matrons of the bluegrass were as marvellous, as + fascinating, as are the fairies and the sprites of Anderson and + Grimm to girls more fortunately placed. No tale of elf born + from a cleft rock, touched by magic wand, ever more completely + fascinated any big-eyed city child, than did the tales which + Layson told her—commonplace and ordinary to his mind: + mere casual account of routine life—about his family and + friends down in the bluegrass, the enchanted region separated + from them where they sat by a hundred miles or so of rugged + hills and billowing forests. Her eager questions especially + drew from him with a greed insatiable account of all the + gayeties of that mysterious existence.</p> + + <p>"And that aunt of yours—Muss + Aluth—Aluth—"</p> + + <p>"Miss Alathea Layson?" he inquired, and smiled.</p> + + <p>"Yes; what queer names the women have, down there! Is she + pretty? Does <i>she</i> dress in silks and satins, too, like + the girls that go to them big dances?"</p> + + <p>He laughed. "None of them are always dressed in silks and + satins," he replied. "Perhaps I've given you a wrong idea. We + work down there, as hard, perhaps, as you do here, but we have + more things to work with. Don't get the notion, little girl, + that all these things which I have told you of are magic things + which surely will bring happiness! There is no more of that, I + reckon, in the bluegrass than there is here in the mountains. + Silks and satins don't make happiness, balls and garden-fetes + don't make it. A girl who's sobbing in a ball gown can be quite + as miserable as you would be, unhappy in your homespun."</p> + + <p>She was impatient of his moralizing. "I know that," she + said. "Dellaw, don't you suppose I've got some sense? But it + ain't <i>quite</i> true, neither. Maybe if I was going to be + unhappy I'd be just as much so in a silk dress as I would in + this here cotton one that I've got on; but I guess there's + times when I'd be happier in the silk than I <i>would</i> be in + this. My, I wisht I had one!"</p> + + <p>He looked at her appraisingly. She would, he thought, be + wondrous beautiful if given the accessories which girls more + fortunate had at their hand. Beautiful, she was, undoubtedly, + without them; with them she would be—he almost caught his + breath at thought of it—sensational!</p> + + <p>Mentally he ran over all the girls he knew in a swift survey + of memory. Not one of them, he thought, could really compare + with her. Even Barbara Holton, with her haughty, big featured, + strikingly handsome face, although she had attracted him in + days passed, seemed singularly unattractive to him, now.</p> + + <p>While he sat, musing thus, almost forgetful of the puzzling + ABC, she gazed off across the valley dreamily, the ABC's as far + from her. It was a lovely prospect of bare crag and wooded + slope, green fields and low-hung clouds, with, at its center, + here and there the silver of the stream which, back among the + forest trees, supplied the water to the hidden pool where she + had watched him, furtively, the first time she had ever seen + him. But it was not of the fair prospect that the girl was + thinking. The coming of the stranger had brought into her life + a hundred new emotions, ten thousand puzzling guesses at the + life which lay beyond and could produce such men as he. Were + all men in the bluegrass like Frank Layson—courteous, + considerate, and as strong and active as the best of + mountaineers? If so—what a splendid place for women! She + was sure that men like him were never brutal to their wives and + daughters, sisters, mothers, as the mountaineers too often are; + she was certain that they did not craze themselves with whisky + and terrify and beat their families; she was sure that when one + loved a girl the courtship must be all sweet gentleness and + happiness and joy, not like the quick succession of mad + love-making and fierce quarrels which had characterized the + heart-affairs that she had watched, there in the mountains.</p> + + <p>She, herself, had had no love-affairs. Instinctively she had + held herself aloof from the ruck of the young mountain-men, + neither she nor they knew why, unless it was because she owned + the valley land and so was what the mountain folk called rich. + Most of them had tried to pay her court, but none of them, save + Joe, had in the least attracted her, and she had let them know + this (strangely) without arousing too much anger.</p> + + <p>Now she had one suitor, only, who was at all + persistent—Joe. She had sometimes thought she loved him. + Now she knew, quite certainly, that she did not, and, in a + vague way, was sorry for him, for she was quite certain of his + love for her. It never once occurred to her that she was + rapidly falling in love with the young man by her side. She had + not thought of him as being socially superior: the spirit of + independence, of equality of men, is nowhere stronger, even in + this land of independence and equality, than it is among the + mountains of the Cumberland; but she knew he was most wise. Had + not the puzzling symbols in the spelling-book been, to him, as + simple matters? She knew that he was gentle-hearted, for the + kindness of his acts proved that. She knew that he was, really, + a gentleman, for his manner was so perfectly considerate, so + ever kind. She did not realize that she was thinking of him as + a lover; but she dreamed, there, of the girls down in the + bluegrass and wondered how it must seem to them to have lovers + such as he. She could but very vaguely speculate as to their + emotions or appearance, but her speculations on both points, + vague as they might be, made her suffer strangely and cast + queer, furtive little side-glances at him. In her heart were + stirrings of keen jealousy of these distant maidens, but this + she did not realize.</p> + + <p>She broke into his revery with: "Don't you know any women, + down there, but your aunt?"</p> + + <p>"Er—what?"</p> + + <p>"Don't you know any women, down there, but your aunt?"</p> + + <p>"Why, yes," said he, and laughed. "I know a lot of women, + down there; lots and lots of women, certainly."</p> + + <p>"All them that go to balls, and such?"</p> + + <p>"Many of them."</p> + + <p>"Do you like to dance with them?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, yes; of course."</p> + + <p>"Tell me—all about the things they wear." This was not + quite the question she had started out to ask, but an answer to + it might be very interesting.</p> + + <p>She settled comfortably back upon the boulder she had chosen + as a seat, her hands clasped about one knee, her face turned + toward him eagerly, her eyes sparkling with keen zest.</p> + + <p>But he looked at her, appalled. "Why," said he, "why—I + don't believe I can. I know they always seem to be most + charming in appearance, but just how they work the magic + <i>I</i> don't know."</p> + + <p>"Can't you tell me nothing?" Her voice showed bitter + disappointment. She unclasped the hands about her knee and sat + dejected on the boulder. She gave him not the slightest hint of + it, but, suddenly, a plan had come into her mind.</p> + + <p>He looked at her regretfully. "Perhaps you'd better question + me," said he. Maybe I can scare up details if you'll let me + know just what you wish to hear about."</p> + + <p>"How are their dresses made?" she asked.</p> + + <p>"Oh, skirt, and waist, and so on," he airily replied.</p> + + <p>She made a gesture of impatience. "Well, then, how is the + skirt made? Tell me that. Tell me everything that you remember + about skirts. Are they loose as mine, or tighter?" She rose and + stood before him, in her scant drapery of homespun, turning + slowly, so that he might see.</p> + + <p>It was very clever. Instantly it brought to mind the last + girls he had seen down in the lowlands at a lawn-party, with + their wide and much beruffled skirts.</p> + + <p>"Oh, they're looser," he said gravely. "Much, much looser. + Why, they are as big around as that!" He made a sweeping, + circular gesture with his arms.</p> + + <p>"What for trimmings do they have?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, all sorts of things—ruffles, frills, embroidery + and laces."</p> + + <p>"What's embroidery?"</p> + + <p>He tried to tell her, but he did not make it very clear, + and, realizing that he had done quite his best although he had + not done so very well, she sighed and dropped that detail of + the subject. But she knew what frills and ruffles were.</p> + + <p>"And how about their waists?" said she. "Like mine, are + they?"</p> + + <p>He looked, appraisingly, at the loose basque, which, because + of the budding beauty of her form rather than because of any + merit of its own, had seemed to him most charming and + attractive. Close examination did not show this to be the case. + It was a crude garment, certainly, of crude material, crude + cut, crude make. The beauty all was in the wearer's soft young + curves and lissome grace.</p> + + <p>"No," he answered, honestly, "they're not like that. In the + summer, and for evenings—such as dances and the + like—they are cut low at the neck. And they are + tighter."</p> + + <p>"I suppose," said she, "they wear them things that they call + corsets, under 'em. I've heard of 'em—I saw one, + once—but I ain't never had one. Maybe I had better get + one."</p> + + <p>He spoke hastily. At that moment, as he gazed at her slim + grace, undulant, untrammelled and as willowy as a spring + sapling's, it seemed to him that it would be a sacrilege to + confine it in the stiff rigidity of such artificialities as + corsets. It seemed a bit indelicate, to him, to talk to her + about such matters, but her guilelessness was so real and he + was so assured of his own innocence, that he did what he could + to make things clear to her. He descanted with some eloquence + upon the wickedness of lacing, the ungracefulness of artificial + forms and the beauty of her own wholly natural grace.</p> + + <p>"I'm glad you think I'm pretty," she said frankly, plainly + greatly pleased, "but I reckon I'd be prettier if I had one of + them there corsets."</p> + + <p>His protests to the contrary were not convincing, in the + least.</p> + + <p>So the lessons from the book did not go so very far that + day.</p> + + <p>"Furbelows have always interested females, I suppose," said + he, "but I didn't really think you'd lose your interest in + spelling-books because of them."</p> + + <p>"I ain't lost interest in spelling-books," she said. "I + ain't lost interest, at all. After I've studied good and hard I + can read all about such things in the picture-papers that Mom + Liza has down to the store. They've got all kinds of pictures + in 'em—all of fancy gowns and hats and things like that. + She showed one to me, once, but all I could make out was just + the pictures, and she couldn't manage to make out much more. + She can read the names on all the letters comin' to the + post-office, for there's only three folks ever gets 'em, but + she ain't what you'd really call a scholar."</p> + + <p>He laughed heartily. "So, even in the mountains, here, they + take the fashion papers, do they?"</p> + + <p>"No; she don't pay for 'em," she gravely answered. "They're + always marked with red ink, 'Sample Copy,' so she says; but + they send 'em ev'ry once a while. If you're in th' post-office, + you get a lot o' things, like that—all sorts o' + picture-papers, an' cards, all printed up in pretty colors, to + tell what medicines to take when you get sick."</p> + + <p>"Ah, patent-medicine advertisements."</p> + + <p>"Yes; that's what she calls 'em, an' she's read me some + powerful amazin' stories out of 'em—them as was in short + words—of folks that rose up almost from th' dead! They're + wonderful!"</p> + + <p>"They are, indeed!"</p> + + <p>"But what I always liked th' best was them there papers + tellin' about clo'es."</p> + + <p>"Eternal feminine!"</p> + + <p>"I don't know what you mean by that, but they are mighty + peart, some o' them dresses pictured out in them there + papers."</p> + + <p>"I've not the least doubt of it."</p> + + <p>"And I suppose they are th' kind th' girls you know, down in + th' bluegrass, wear for ev'ry day!" she sighed.</p> + + <p>He looked at her in quick compassion and in protest.</p> + + <p>"Madge," he said, "please listen to me. It's not dress that + makes the woman, any more than it is coats that make the man. + You would like me just as well if I were dressed in homespun, + wouldn't you?"</p> + + <p>"That's different."</p> + + <p>"It isn't; it's not, a bit."</p> + + <p>"Laws, yes! It's—oh—heaps different!" She nodded + her lovely head in firm conviction. "It's heaps different and + I'm goin' to know more about such things as clo'es. I ain't + plumb <i>poverty</i> poor, like lots o' folks, here in th' + mountings. I got land down in th' valley I get rent + from—fifty dollars, every year! I'm goin' to find out + about such things."</p> + + <p>He looked at her, almost worried. It would be a pity, he + thought instantly, for this charming child of nature to become + sophisticated and be fashionably gowned; but, of course, he + made no protest.</p> + + <p>"You can learn a little something about such things if you + stay right here," said he. "I'm going to have visitors, + sometime before the summer's over, at my camp. My aunt, Miss + Alathea, will be here, and our old friend, Colonel Sandusky + Doolittle. He's a great horseman."</p> + + <p>Instantly the girl showed vivid interest, not, as he had + thought she would, in his aunt, Miss Alathea, but in the + Colonel from the Bluegrass, who also was a horseman.</p> + + <p>"Horseman, is he?" she exclaimed, her eyes alight.</p> + + <p>"Yes; he's famous as a judge of horses."</p> + + <p>"At them races that they tell about? Oh, I'd like to see one + of them races!"</p> + + <p>"Yes, he goes to races, everywhere, although he always means + to stop immediately after the next one. It has been the races + which have kept him poor and kept him single."</p> + + <p>"How've they kept him poor?"</p> + + <p>He told her about betting, while she listened, wide-eyed + with amazement at the mention of the sums involved.</p> + + <p>"How've they kept him single?"</p> + + <p>"He's been in love with my Aunt Alathea for a good many + years, but she won't marry him until he keeps his promise to + avoid the race-tracks."</p> + + <p>"What makes your aunt hate hawsses?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, she loves good horses, but the Colonel always bets, + and, as I have said, it keeps him poor. It's the gambling that + she hates, and not the horses. Every year he plans to keep away + from all horse-racing for her sake; every year he tries to do + it, but quite fails."</p> + + <p>She laughed heartily. "An' she thinks he loves th' races + more than he does her?" she asked. Then, more soberly: "I don't + know's I blame her, none. When's she comin'? I'll be powerful + glad to see her."</p> + + <p>"I don't know just when she's coming, but she's promised me + to have the Colonel bring her up here. I want to have her see + the beauty of the mountains."</p> + + <p>"I'll like him, sure, whether I like her or not."</p> + + <p>He was astonished. "But you said you would be sure to love + her!"</p> + + <p>"Uh-huh; but I'd be surer to like anyone who is as fond of + hawsses as you say he is. Why, when I ride—"</p> + + <p>"I didn't know you ever rode a horse. I've only seen you on + your ox."</p> + + <p>"Poor old Buck! It's true, I have been ridin' him, when I + felt lazy, lately, but my pony—ah, that's + <i>fun</i>!"</p> + + <p>"Where is he?"</p> + + <p>They had started strolling down the trail and were near the + pasture bars, where she had left Joe Lorey on the morning of + her bath, after having ridden down to them upon her ox.</p> + + <p>She hurried to them, now, and, leaning over them, puckered + her red lips and sent a shrill, clear whistle out across the + pasture. Immediately from a thicket-tangle at the far end of + the half-cleared lot appeared a shaggy pony, limping wofully, + but with ears pricked forward as a sign of welcome to his + mistress.</p> + + <p>"Come on, Little Hawss!" she called. "Come on! It hurts, I + know, for you to step, but come on, just th' same. I got a + turnip for you."</p> + + <p>She turned to Layson with an explanation. "He's lame, poor + Little Hawss is. Don't know's he'll ever get all right + ag'in."</p> + + <p>"Oh!" said Layson. "And I didn't even know you had a horse." + Horses are less common in the mountains than are oxen, although + nearly every mountain farm has one, for riding. Oxen, though, + are the section's draught-animals.</p> + + <p>"Didn't think I had a hawss?" she said, and laughed. "I'd + <i>die</i> without a hawss! Why, they say, here in the + mountains, that I'm a good rider. I've raced all the boys and + beat 'em on my Little Hawss."</p> + + <p>She petted the affectionate, uncouth little beast and fed + him slowly, lovingly. "Little Hawss, before he hurt his hoof, + was sure-footed as a deer. Didn't have to be afraid to run him + anywhere, on any kind of road at any time of day or night," + said she. "Never stumbled, never missed the way, and, while he + don't <i>look</i> much—he never did—he could just + carry <i>me</i> to suit me! But—well, I don't know as he + will ever carry me again!"</p> + + <p>Layson, himself a great horse lover, went up to the shaggy + little beast and petted him. The pony knew a friend + instinctively and rubbed his nose against the rough sleeve of + his jacket while he munched the turnip.</p> + + <p>Madge stooped and lifted the poor beast's crippled foot.</p> + + <p>"Looks bad, don't it?" she said anxiously, asking Frank's + opinion as an expert.</p> + + <p>He looked the bad foot over carefully and shook his + head.</p> + + <p>"Madge, I am afraid it does," said he. "But wait until the + Colonel comes. He'll tell you what to do. No man knows horses + better than the Colonel does.</p> + + <p>"I've never told you of my horse, have I?" he asked.</p> + + <p>"Why, no; you got one, too?"</p> + + <p>He drew a long breath of enthusiasm at the mere thought of + his greatest treasure. "Such a mare," said he, "as rarely has + been seen, even in Kentucky. She's famous now and going to be + more so. She's the very apple of my eye."</p> + + <p>The girl looked at him wide-eyed with a fascinated interest. + "What color is she?"</p> + + <p>"Black as night."</p> + + <p>"And gentle?"</p> + + <p>"Ah, gentle as a dove with friends; but she's not gentle if + she happens to dislike a man or woman! Why, if she hates you, + keep away from her. She'll side-step with a cunning that would + fool the wisest so's to get a chance for a left-handed kick; + she'll bite; she'll strike with her forefeet the way a human + fighter would."</p> + + <p>"Oh!" said the girl. "Ain't it a pity she's so ugly?"</p> + + <p>"I said she's gentle with her friends. She'd no more kick at + me than I would kick at her. She knows it. She's intelligent + beyond most horseflesh."</p> + + <p>"Has she ever won in races?"</p> + + <p>"She's won in small events, and great things are expected of + her by more folk than I when she gets going on the larger + tracks. I'm counting on her for good work this year, after I go + home again."</p> + + <p>"Ah," sighed the girl, carried quite away by his excited + talk about his favorite, "how I'd love to see her run!"</p> + + <p>"It's poetry," he granted; "the true poetry of motion."</p> + + <p>"And this Cunnel—Cunnel—"</p> + + <p>"Colonel Doolittle?"</p> + + <p>"Uh-huh. Will he help me, do you s'pose, to get my Little + Hawss cured of his lameness?"</p> + + <p>"You may count on that."</p> + + <p>"Who else is comin' here to see you?" she inquired, as they + left Little Hawss wistfully agaze at them across the old log + fence.</p> + + <p>Layson, for no reason he could think of, felt a bit + uncomfortable, as he replied. He temporized before he really + told her of what worried him.</p> + + <p>"Well," said he, "there'll be old Neb—"</p> + + <p>"Who's he?"</p> + + <p>"A servant who has been in our family for years. He is a + fine old darkey and we love him—everyone of us."</p> + + <p>"And will he be all?"</p> + + <p>"No; I understand that Mr. Horace Holton, also, will come + with the party. Mr. Holton and his daughter."</p> + + <p>It is possible that he may have flushed a little, as he + spoke about this matter, or there may have been some slight + hint of the unusual in his voice. At any rate, the notice of + the girl was instantly attracted.</p> + + <p>"Daughter?" she inquired.</p> + + <p>"Yes," said Frank, "his daughter Barbara."</p> + + <p>"How old is she?" Madge's curiosity had been aroused at + once.</p> + + <p>"About your age."</p> + + <p>She was delighted. "And will I surely see her?"</p> + + <p>"Yes; of course."</p> + + <p>"Do you suppose she'll like me?"</p> + + <p>Layson, from what he knew of Barbara Holton, scarcely + thought she would. He could not make his fancy paint a picture + of the haughty lowlands beauty showing much consideration for + this little mountain waif; but he did not say so. He answered + hesitatingly, and she noticed it.</p> + + <p>"You don't think she'll like me!" she exclaimed.</p> + + <p>"I didn't say so. Certainly she'll like you. Who could help + it, Madge?" He smiled. It did not seem to him, as his eyes + studied her, that anybody of sound sense could.</p> + + <p>She sighed. "A woman could." She spoke with an instinctive + wisdom which her isolated life among the crags and peaks had + not deprived her of. "A woman always can. But, my, I hope she + will!"</p> + + <p>"She will," said Frank. "She will. And my dear + Aunt—oh, you will love her."</p> + + <p>"Miss Aluth—Aluth—?" She stopped, questioningly, + still bothered by the name.</p> + + <p>"Miss Alathea," he prompted. "She'll like you and you'll + love her."</p> + + <p>The girl smiled happily. "Uh-huh." Her acquiescence was + immediate. "Reckon maybe I'll love <i>her</i>, all right, and I + <i>hope</i> the other will come true, too." Suddenly she was + stricken with a fear. "But she won't, though—dressed the + way I be!"</p> + + <p>"What you wear would make no difference to my Aunt Alathea," + Frank protested, "any more than it would make to Colonel + Doolittle."</p> + + <p>She did not speak again for quite a time, walking along the + narrow mountain-path with eyes fixed, but unseeing, on the + trail. It was plain that in her mind grave problems were being + closely studied.</p> + + <p>"Maybe," she said, at length, "I won't be so very + <i>awful</i> as you <i>think</i>!"</p> + + <p>They had reached the path which led first to the bridge + across the mountain-chasm making the rock on which her cabin + stood an island, and then, across this draw-bridge, to the + cabin itself. She waved a gay and unexpected good-bye to + him.</p> + + <p>He felt strangely robbed. He had expected another half-hour + with her. It astonished him to learn through this tiny + disappointment how agreeable the little mountain maid's society + had come to be.</p> + + <p>He was wakeful that night till a later hour than usual.</p> + + <p>Somehow he was not as thoroughly delighted as he felt that + he should be by the prospect of his guests' arrival. His + journey to the mountains and his sojourn there had been + considered rather foolish by his friends, but he had wished to + make quite sure that what was said about the wild mountain + lands which formed the greater portion of his + patrimony—that they were practically valueless—was + true, ere he gave up all hope of profiting from them.</p> + + <p>The building of the railroad through the valley had imbued + him with some hope that they might not prove to be as useless + as they had been thought to be, and it had been that which had + induced him, at the start, to make the journey.</p> + + <p>Once arrived he had found the mountain air delightful, the + fishing fine, the shooting all that could be wished, and had + enjoyed these to their full, investigating, meanwhile, his + rough property; but as he lay there in his shack of logs and + puncheons he acknowledged to himself that it was none of these + things which now made the mountains so attractive. It was the + nymph of the woods pool, the mountain-side Europa on her bull, + his little pupil of the alphabet, in plain reality, who now + held him to the wilderness.</p> + + <p>He wondered just what this could mean. Could it be possible + that he was thinking seriously of the little maid <i>in that + way</i>?</p> + + <p>He almost laughed at the idea, there alone in the woods + cabin, with the stars in their deep velvet canopy twinkling + through the window at him and the glow of his cob pipe for + company.</p> + + <p>But his laugh was not too genuine. He found himself, to his + amazement, comparing Madge, the mountain girl, with Barbara + Holton, the elegant daughter of the lowlands, and finding many + points in favor of the little rustic maiden. He wondered just + how serious his attentions to fair Barbara had been thought to + be by her, her father, Horace Holton, and by other people. + There were many things about Madge Brierly, which, as he sat + there, reflective, he found admirable, besides her vivid, + vigorous young beauty. He could not bring himself, as he sat + thinking of the two girls, widely separated as they were in the + great social plane, unevenly matched as they had been in early + training, to admit that the whole advantage was upon the side + of Barbara Holton.</p> + + <p>And above him, in her lonely little cabin on the towering + rock, upon all sides of which the mountain-torrent, making it + an isle of safety for her there in the wilderness, roared + rythmically, the mountain maiden who so occupied his thoughts + was busy with her crude wardrobe.</p> + + <p>In complete dissatisfaction she put aside, at length, every + garment of her own which she possessed as unsuitable for the + great day when she was to meet the bluegrass gentlefolk.</p> + + <p>Then, remembering suddenly an old chest which held her + mother's wedding finery, she strained her fine young muscles as + she dragged it out of storage; and sitting on the floor beside + it where the great blaze of pine-knots in the big + "mud-and-broke-rock" fireplace lighted it and her with + flickering brilliance, she went through it with reverent + fingers, searching, searching for such garments and such + adornments as it might hold to make her fit to meet the friends + of the young lowlander who had captured her imagination with + his bravery, resource and courtesy.</p> + + <p>There were a few things in the chest which pleased her, and + she smiled as she discovered them, smiled as she tried them on, + smiled as she saw the image wearing them in the cracked mirror + by the side of the big fireplace. She had to make experiments + with dripping tallow dips before she got a light which would + enable her to get the full effect of an ornate old poke-bonnet + which was the chief treasure from the chest, but finally she + did so, and exclaimed in pleasure as she managed it.</p> + + <p>It was, indeed, a charming picture which she saw there in + the glass—a face with rosy cheeks, bright eyes, red lips + set off with softly waving auburn hair and framed delightfully + in the old arch of shirred red silk—and when she took it + off, at last, she was convinced that one, at least, of her big + problems had been solved. She had a bonnet, certainly, which + was as lovely as the finest thing that any bluegrass belle + could wear. There was not the slightest doubt that all its + shirring was of real, <i>real</i> silk! She had run her fingers + over it caressingly, delighted by its sheen and gloss when she + had been a little girl; now she fondled it with loving touch, + high hopes. Surely no young lady visitor, even from the far off + and to her mysterious bluegrass could have anything much finer + than that bonnet with its silken facings! She tied the wide + strings underneath her chin in a great, flaring bow, and peeped + forth from the cavernous depths of the arched "poke" with quite + unconscious coquetry, flirting, with the keenest relish and + most completely childish pleasure with the charming creature + whom she saw reflected on the little mirror's cracked, + imperfect surface.</p> + + <p>It was while she stood thus, innocently coquetting with her + own delightful picture, that a great plan for the plenishment + of her otherwise imperfect wardrobe popped into her active, + searching mind. Carefully she considered this, first before the + glass and then, with feet crossed and clasped hands between her + knees, before the roaring fire of resinous pine-knots in the + old fireplace.</p> + + <p>Having finally decided that it was a good one, she went + about the cabin seeing to the fastenings of doors and windows, + wholly unafraid despite her solitude. There was but one way of + approaching this, her fastness in the rocks, and the bridge, + had been drawn up for the night. Safe she was as any Rhenish + baron in his moated stronghold.</p> + + <p>Conscious that a busy day was looming large before her, she + now blew out her candles and crept into her little curtained + bed, to dream, there, vividly, of haughty beauties from the + bluegrass staring in astonishment as they first glimpsed the + beauty of a little mountain girl in such a gorgeous outfit as + they had not in all their pampered lives conceived; of lovely + aunts who smiled with pleasure when they saw their handsome + nephews step up to this splendid maiden and take her hands in + theirs; of wondrous youths—ah, these images were never + absent from the scenes her fancy painted!—who scorned the + haughty bluegrass beauties in favor of the freckled little + fists of those same brilliant mountain maidens, and, lo! by + taking those same freckled fists in theirs, removed the + freckles and the callouses of work as if by magic, making them + as white and fine—aye, whiter, finer!—than the + haughty bluegrass beauty's. And in her dreams, too, was a + gallant horseman, wise in equine ways, who came to her with + handsome chargers trailing from fair-leather lead straps to + present her with the thoroughbreds because her little, shaggy + pony limped.</p> + + <p>Queer fancies of the strange life of the lowlands which he + had described to her, flashed, also, through her ignorant but + active brain in fascinating visions. She thought she saw the + houses on the tops of houses which he had described to her, in + efforts to assist her to imagine structures more elaborate than + the little, single storied cabins which were all that she had + ever seen. Strange conceptions of the railroad, with its + monstrous engines puffing smoke and fire would have been + terrifying had there not been, ever at her side as dreams + revealed them, a stalwart youth in corduroys to bear her from + their path through rings of burning thickets.</p> + + <p>Again she trembled in imagination at the thought of meeting + the fine ladies who would be dressed with such elaboration and + impressive elegance; but each time, when her dream seemed + actually to lead her to them, there he was to help her through + the great ordeal with heartening smiles and comforting + suggestions.</p> + + <p>Her sleep was restless, but delightful. Once she woke and + left her bed to peer out of the window, wondering if, by + chance, she might not glimpse a light in Layson's camp far down + the mountain-side. She was disappointed when she found she + could not, but went back to bed to find there further + compensating dreams.</p> + + <p>There might have been still greater compensation for her had + she known that at the very moment when she peered out through + the darkness, looking for some vagrant glimmer of a light from + Layson's camp, he had, himself, just gone back to his cabin + after having stood a long time staring through the darkness + toward her own small cabin in its fastness.</p> + + <p>He was thinking, thinking, thinking. The little mountain + maid had strangely fascinated the highly cultivated youth from + the far bluegrass. He did not know quite what to make of the + queer way in which her fresh and lovely, girlish face, obtruded + itself constantly into his thoughts. And as for the haughty + bluegrass belle whom poor Madge dreaded so—he did not + think of her, at all, save, possibly, with half acknowledged + annoyance at the fact that she was coming to spy out his + wilderness and those who dwelt therein. He would have been a + little happier if he could have remained there, undisturbed, + for a time longer.</p> + + <p>Day had not dawned when Madge awoke. The sun, indeed, had + just begun to poke the red edge of his disc above Mount Nebo, + when, having built her fire and cooked her frugal breakfast, + she loosed the rope which held the crude, small draw-bridge up + and lowered the rickety old platform until it gave a pathway + over the deep chasm and carried her to the mainland, ready for + the journey to the distant cross-roads store.</p> + + <p>Dew, sparkling like cut diamonds, cool as melting ice, was + everywhere in the brilliant freshness of the morning; the birds + were busy with their gossip and their foraging, chattering + greetings to her as she passed; in her pasture her cow, Sukey, + had not risen yet from her comfortable night posture when she + reached her. The animal looked up gravely at her, chewing + calmly on her cud, plainly not approving, quite, of such a very + early call. While the girl sat on the one-legged stool beside + her, sending white, rich, fragrant streams into the resounding + pail, her shaggy Little Hawss limped up, nosing at her pocket + for a turnip, which he found, of course, abstracted cleverly + and munched.</p> + + <p>Having finished with the cow she set the milk in a + fence-corner to wait for her return, and, when she left the + lot, the pony followed her, making a difficult, limping way + along the inside of the rough stump-fence until he came to a + cross barrier. Then, as he saw that she was going on and + leaving him behind, he nickered lonesomely, and, although she + planned, that day to accomplish many, many things, and, in + consequence, was greatly pressed for time, she went back to him + and petted him a moment and then found another turnip for him + in her pocket.</p> + + <p>The journey which began, thus, with calls on her four-footed + friends, was solitary, afterward, although in the narrow + road-bed, here and there, she saw impressions of preceding + footsteps, big and deep. They aroused her curiosity, and with + keen instinct of the woods she studied one of them elaborately. + Rising from her pondering above it she decided that Joe Lorey + had gone on before her, and wondered what could possibly have + sent him down the trail so early in the morning. When she noted + that his trail turned off at the cross-roads which might lead + to Layson's camp (or other places) her heart sank for a moment. + She realized how bitterly the mountaineer felt toward the + bluegrass youth whom he considered his successful rival and she + hoped that trouble would not come of it. She did not love Joe + Lorey as he wished to have her love him, but she had a very + real affection for him, none the less. And—and—she + did—she did—she <i>did</i>—this morning she + acknowledged it!—love Layson. The matter worried her, + somewhat. Trouble between the men was more than possible, she + knew; but, on reflection, she decided that Joe had not been + bound for Layson's camp, but, by a short cut, to the distant + valley. This alone would have explained his very early start. + He was not one to seek to take his enemy while sleeping, and + she knew and knew he knew that the lowlander slept late. Lorey + would not do a thing dishonorable. She put the thought of + trouble that day from her, therefore, yielding gladly to the + joyous and absorbing magic of the growing, splendid + morning.</p> + + <p>The rising sun, with its ever changing spectacle, + exhilerating, splendid, awe-inspiring, there among the + mountains, raised her spirits as she travelled, and drove + gloomy thoughts away as it drove off the brooding mists which + clung persistently, tearing themselves to tattered ribbons ere + they would loose their hold upon the peaks beyond the valley + and behind her.</p> + + <p>A feeling of elation grew in her—elation born of her + abounding health, fine youth, the glory of the scene, the high + intoxication of first love.</p> + + <p>She beguiled the way with mountain ballads, paused, here and + there, to pluck some lovely flower, accumulating, presently, a + nosegay so enormous as to be almost unwieldy, whistled to the + birds and smiled as they sent back their answers, laughed at + the fierce scolding of a squirrel on a limb, heard the doleful + wailing of young foxes and crept near enough their burrow to + see them huddled in the sand before it, waiting eagerly for + their foraging mother and the breakfast she would bring.</p> + + <p>When the trail crossed a clear brook she paused upon the + crude, low bridge and watched the trout dart to and fro beneath + it; where it debouched upon a hill-side of commanding view she + stopped there, breathing hard from sheer enjoyment of the glory + of the prospect spread before her in the valley.</p> + + <p>She was very happy, as she almost always was of summer + mornings. The mountain air, circulating in her young and sturdy + lungs, was almost as intoxicating as strong wine and made the + blood leap through her arteries, thrill through her veins.</p> + + <p>The worries of the night before seemed, for a time, to have + been groundless. She ceased to fear her meeting with the + bluegrass gentlefolk and looked forward to it with real + confidence and pleasure. Her confidence in Layson was + abounding, and she assured herself till the thought became + conviction that he never would permit her to subject herself to + anything which properly could be humiliating.</p> + + <p>The problem of her garb, too, began to seem far less + insoluble than it had seemed the night before. She felt + certain, as she travelled with her springing step, that she + would find it possible to meet creditably the great emergency + with what she had at home and could discover at the little + general-store which she was bound for.</p> + + <p>When she reached the tiny, mud-chinked structure at the + cross-roads, though, and caught her first glimpse of its + lightly burdened shelves, her heart sank for an instant. Could + it be possible that from its stock she would be able to select + material with which she could compete with folk from the far + bluegrass in elegance of garb?</p> + + <p>But after she had made investigation and had interested in + her project the lank mountain-woman who presided at the + counter, she lost fear of the result. Together they made + careful study of the fashion-papers which the woman had + preserved and which the girl had, the night before, remembered + with such vividness. Through discussion and reiterated + reassurance from her friend, she finally arrived at the + decision that with what she had at hand at home and what she + could buy here, she could prepare herself to meet the elegant + lowlanders with a fairly ample rivalry.</p> + + <p>There were few bolts of cloth, of whatever quality or + character in the pitiful little general-store's stock which + both women did not finger speculatively that morning; there was + not a piece of pinchbeck jewelry in the small showcase which + they did not study carefully. Especially Madge dwelt on combs, + for Layson, once, had mentioned combs as parts of the adornment + of the women whom he knew. There in the mountains young girls + did not wear them, save of the "circular" variety, designed to + hold back "shingled" tresses. But from underneath a box of + faded gum-drops and the store's one carton of cigars, came some + of imitation tortoise-shell, gilt ornamented, of the sort old + ladies sometimes stuck into their hirsute knots for mountain + "doings" of great elegance, and the best of these Madge bought. + Also she bought lace—great quantities of it, although, + even after she had made the purchase, she had some doubt of + just what she would do with it; she also had some doubt about + its quality, for in the chest at home there had been lace, + ripped from her mother's wedding gown, of far different and + more convincing texture and design. She realized, however, that + what was there must be what must suffice and purchased nearly + all the woman had of cheap, machine-made mesh and home-worked, + coarse-threaded tatting.</p> + + <p>She could not manage gloves. The store had never had gloves + in its stock designed for anything but warmth, and, although + Layson had explained to her, in answer to her curious + pleadings, that the girls he knew down in the bluegrass + sometimes wore gloves covering their bare arms to the elbows, + she gave up the hope of finding anything of that sort without a + visit to the distant valley town, and this was quite + impossible, now that her pony had gone lame, so she sighed and + gave up gloves entirely.</p> + + <p>But she bought ribbons by the bolt, some gay + silk-handkerchiefs, a little of the less obtrusive of the + jewelry, and needles, thread and such small trifles by the + score to be utilized in making alterations in the finery from + her dead mother's treasure chest at home there in the mountain + cabin. It was with heart not quite so doubtful of her own + ability to shine a bit, that, after she had borrowed every + fashion-plate the woman owned (many of them ten years old; not + one of them of later date than five years previous), she set + out upon the long and weary homeward way.</p> + + <p>Instinctively as she progressed she searched the soft mud in + the shadowed places of the road, the soft sand wherever it + appeared, for signs that those great foot-marks which she had + thought she could identify as Lorey's in the morning, had + returned while she was at the store. Nowhere was there any + trace that this had happened, and again she thrilled with + apprehension. Almost she made a detour by the road which led to + Layson's camp to make quite sure that all was right with the + young "foreigner," but this idea she abandoned as much because + she felt that such a visit would necessitate an explanation + which she would dislike to make, as because her many burdens + would have made the way a long and difficult one to tread. How + could she tell Layson that Joe Lorey might resent his helping + her to study, might resent the other hours which they had spent + so pleasantly among the mountain rocks and forest trees + together, might, in short, be jealous of him?</p> + + <p>Her shy, maiden soul revolted at the thought and perforce + she gave investigation up, her thoughts, finally, turning from + the really remote chance of a difficulty between the men to the + pleasanter task of carrying on her planning for new gowns and + small accessories of finery.</p> + + <p>The homeward way was longer than the journey down had been, + because of her new burdens and the frequently steep mountain + slopes which she must climb, but she travelled it without much + thought of this.</p> + + <p>Never in her life had come excitement equal to that which + possessed her as she thought about the visitors, longed to make + a good impression and not shame her friend, wondered how the + bluegrass ladies would be dressed, would talk, would act, and + what they all would think of her. She had decided, in advance, + that she would like Miss Alathea, aunt of her woodland + instructor; she knew positively that she would like the doughty + colonel, lover of god horses, barred from racing by his love + for Frank's inexorable aunt.</p> + + <p>But the other members of the party he had told + about—the Holtons—she was not so sure that she + would care for them. Frank, himself, when he had told her of + them, had spoken of the father without much enthusiasm, and she + felt quite sure that she could never like the daughter. She had + noticed, she believed, that when it came to talk of her her + friend had hesitated with embarrassment. Could it be possible + that this young lady who had had the chances she, herself, had + been denied, for education and for everything desirable, would + seem to him, when she appeared upon the scene, less lovely, + less desirable, than a simple little mountain maid like poor + Madge Brierly? The thought seemed quite incredible and the + worry of it quite absorbed her for a time and drove away + forebodings about the possible hatred of Joe Lorey for Layson + and his possible expression of resentment. She even ceased her + wonderings about the footsteps which had gone down the road, + that morning, and which, so far as she could see, had not come + back again.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_VI"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER VI</h2><br> + + + <p>They were, indeed, the great imprints of Joe Lorey's + hob-nailed boots, quite as she suspected. Long before the sun + had risen the young mountaineer, distressed by worries which + had made his night an almost sleepless one, had risen and + wandered from his little cabin, lonelier in its far solitude, + even than the girl's. For a time he had crouched upon a stump + beneath the morning stars with lowering brows, sunk deep in + harsh, resentful thought, forgetful of the falling dew, the + chill of the keen mountain air, of everything, in fact, save + the gnawing apprehension that the "foreigner," who had invaded + this far mountain solitude might, with his better manners, + infinitely better education and divers other devilish wiles of + the low country, snatch from him the prize which he had grown + up longing to possess.</p> + + <p>The youthful mountaineer's distress was not without its + pathos. He loved the girl, had loved her since they had been + toddling children playing in the hills together. Never for an + instant had his firm devotion to her wandered to any other of + the mountain girls; never for an instant had he had any hope + but that of, some day, winning her. That he recognized the real + superiority of Layson made his worry the more tragic, for it + made it the more hopeless.</p> + + <p>A dull resentment thrilled him, not only against this man, + but against the whole tribe of his people, who were, in these + uncomfortable days, invading the rough country which, to that + time, had been the undisputed domain of the mountaineer. He + thought with bitterness about the growing valley towns, which + he had sometimes visited on court days when some mountain man + had been haled there to trial for moonshining or for a feud + "killing." He did not understand those lowland people who + assumed the right to dictate to him and his kind as to the + lives which they should lead in their own country, and he hated + them instinctively. Vaguely he felt the greater power which + education and a rubbing of their elbows with the progress of + the world had given them and definitely resented it. Scotch + highlander never felt a greater hatred and distrust of lowland + men than does the highlander of the old Cumberlands feel for + the people who have claimed the rich and fertile bottom lands, + filled the towns which have sprung up there, established the + prosperity which has, through them, advanced the state. The + mountain men of Tennessee and of Kentucky are almost as + primitive, to-day, as were their forefathers, who, early in the + great transcontinental migration, dropped from its path and + spread among the hills a century ago, rather than continue with + the weary march to more fertile, fabled lands beyond.</p> + + <p>It had not been, as Madge had feared, his definite hatred of + Frank Layson which had started him upon the road so early in + the morning, but, rather, an unrest born of the whole problem + of the "foreigners'" invasion of the mountains. His restless + discontent with Layson's presence had left him ready for + excitement over wild tales told in store and cabin of what the + young man's fellows were doing in the valley. He had determined + to go thither for himself, to see with his own eyes the + wonder-workers, although he hated both the wonders and the men + who were accomplishing them.</p> + + <p>What did the mountain-country want of railroads? What did it + want of towns? The railroads would but bring more interlopers + and in the towns they would foregather, arrogant in their firm + determination to force upon the men who had first claimed the + country their artificial rules and regulations. Timid in their + fear of those they sought to furtively dislodge and of the + rough love these men showed of a liberty including license, + they would huddle in their storied buildings, crowd in their + trammelled streets, work and worry in their little offices + absurdly, harmfully to the rights of proper men. Like other + mountaineers Joe had small realization of the advantages of + easy interchange of thought and the quick commerce which come + with aggregation. He thought the concentration of the townsfolk + was a sign of an unmanly dread of those first settlers whom + they wished to drive away unjustly, subjugate and ruin.</p> + + <p>Throughout the mountains blazed a fierce resentment of the + railroad builders' presence and their work; in no heart did it + burn more fiercely than in poor Joe Lorey's, for the fear + obsessed him that a member of the army of invaders had + succeeded in depriving him of the last chance of getting that + which, among all things on earth, he longed for + most—Madge Brierly's love. He did not stop to think that + before the "foreigner" had come the girl had more than once + refused to marry him, begging him to remain her good, kind + friend. Such episodes, in those days, had not in the least + disheartened him. He had always thought that in the end the + girl <i>would</i> "have him." But now he was convinced his + chance was gone, his last hope vanished. The "foreigner" had + fascinated Madge, made him look cheap and coarse, uncouth and + undesirable.</p> + + <p>As he had walked along the roads which, later in the + morning, Madge had followed, he had frowned blackly at the + sunrise and the waking birds, kicked viciously at little sticks + and stones which chanced along his way. Never a smile had he + for chattering squirrel or scampering chipmunk; fierce, + repellant was the brown brow of the mountaineer, despite the + glory of the morning, and black the heart within him with sheer + hatred of Frank Layson and the class he represented.</p> + + <p>His journey was much longer than the girl's, for it did not + end till he had reached the rude construction camp of the + advancing railroad builders in the valley far below the little + mountain-store. There he gazed at what was going on with a + child's wonder, which, at first, almost made him lose his + memory of what he thought his wrongs, but, later, aggravated it + by emphasizing in his mind his own great ignorance.</p> + + <p>Through a tiny temporary town of corrugated iron shanties, + crude log-and-brush and rough-plank sheds, white canvas tents, + ran the raw, heaped earth of the embankment. About it swarmed a + thousand swarthy laborers, chattering in a tongue less easy to + his ears than the harsh scoldings of the squirrels he had seen + while on his way. Back behind them stretched two lines of + shining rails, which, even as he watched, advanced, advanced on + the embankment, being firmly spiked upon their cross-ties so as + to form a highway for the cars which brought more dirt, more + dirt, more dirt to send the raw embankment on ahead of + them.</p> + + <p>At first the puffing, steam-spitting, fire-spouting + locomotive with its deafening exhaust and strident whistle, + clanging bell and glowing fire-box actually frightened him. As + he stood close by the track and it came on threateningly, he + backed away, his rifle held in his crooked arm, ready for some + great emergency, he knew not what. A laborer laughed at him, + and his hands instinctively took firmer grip upon the rifle. + The laborer stopped laughing.</p> + + <p>Some lessons of the temper of the mountaineers already had + been learned along the line of that new railroad, and, driven + from his wrath by the appearance of new marvels, Joe, at + greater distance, sat upon a stump and watched, wide-eyed, and + undisturbed, unridiculed.</p> + + <p>For a long time his resentment wholly drowned itself in + wonder at the puzzle of the engines, the mechanism of the + dump-cars, the wondrous working of the small steam crane which + lifted rails from flat-cars, and, as a strong man guided them, + dropped them with precision at the time and place decided on + beforehand. He noted how the men worked in great gangs, subject + to the orders of one "boss," a phenomenon of organization he + had never seen before, with unwilling admiration.</p> + + <p>But presently, from a point well in advance of that where + rails already had been laid and upon which his attention had + been concentrated because of the machinery there, there came a + mighty boom of dynamite. It startled him so greatly that he + sprang up, bewildered, ready for whatever might be coming, but + wholly at a loss as to just what the threatening danger might + be. His fright gave rise to jeering laughter from the men who + had been watching with a covert eye the rough, determined + looking mountaineer, squatting on the stump with rifle on his + arm. He turned on them so fiercely that they shrank back, + terrified by the look they saw in his grey eyes.</p> + + <p>Then, noting that the noise had not appalled them in the + least and assuming that what was surely safe for them was safe + enough for him, he sauntered down the line, attempting to seem + careless in his walk, until he reached the gang which was busy + at destruction of a high, obstructive cropping of grey + granite.</p> + + <p>For hours he sat there watching them with curiosity. He saw + them pierce the rocks with hammered drills; he saw them then + put in a small, round, harmless looking paper cylinder which, + of course, he knew held something like gunpowder; he saw them + tamp it down with infinite care, leaving only a protruding + fuse; he saw them light the fuse and scamper off to a safe + distance while he watched the sputtering sparks run down the + fuse, pause at the tamping, then, having pierced it, disappear. + The great explosions which succeeded were, at first, a little + hard upon his nerves, but he saw that those who compassed them + did not flinch when they came, and, after he had dodged + ridiculously at the first, received the second with a greater + calm, keyed himself to almost motionless reception of the + third, and managed to sit listening to the fourth with + self-possession quite as great as theirs, his face impassive + and his frame immovable.</p> + + <p>He noted with amazement the great force of the infernal + power the burning fuses loosed, and knew, instinctively, that + the explosive was a stronger one than that with which he had + been thoroughly familiar since his earliest + childhood—gunpowder. He wondered mightily what it could + be, and, finally, summoned courage to inquire of one of the + swart laborers.</p> + + <p>These were the first words he had spoken that day, and, + although the man was courteous enough in answering, "Dynamite," + he thought he saw a smile upon his face of veiled derision, and + resented it so fiercely that instead of thanking him he gave + him a black look and sauntered off. But he had learned what the + explosive was; before he went away he had seen it used in + half-a-dozen ways and had a visual demonstration of the + necessity for caution in its handling. One of the young and + cocky engineers, whom he so hated, dropped by dread mischance a + heavy hammer on a stick of it, and the resulting turmoil left + him lying torn and mangled on the rocks.</p> + + <p>Lorey felt small sympathy for the man's suffering, although + he never had seen any human being mutilated thus before. Many a + man he had seen lying with a clean hole through his forehead, + the neat work of a definitely aimed bullet; assassination and + the spectacles it carried with it could not worry him: his + childhood and young manhood had been passed where "killings" + were too frequent; the man, like all the others there at work, + was his enemy, and he sorrowed for him not at all; but this + tearing, mangling laceration of human flesh and bone was + horrifying to him.</p> + + <p>Later, though, a certain comfort came to him from it. The + whole scene had impressed him and depressed him. He remembered + what Madge Brierly had said about the engineers with their blue + paper plans and their ability to read from them and work by + them. He saw them at their work, and the spectacle made him + feel inferior, which had never happened in his free, + untrammeled life of mountain independence before. There were a + dozen men about the work of the same type as Layson's, and + their calm cocksureness as they directed all these mysteries + amazed him, overwhelmed him, made him feel a sense of + littleness and unimportance which was maddening. Why should + they know all these things when he, Joe Lorey, who had lived a + decent life according to his lights, had labored with his + muscles as theirs could not labor if they tried to force them + to, had lived upon rough fare and in rough places while they + had had such "fancinesses" as he saw spread before them at + their mess-tent dinner (and crude fare enough it seemed to + them, no doubt) knew none of them? He could see no justice in + such matters and resented them with bitter heart. If their own + infernal powder had killed one of them he would not mourn. He + tried to look back at the accident with satisfaction.</p> + + <p>Had he gone down to that crude construction camp without the + jealousy of Layson in his heart, he might, possibly, have + merely gazed in wonder at the cleverness of all this work, + despite his mountaineer's resentment of the coming of the + interlopers; but, with that resentment in his heart to nag and + worry him, he achieved, before the day was over, a real hatred + of the class and of each individual in it. Layson had come up + there to his country to rob him of the girl he loved; now these + men were coming with their railroad to change the aspect of the + land he had been born to and grown up in, making it a strange + place, unfamiliar, unwelcoming and crowded. He hated every one + of them, he hated the new railroad they were building, he hated + their new-fangled and mysterious machinery which puzzled him + with intricate devices and appalled him with its power of fire + and steam.</p> + + <p>By the time the afternoon was two hours old he was in a + state of sullen fury, silent, morose, miserable on the stump + which he had chosen as his vantage point for observation. More + than once an engineer looked at him with plain admiration of + his mammoth stature in his eyes; many a town-girl, seeing him, + like a statue of The Pioneer upon a fitting pedestal, made + furtive eyes at him, for he was handsome and attractive in his + rough ensemble; but he paid no heed to any of them. He was + giving his mind over to consideration of his grievance against + these men who came, with steam and pick and shovel, dynamite + and railroad iron, invading his domain.</p> + + <p>He thought about his secret still, hidden in its mountain + fastness, and realized that this new stage of settlement's + inexorable march meant danger to it; he thought about the game + which roamed the hills and realized that with the coming of the + crowd it would soon scatter, never to return; he thought about + the girl up there, his companion in adversity, his fellow + sufferer from mutual wrong, the one thing which he had had to + love, the shining prize which it had been his sole ambition to + possess for life; he thought of her and then about the man, who + (product of the same advantages which made these men before him + clever with their blue-prints and their puffling monsters) had + come there searching profit from the land which he had never + loved or lived on, and, seeing Madge, had, Joe thoroughly + believed, exerted every wile of a superior experience to win + her from him by fair means or foul. He thought of them and + hated all of them!</p> + + <p>He was a most unhappy mountaineer who sat there on the + stump, impassive and morose as the sun progressed upon its + journey toward the western horizon. All the organized activity + in the scene about him filled him with resentment and despair. + In the hills he ever felt his strength: they had presented in + his whole lifetime few problems which he could not cope with, + conquer; but here in that construction camp he felt weak, + incompetent, saw full many a puzzling matter which he could not + understand. He watched the scene with bitter but with almost + hopeless eyes. These new forces working here at railroad + building, working in the hills to rob him of the girl he loved, + seemed pitilessly strong and terribly mysterious. He never had + felt helpless in all his life, before. It made him grind his + teeth with rage.</p> + + <p>But, though it angered him, the tense activity of the + construction camp was fascinating, too. Especially was his + attention held spellbound by the ruthless work of the advancing + blasting gangs. What power lay hidden in those tiny sticks of + dynamite! How lightly one of them had tossed that poor + unfortunate in air and left him lying mangled, broken, helpless + on the ground when it had spent its fury! <i>What a weapon one + of them would make, upon occasion</i>!</p> + + <p>This thought grew rapidly in his depressed and agitated + mind. What a weapon, what a weapon! Presently the blasting + gangs and what they did absorbed his whole attention. He no + longer paid the slightest heed to the puffing locomotives, busy + with their dump-cars, to the mysterious steam-shovel, to the + hand cars with their pumping, flying passengers. The dynamite + was greater than the greatest of them. One stick of it, if + properly applied, would blow a locomotive into junk, would tear + a dump-car, with its massive iron-work and grinding wheels, + apart and leave mere splinters!</p> + + <p>His thoughts roamed back to his home mountains and pondered + on the probable effect of this incursion on his personal + affairs. Not satisfied with tearing up the placid valley, these + foreigners would, presently, invade the very mountains in their + turn. He saw the doom of that small, hidden still which had + been his father's secret, years ago, was now his secret from + the prying eyes of law and progress. That the "revenuers," soon + or late, would get it, now that their allies were building + steel highways to swarm on, was inevitable. His heart beat fast + with a new anger, anticipatory of their coming to his + fastness.</p> + + <p>Lying not six feet from him as he sat there thinking + bitterly of all these things, the foreman of the blasting gang + had gingerly deposited a dozen sticks of dynamite upon a soft + cushion of grey blankets. Joe looked at them as they lay there, + innocent and unimpressive. If he had some of them in the hills + and the revenuers came to raid his still—</p> + + <p>The thought sprang into being in his mind with lightning + quickness and grew there with mushroom growth. Never in his + life had Lorey stolen anything, although the government would + have classed him as a criminal because he owned that hidden + still. His standards, in some things, were different from yours + and mine, but he had never stolen anything and scorned as low + beyond the power of words to tell a man who would. But now + temptation came to him. He wanted some of that explosive. + Should he buy it, its purchase by a mountaineer would certainly + attract attention and might thus precipitate the very thing he + wished to ward away—a watch of him, and, through that + espionage, discovery of his secret place among the hills. And + were not the railroad and the men who owned it robbing him by + their progression into his own country? They were robbing him + of peace and quiet, of the possibility of living on the life he + had been born to and had learned to love! One of the class + which fostered him was robbing him, he feared with a great + fear, of the sweet girl whom he loved better than he loved his + life. Surely it would be no sin, no act of real dishonesty for + him to slip down from his stump when none was looking and + secure a stick or two of the explosive!</p> + + <p>Speciously he argued this out in his mind and reached the + wrong conclusion which he wished to reach.</p> + + <p>If he could but get one of those sticks of dynamite! When + progress came, as, now, he felt convinced it would, to drive + him from his mountains and the still which made life possible + to him, he could meet it, at the start, with one of its own + weapons. That, even though he had a hundred such, he could + fight the fight successfully, could, in the end, find triumph, + he did not for an instant think. The might of the encroaching + army had impressed him, and he knew that, soon or late, he + would be forced to yield to it; but he coveted those sticks of + dynamite. One of them would give him some slight power, at + least. He acknowledged to himself that he would steal one if he + got the chance, despite his innate hatred of all pilferers. + Such theft would merely be the taking of an unimportant tribute + from the power which would, eventually, claim much, indeed, + from him.</p> + + <p>From the distance came the screaming whistle of a locomotive + pulling in along the newly built roadway to eastward. It was + followed by a flurry of excitement among all the men at work + around about him.</p> + + <p>"There comes the mail," he heard one handsome young chap + shout.</p> + + <p>He wore a suit like that which Joe had learned to hate + because Frank Layson wore it.</p> + + <p>This youth started running down the track, bright-eyed, + expectant, and a dozen others ran to follow him, leaving + blue-prints, their surveyors' instruments and other tokens of + their mysterious might of education, lying unheeded on the + ground behind them. There was much excitement. Even the rough + laborers stopped delving at their tasks for a few minutes, to + straighten from their work and stand, with curious eyes agaze + down-track.</p> + + <p>In the distance Joe saw smoke arise above the tops of the + invaded forest-trees. Then he heard the growing clangor of a + locomotive's bell, then other whistling and the approaching + rumble of steel wheels upon steel rails, the groan of brake + shoes gripping, the rattle of contracted couplings, the impact + of car-bumpers.</p> + + <p>The excitement grew among the working gangs. Even the + laborers left their tasks and started down the rough surface of + the new embankment toward the place, a quarter-of-a-mile away, + where the train would stop at the end of the crude + ballasting.</p> + + <p>Lorey sat there on his stump, apparently impassive, watching + all this flurry with resentful, discontented eyes. He himself + was infinitely curious about the coming train; but he could not + bring himself to go to see it. He had never seen a railway + train, but it somehow seemed to him that if he hurried with the + rest to meet this one it would mean a certain sacrifice of + dignity in the face of the invading conqueror. He sat there, + grimly wondering what it might be like, what the people whom it + brought were like, until, suddenly, he discovered that he was + alone. The last workman yielding to temptation, free from + supervision for the moment, had run down the bank to meet the + train, get mail, see who had come. Lying not a dozen feet away + from Joe on their grey blanket were the sticks of dynamite.</p> + + <p>Lithe, quick and silent as one of the mountain wild-cats he + had so often trailed through his domain, he slipped down from + his stump, caught up a stick of the explosive, tucked it + carefully into his game-bag, took his place again upon the + stump, impassive, calm, apparently quite unexcited.</p> + + <p>When the men came trooping back, opening letters, tearing + wrappers from their newspapers, gossipping, he still sat on the + stump as they had left him. Not one of them suspected that he + once had left it.</p> + + <p>"Bright and lively as a cigar-store Indian," he heard one + care-free youth exclaim as he went by him.</p> + + <p>He did not know what the man meant; he had never seen a + cigar-store Indian; but he knew a jibe was meant. It did not + anger him, as it would have done, a few moments earlier. Now he + had exacted his small tribute. They could stare at him and + jibe, if they were so inclined. Hidden carefully there in his + game-bag was one of their own weapons for their fight against + the wilderness, which, in course of time, might be a weapon of + the wilderness in fighting against some of them.</p> + + <p>Presently he climbed down from the stump and strolled back + along the raw embankment toward the little group still standing + near the train which had arrived.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_VII"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER VII</h2><br> + + + <p>The young moonshiner stiffened instantly as he neared the + group of newly arrived travellers, for the first word he heard + from them was the name of him whom, among all foreigners, he + hated with most bitterness. An old darky, plainly the servant + of the party, and such a darky as the mountain country had + never seen before, was inquiring of a bystander where he could + find "Marse" Frank Layson.</p> + + <p>The man of whom he asked the question had not the least + idea, nor had anyone about the railroad working. Most of the + men had never heard of Layson, and the few who had become + acquainted with him through chance meetings since he had been + stopping in his cabin in the mountains, knew most indefinitely + where the place was located. Lorey could have quickly given the + information, but had no thought of doing so. He stood, instead, + staring at the party with wondering but not good-natured eyes, + and said no word. He certainly was not the one to do a favor to + his rival or his rival's friends.</p> + + <p>The group of strangers were thrown into confusion by the + difficulty of getting news of him they sought, and, while they + discussed the matter, Lorey had a chance to study them. He + stood upon the rough plank platform, leaning on his rifle, with + the game-bag and its burden of purloined explosive hanging + slouchily beneath one arm, his coon-skin cap down well upon his + eyes, those eyes, half closed, gazing at the newcomers with all + the curiosity which they would have shown at sight of savages + from some far foreign shore.</p> + + <p>He was not the only one about the temporary railroad station + who eyed the group with curiosity and interest. Two of the + travellers were ladies from the bluegrass and scarcely one of + all the natives lingering about the workings had ever seen a + lady from the bluegrass, while, to the young surveyors and the + group of civil engineers who had, for months, been exiled by + their work among the mountains from all association with such + lovely creatures, it was a joy to stand apart and covertly gaze + at them. Many a young fellow, months away from home, who had + grasped the newspapers and letters which had come in with the + other mail with eager fingers, anxious to devour their + contents, had, after the two ladies had descended from the + train, almost forgotten his anxiety to get the news from home, + and stood there, now, with opened letters in his hands, + unread.</p> + + <p>The ladies were very worthy of attention, too. Miss Alathea + Layson, the elder of the two, was slight, beautifully groomed + despite the long and dirty trip on rough cars over the crude + road-bed of a newly graded railway. A woman whose thirtieth + birthday had been left behind some years before, she still had + all the brightness and vivacity of the twenties in her carriage + and her manner. Her voice, as it drifted to the young + moonshiner, was a new experience to him—soft, well + modulated, cultivated, it was of a sort which he had never + heard before, and, while it seemed to him affected, + nevertheless thrilled him with an unacknowledged + admiration.</p> + + <p>It was she who showed the greatest disappointment about the + general ignorance concerning Layson's whereabouts, and that + voice made instantaneous and irresistible appeal to the older + men among the party of engineers and surveyors, who, finding an + excuse in her discomfiture, flocked about her, hats off, backs + bent in humble bows, proffering assistance, three deep in the + circle.</p> + + <p>The other lady traveller, whom Miss Alathea called Miss + Barbara, more especially attracted the attention of the younger + men, and, as they stood aloof to gaze at her, held such + mountain dwellers as were near, paralyzed with wonder and + admiration. Nothing so brilliantly beautiful as she in form, + carriage, face, coloring or dress had ever been seen there in + the little valley.</p> + + <p>She was a florid girl of twenty, or, perhaps, of twenty-one + or two. Her eyes were the obtrusive feature of her face, and + she used them with a freedom which held callow youth + spellbound. Her gown was more pretentious than that of her more + elderly companion. This, of course, was justified by the + difference between their ages; but there seemed to be, beyond + this, a flaunting gayety about it and her manner which were + not, in the eyes of the older and wiser men among the group who + watched, justified by anything. It would have been a hard thing + for the most critical of them to have definitely mentioned just + what forced this strong impression on their minds, but it was + forced upon them very quickly. One of them, a cute and keen + observer as he was, of many years experience, decided the moot + point, though, and whispered his decision to a grizzled man + (the engineer in charge of the whole enterprise upon that + section of construction) who stood next him.</p> + + <p>"The elder one is of the old-time Southern aristocracy," he + said. "The younger one is one of the newcomers—her father + has made money and she is breaking in by means of it."</p> + + <p>His companion nodded, realizing that the guess was shrewd + and justified, even if it might, conceivably, be + inaccurate.</p> + + <p>"She certainly is very striking," he said, nodding, "but the + elder one is the aristocrat."</p> + + <p>The other member of the party was a big man, nearing fifty, + with a broad face on which geniality was written in its every + line, wearing the wide-brimmed Southern hat, typical long + frock-coat with flaring skirts, black trousers, somewhat + pegged, and boots of an immaculate brilliance.</p> + + <p>His voice was loud, hearty and attractive, as he made + inquiries, here and there, about the young man whom they had + hoped to find in waiting for them at the station, although they + had arrived, owing to the exigencies of travel by a new road, + not yet officially opened to traffic, a day before they had + expected to.</p> + + <p>"I suh," said this gentleman, "am Cunnel + Doolittle—Cunnel Sandusky Doolittle, and am looking for + this lady's nephew, Mr. Layson, suh. If you can tell me where + the youngster is likely to be runnin', now, you will put me + under obligations, suh."</p> + + <p>None, however, knew just how Layson could be reached. Most + of them knew him or had heard of him, but they were not certain + just where his camp in the mountains was located.</p> + + <p>"I regret, Miss 'Lethe," said the Colonel, turning to the + disappointed lady at his side, after having completed his + inquiries, "that there is no good hotel heah. If there were a + good hotel heah, I would take you to it, ma'am, and make you + comfortable. Then, ma'am, I would search this country and I'd + find him in short order. He probably did not receive my letter + saying that we would arrive to-day and not to-morrow."</p> + + <p>One of the engineers proffered to the ladies the use of his + own canvas quarters till some course of action should have been + decided on, an offer which was gratefully accepted.</p> + + <p>Soon afterward inquiries by the Colonel brought out definite + information as to the exact location of Frank's camp. A railway + teamster, also, it appeared, was starting in that direction + after ties and offered to transport a messenger as far as he + was going, directing him, then, so that he could not lose his + way. Old Neb, the darky, thereupon, was started on the + search.</p> + + <p>He was a different sort of negro from any which the mountain + folk had ever seen, and wore more airs than his "white folks." + Dressed in a black frock-coat as ornate as the Colonel's, + although its bagging shoulders showed that it had been a gift + and not made for him, his hat was a silk tile, a bit too large, + and in one hand was a gold-headed cane on which he leaned as + his old legs limped under him. Among the mountaineers about he + was an object of the keenest curiosity, although down in the + bluegrass, where old family negroes frequently were let to grow + into a childish dignity of manner after years of faithful + service and were not disturbed in their ideas of their own + importance, he would have been regarded as merely an amusing + infant of great age, reaping a reward for by-gone merits in the + careful consideration and indulgence now extended to him. His + inordinate vanity of his personal appearance and his dignity + might have given rise to smiles, down there; here there were + those upon the platform who laughed loudly as he walked away, + boasting vaingloriously, although he evidently feared the trip + with the rough teamster, that he would find "young Marse Frank" + in a jiffy and have him there in no time.</p> + + <p>It was while the aged negro was climbing somewhat + difficultly to the side of the good-natured railroad teamster + who had promised to give him a lift upon his way and then + supply directions for his further progress, that Joe Lorey, who + had been an interested spectator of the affair, contemptuous, + amused by the old darky, saw, coming through the crowd behind + him and well beyond the range of the newly arrived strangers, + the roughly dressed, mysterious old man whom he had seen, once + or twice, up in the mountains, whom Madge had seen, tapping + with his little hammer at the rocks. Lorey looked toward him + with a face which scowled instinctively. He disliked the man, + as he disliked all foreigners who dared invasion of his + wilderness; he would have feared him, too, had he known that it + had really been him and not young Layson and Madge Brierly who + had made the noise there in the thicket which had disturbed + him, that day, when, armed to meet a raid of revenuers, he had + rushed out from his still to find the girl and the young + bluegrass gentleman in a close company which worried him almost + as much as the appearance of the officers, in fact, could have + done.</p> + + <p>He was a "foreigner," this old man with the manner of the + mountains, and, sometimes, their speech, for he wore bluegrass + clothes; therefore he was one to be classed with the others in + his bitter hatred. He was standing almost in his path, and, by + stepping to one side, could have saved him a small detour round + a pile of boxed supplies; but he did not move an inch, + stiffening, instead, delighted at obstructing him.</p> + + <p>The old man, as he went around, looked sharply at him, and + then smiled, almost as if he recognized him and could read his + thoughts; almost as if he realized the man's instinctive hate; + almost as if he felt a certainty, deep in his soul, that so + great was the disaster hovering above the mountaineer that it + would be scarcely worth his own while, now, even to think + resentfully of this small insult.</p> + + <p>A moment later, though, and the expression of his face had + changed completely. The first glimpse of the new come party + standing, now, deep in discussion of the railway work, before + the engineer's white, hospitable tent, made him start back in + amazement.</p> + + <p>For an instant he stood wavering, as if he were considering + the plan of trying to depart without approaching them or being + seen by them, but then he shrugged his shoulders and advanced, + trying to show upon his face surprised good-nature.</p> + + <p>"Wall, Colonel Doolittle!" he cried. "And you, Miss Layson, + and—why, there's Barbara!"</p> + + <p>"<i>Father!"</i> said the girl, in absolute amazement, + hurrying toward him.</p> + + <p>"Ah, Mr. Holton!" said Miss 'Lethe, bowing to him as the + Colonel, plainly not too greatly pleased by the necessity for + doing so, advanced toward him with extended hand.</p> + + <p>"What brings you all up here?" asked Holton, after the + greetings had been said.</p> + + <p>"We came up to see Frank and the beauties of his + long-forgotten land," Miss 'Lethe answered, in her softly + charming voice. "He has property up here, you know, which has + been for years a family possession, but which has been + considered valueless, or almost so. When he learned that this + new railway was to pass quite close to it, he decided to + investigate it carefully and see just what it really amounted + to."</p> + + <p>Holton smiled a little wryly as she completed her + explanation. "He's stayed here, studyin' it, a long time, ain't + he?"</p> + + <p>"Yes," Miss Alathea answered. "When he once reached here he + seemed to find new beauties in the country every day. He wrote + us the most glowing letters of it, and these letters + and—and—other things, decided me to come and see + him and the property he is so fond of. The Colonel was polite + enough to volunteer as escort, your daughter to come as a + companion."</p> + + <p>Holton winked mysteriously at Colonel Doolittle. "You come + at the right time," said he. "I'll have some things to tell you + of this country and just what the railroad's going to do for it + if you should care to listen."</p> + + <p>The Colonel's eyes, plainly those of one who read the tale + of character upon the faces of the people whom he met, looked + at him with no great favor, but he smiled. "We've already + learned some things which have astonished us," he said. Then, + though, despite the fact that his remark had greatly aroused + Holton's curiosity, evidently, he changed the subject somewhat + abruptly, and turned grandiosely to Miss 'Lethe.</p> + + <p>"May I offuh you my ahm, ma'am, for a little stroll about + heah?" he inquired. "The greatest disadvantage which I see + about this country is the lack of level places big enough to + put a race-track in, ma'am. So far as I can see from lookin' + round me, casual like, you couldn't run a quahtuh, heah, + without eitheh goin' up a hill or comin' down one."</p> + + <p>"<i>Isn't</i> it rough!" said Barbara, with a gesture of + aversion which seemed a bit affected.</p> + + <p>Holton looked at her with what was plainly admiration. It + was clear enough that, in a way, he was fond of his showy + daughter. He ran his eye with satisfaction over her costume, + from head to foot, and nodded.</p> + + <p>"You ain't never seen much of rough life, now have you, + Barbara?" He turned, then, to Miss Alathea. "These young folks, + raised the way we raise 'em, nowadays, get thinkin' that the + whole world has been smoothed out for their treadin'—an' + they ain't far wrong. We <i>do</i> smooth out the world for + 'em. Now, there's your nephew, Frank; he—"</p> + + <p>"Oh, he <i>likes</i> it, here, as I have said," she + answered.</p> + + <p>"But it is so—<i>uncouth</i>" said Barbara, plainly + for the benefit of one or two admiring youths from the + surveying party, who were standing near. "And some of the + people look so absolutely vicious—some of the natives, I + mean, of course, you know. Now look at that young fellow, over + there!"</p> + + <p>The girl had nodded toward Joe Lorey, who was standing not + far off, observing them with an unwavering and disapproving, + almost definitely hostile stare.</p> + + <p>"He looks," the girl went on, "as if he hated us and would + be glad to do us harm. So violent!"</p> + + <p>"He's from up the mountains," one of the young engineers + said, glancing toward him. "It's funny how those mountain + people <i>all</i> hate us. You see, they say, the hills around + about here are all full of moonshiners and they believe the + coming of the railroad will bring with it law and order and + that when that comes, of course, their living will be + gone."</p> + + <p>"Moonshiners?" said Barbara. "Pray, what are + moonshiners?"</p> + + <p>Her father grimly smiled again. He knew that she knew quite + as well what moonshiners were as any person in the group, but + her affected ignorance of rough things and rough men amused + him.</p> + + <p>"Distillers of corn whisky who refuse to pay their taxes to + the government," the youth replied. "The revenue officials have + had dreadful times with them, here in the Cumberland, for + years. Sometimes they have really bloody battles with them, + when they try to make a raid."</p> + + <p>"How terrible!" said Barbara, and shuddered carefully. She + looked again at Lorey, who, conscious that he was the subject + of their conversation and resentful of it, stared back boldly + and defiantly. "And do you think that he—that very young + man there—can possibly have ever actually <i>killed</i> a + man?"</p> + + <p>The engineer laughed heartily. "That he may <i>possibly</i> + have killed a man," said he, "there is no doubt. I don't know + that he has, however, and it is most improbable. I don't even + know that he's a moonshiner."</p> + + <p>Among the others who had left the train, which, now, had + been switched off to a crude side-track, the cars left there + and the locomotive started at the handling of dirt-dump-cars, + were two tall, sunburned strangers, whom Miss Alathea, who had + noted them as she did everyone, had classed as engineers or + surveyors, but who had not, when they had arrived, mingled with + the other men employed on the construction of the railroad. + While the young man and Barbara were talking about moonshiners, + one of them had drifted near and he gave them a keen glance at + the first mention of the word. Now he turned, but turned most + casually, to follow with his own, their glances at Joe Lorey. + Then he sauntered off, and, as he passed Holton, seemed to + exchange meaning glances with him.</p> + + <p>Soon afterward Lorey turned away. The day was getting on + toward noon. The long tramp back to his lonely cabin in the + mountains would consume some hours. The sight of all these + strangers, all this work on the new railroad worried him, made + him unhappy, added to and multiplied the apprehension which for + weeks had filled his heart about Madge Brierly and young + Layson. He battled with a mixture of emotions. There was no + ounce of cowardice, in Joe. Never had he met a situation in his + life before which he had feared or which had proved too strong + for him. All his battles, so far, and they had been many and + been various, as was inevitable from the nature of his secret + calling, had resulted in full victories for his mighty strength + of body or his quick foot, certain hand, keen knowledge of the + mountains and the woods resource and wit that went with these; + but now things seemed to baffle him. His soul was struggling + against acknowledgment of it, while his mind continually told + him it was true. Everything seemed, now, to be against him.</p> + + <p>He knew, but would not admit, even to himself, that the + march of progress must inevitably drive out of existence the + still hidden in his cave and make the marketing of its illicit + product doubly hazardous, nay, quite impossible. He knew that + he must give it up; he realized that real good sense would send + him home, that day, to bury the last trace of it in some spot + where it never could be found again. But his stubborn soul + revolted at the thought of being beaten, finally, by this + civilization which he hated; he would not admit, even in his + mind, that it had bested him, or could ever best him. He ground + his teeth and pressed his elbow down against the stock of his + long rifle with a force which ground the gun into his side + until it hurt him. He would never give up, never! Let them try + to get him if they could, these lowlanders! He would not be + afraid of them. His father had not been—and he would + never be.</p> + + <p>And there was a voice within him which kept whispering as + did the one which counselled the abandonment of his illegal + calling, the abandonment of that other effort, infinitely + dearer to him, to win Madge Brierly's love and hand in + marriage. His common-sense assured him that she was not made + for such as he, that, while she had been born there in the + mountains there were delicacies, refinements in her which would + make her mating with his rude and uncouth strength impossible, + would make it cruelly unhappy for her, even should it come + about. But this voice he steadfastly declined to listen to, + even more emphatically than he did to that which counselled + caution in his calling. Again he ground his teeth. His heels, + when they came down upon the rocky mountain trails up which he + soon was climbing, fell on the slopes so heavily that, + constantly, his progress was followed by the rattle of small + stones down the inclined path behind him, constant little + landslides. And, at ordinary times, Joe Lorey, awkward as he + looked to be, could scale a sloping sand-bank without sending + down a sliding spoonful to betray the fact that he was moving + on it to the wild things it might startle.</p> + + <p>Heavily he resolved within his soul, against his own best + judgment, to keep up both fights and win.</p> + + <p>The dynamite which he had stolen and which nestled in his + game-sack comforted him, although he did not know how he would + use it. Many times, as he worked through the narrow trails, + jumped from stepping-stone to stepping-stone in crossing + mountain-streams, pulled himself up steep and rocky slopes by + clutching swaying branches, or rough-angled boulders, he let + his left hand slip down to the side of the old game-sack, + where, through the soft leather, he could plainly feel the + smooth, terrific cylinder.</p> + + <p>He swore a mighty mountain oath that none of the advancing + forces ever should win victory of him. If the revenuers ever + tried to get him, let God help them, for they would need help; + if Frank Layson stole his girl from him, then let God help him, + also, for even more than would the revenuers the young + bluegrass gentleman would need assistance from some mighty + power.</p> + + <p>But a fate was closing on Joe Lorey which all his uncouth + strength could not avert. As he had left the railway those two + men whom simple-minded Miss Alathea had supposed were + engineers, but who had not mingled with the throng of railway + builders had looked at Horace Holton for confirmation of their + guess. In a quick glance, so keen that they could not mistake + its meaning so instantaneous that none else could suspect that + the three men were even casual acquaintances, he had told them + they had guessed aright.</p> + + <p>They sauntered off and disappeared in the direction whence + the mountaineer had gone, and, though his feet were well + accustomed to the trails and were as expert in their climbing + as any mountaineer's for miles, these men proved more expert; + though his ear was as acute as a wild animal's, so silently + they moved that never once a hint that they were following, + ever following behind him, reached it; their endurance was as + great as his, their woods-craft was as sly as his.</p> + + <p>A fate was closing on Joe Lorey. The march of civilization + was, indeed, advancing toward his mountain fastnesses at last. + And nothing stays the march of civilization.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_VIII"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2><br> + + + <p>The afternoon was waning as Joe climbed a sudden rise and + saw before him Layson's camp.</p> + + <p>Through a cleft in the guardian range the sun's rays + penetrated red and fiery. Already the quick chill of the coming + evening had begun to permeate the air. A hawk, sailing from a + day of foraging among the hen-yards of the distant valley, flew + heavily across the sky, burdened with plunder for its little + ones, nested at the top of a black stub on the mountain-side. + Squirrels were home-going after a busy day among the trees. The + mournful barking of young foxes, anxious for their dinners, + thrilled the air with sounds of woe. Among the smaller birds + the early nesters were already twittering in minor among the + trees and thickets; a mountain-eagle cleft the air in the + hawk's trail, so high that only a keen eye could have caught + sight of him. Daylight insects were beginning to abate their + clamor, while their fellows of the night were tuning for the + evening concert. Mournfully, and very faintly, came a + locomotive's wail from the far valley.</p> + + <p>Joe Lorey paused grimly in his progress to stare at the + rough shack which housed the man he hated. He was no coward, + and he would not take advantage of the loneliness and isolation + of the spot to do him harm surreptitiously, but vividly the + thought thrilled through him that someday he would assail him. + Smoke was curling from the mud-and-stick chimney of the little + structure, and he smiled contemptuously as he thought of how + the bluegrass youth was doubtless pottering, within, getting + ready to go down into the valley to greet his fine friends and + be greeted. He had no doubt that long ere this the aged negro + had reached him with the news of their arrival. He wondered, + with a fierce leap of hope, if, possibly, their coming might + not be the signal for the man's departure from the country + where he was not wanted.</p> + + <p>This hope keenly thrilled him, for a moment, but, an instant + later, when, through the small window, he saw the youth seat + himself, alone, before a blazing fire of logs, stretch out his + legs and lounge in the comfort of the blaze, it left him. He + wondered if Layson did not intend to go down at all to meet his + friends.</p> + + <p>Just then his quick ear caught the sound of stumbling, + hurried footsteps, plainly not a mountaineer's, down in the + rough woodland, below. Instantly his muscles tautened, + instantly he brought his rifle to position; but he soon let it + fall again and smiled, perhaps, for the first time that + day.</p> + + <p>"Lawsy! Lawsy!" he could hear a scared voice muttering. + "Lawsy, I is los', fo' suah!"</p> + + <p>His smile broadened to a wide, malicious grin of + satisfaction. The black messenger who had been started with the + news, evidently had not fared well upon the way, and was, but + now, arriving. "It's that nigger wanderin' around up hyar," he + mused. And then: "I'm goin' to have some fun with him."</p> + + <p>Silently he slipped down the path by which he had so + recently ascended, and, at a good distance from the cabin, but + still well in advance of the unhappy negro, hid behind a rock, + awaiting his approach.</p> + + <p>Old Neb, advancing, scared tremendously, was talking to + himself in a loud, excited voice.</p> + + <p>"Oh, golly!" he exclaimed. "Dis am a pretty fix for a + bluegrass cullud gemman! Dis am a pretty fix—los', los' + up heah, in de midst of wolves an' painters!"</p> + + <p>Joe, from behind his rock, wailed mournfully in startling + imitation of a panther's call.</p> + + <p>The darkey almost fell prone in his fright. "Name o' + goodness!" he exclaimed. "Wha' dat? Oh—oh—dere's a + painter, now!"</p> + + <p>Joe called again, more mournfully, more ominously than + before.</p> + + <p>Neb's fright became a trembling panic. "Hit's a-comin' + closer!" he exclaimed. "I feel as if de debbil's gwine ter git + me!" He stooped and started on a crouching run directly toward + the rock behind which Joe was hiding.</p> + + <p>As the old man would have passed, Joe jumped out from his + ambush, and, bringing his right hand down heavily upon the + darky's shoulder, emitted a wild scream, absolutely terrifying + in its savage ferocity. With a howl Neb dropped upon his knees, + praying in an ecstasy of fear.</p> + + <p>"Oh, good Mister Painter, good Mister Debbil—" he + began.</p> + + <p>Inasmuch as he was not devoured upon the instant, he finally + ventured to look up and Joe laughed loudly.</p> + + <p>So great was the relief of the old negro that he did not + think of anger. A sickly smile spread slowly on his face. "De + Lawd be praised!" he said. "Why, hit's a man!"</p> + + <p>"Reckon I am," said Joe. "Generally pass for one." Then, + although he knew quite well just why the man had come, from + whom, for whom, he asked sternly to confuse him: "What + <i>you</i> doin' in these mountings?"</p> + + <p>"I's lookin' fo' my massa, young Marse Frank Layson, suh," + Neb answered timidly.</p> + + <p>"You needn't to go fur to find him," Lorey answered + bitterly. "You needn't to go fur to find him."</p> + + <p>The old negro looked at him, puzzled and frightened by his + grim tone and manner.</p> + + <p>"Why—why—" he began. "Is it hereabouts he hunts + fo' deer? He wrote home he was findin' good spo't in the + mountains, huntin' deer."</p> + + <p>Joe's mouth twitched ominously, involuntarily. The mere + presence of Old Neb, there, was another evidence of the great + advantage, which, he began to feel with hopeless rage, the man + who had stolen that thing from him which he prized most highly, + had over him. The negro was his servant. Servants meant + prosperity, prosperity meant power. Backwoodsman as he was, Joe + Lorey knew that perfectly. His face gloomed in the + twilight.</p> + + <p>"Yes," he answered bitterly, "it's here he has been + huntin'—huntin' deer—the pootiest deer these + mountings ever see." Of course the old negro did not understand + the man's allusion. He was puzzled by the speech; but Joe went + on without an explanation: "But thar is danger in sech huntin'. + Your young master, maybe, better keep a lookout for + his-self!"</p> + + <p>His voice trembled with intensity.</p> + + <p>In the meantime Layson was still seated thoughtfully before + his fire of crackling "down-wood," busy with a thousand + speculations. Just what Madge Brierly, the little mountain + girl, meant to him, really, he could not quite determine. He + knew that he had been most powerfully attracted to her, but he + did not fail to recognize the incongruity of such a situation. + He had never been a youth of many love-affairs. Perhaps his + regard for horses and the "sport of kings" had kept him from + much travelling along the sentimental paths of dalliance with + the fair sex. Barbara Holton, back in the bluegrass country, + had been almost the only girl whom he had ever thought, + seriously, of marrying, and he had not, actually, spoken, yet, + to her about it. When he had left the lowlands for the + mountains he had meant to, though, when he returned. There were + those, he thought, who believed them an affianced couple. Now + he wondered if they ever would be, really, and if, without + actually speaking, he had not led her to believe that he would + speak. He was astonished at the thrill of actual fear he felt + as he considered the mere possibility of this.</p> + + <p>The news which had been brought to him by mail that upon the + morrow he would see the girl again, in company with his Aunt + and Colonel Doolittle, had focussed matters in his mind. Did he + really love the haughty, bluegrass beauty? He was far from sure + of it, as he sat there in the little mountain-cabin, although + he had been certain that he did when he had left the + lowlands.</p> + + <p>It seemed almost absurd, even to his young and sentimental + mind, that one in his position should have lost his heart to an + uneducated girl like Madge, but he definitely decided that, at + any rate, he had never loved the other girl. If it was not + really love he felt for the small maiden of the forest-fire and + spelling-book, it surely was not love he felt for the + brilliant, showy, bluegrass girl.</p> + + <p>He was reflecting discontentedly that he did not know + exactly what he felt or what he wanted, when he heard Joe + Lorey's startling imitation of the panther's cry, outside, and, + rising, presently, when careful listening revealed the fact + that the less obtrusive sound of human voices followed what had + seemed to be the weird, uncanny call of the wild-beast, he went + to the door and opened it, so that he could better listen.</p> + + <p>Joe and the negro had not been in actual view of Layson's + cabin, up to that time. A rocky corner, rising at the trail's + side, had concealed it. Now they stepped around this and the + lighted door and windows of the little structure stood out, + despite increasing darkness, plainly in their view.</p> + + <p>Almost instantly old Neb recognized the silhouette of + Layson's figure there against the fire-light from within.</p> + + <p>"Marse <i>Frank</i>!" he cried. "Marse <i>Frank!</i>"</p> + + <p>Layson, startled by the unexpected sound of the familiar + voice there in the wilderness, rushed from the door, took Neb's + trembling hand and led him to the cabin.</p> + + <p>"Neb, old Neb!" he cried. "By all that's wonderful! How did + you get here alone? I thought you all were to come up + to-morrow. Where is Aunt 'Lethe, and the Colonel, + and—and—"</p> + + <p>Neb, his troubles all forgotten as quickly as a child's, + stood wringing his young master's hand with extravagant + delight. Joe Lorey disappeared like a flitting shadow of the + coming night.</p> + + <p>"Dey're all down at de railroad, suh," said Neb. "Dey're all + down at de railroad. Got heah a day befo' dey t'ought dey + would, suh, an' sent me on ahead to let you know. I been + wanderin' aroun' fo' a long time a-tryin' fo' to fin' yo'. Dat + teamster what gib me a lif', he tol' me dat de trail war cleah + from whar he dropped me to yo' cabin, but I couldn't fin' it, + suh, an' I got los'."</p> + + <p>"And the others all are waiting at the railroad for me? I + was going down to meet them to-morrow."</p> + + <p>"Dey don't expect you till to-morrow, now, suh. Ev'rybody + tol' 'em that you couldn't git dar till to-morrow. I reckon + dey'll be com'fable. Fo'ty men was tryin' fo' to make 'em so + when <i>I</i> lef." The old darky laughed. "Looked like dat dem + chaps wat's layin' out dat railroad, dar, ain't seen a woman's + face fo' yeahs an' yeahs, de way dey flocked aroun'. Ev'y tent + in de destruction camp war at deir suhvice in five + minutes."</p> + + <p>Frank was busy at the fire with frying-pan and bacon. The + old negro was worn out. The young man disregarded his uneasy + protests and made him sit in comfort while he cooked a supper + for him.</p> + + <p>"So you got lost! Who finally set you straight? I heard you + talking, there, with someone."</p> + + <p>"A young pusson, suh," said Neb, with dignity. Lorey had + befriended him, he knew, at last; but he had scared him into + panic to begin with. "A young pusson, suh," he said, "what made + me think he was a paintuh, suh, to staht with. Made me think he + was a paintuh, suh, or else de debbil, wid his howlin'."</p> + + <p>Layson laughed long and heartily. "Must have been Joe + Lorey," he surmised. "I heard that cry and thought, myself, it + was a panther. He's the only one on earth, I guess, who can + imitate the beasts so well. Where is he, now?'</p> + + <p>"Lawd knows! I see him dar, close by me, den I seed you in + de doah, an' when I looked aroun' ag'in, he had plumb faded + clean away!"</p> + + <p>"They're wonderful, these mountaineers, with their + woods-craft."</p> + + <p>"Debbil craf, mo' like," said Neb, a bit resentful, + still.</p> + + <p>Frank smiled at the thought of his dear Aunt, precise and + elegant, compelled to spend the night in a construction camp + beneath white-canvas.</p> + + <p>"What did Aunt 'Lethe think about a night in tents?" he + asked.</p> + + <p>"Lawd," said Neb, plainly trying to gather bravery for + something which he wished to say, "I didn't ax huh. Too busy + with my worryin'."</p> + + <p>"Worrying at what, Neb?"</p> + + <p>"Oveh dat Miss Holton an' her father."</p> + + <p>"Mr. Holton didn't come, too, did he?"</p> + + <p>"No; he didn't come wid us, suh; but he met us dar down by + de railroad. Wasn't lookin' for him, an' I guess he wasn't + lookin', jus' exactly, to see us. But he was dar an' now he's + jus' a membuh of ouah pahty, suh, as good as Cunnel Doolittle. + Hit don't seem right to me, suh; no suh, hit don't seem right + to me."</p> + + <p>"Why, Neb!"</p> + + <p>"An' dat Miss Barbara! She was dead sot to see you, an' Miss + 'Lethe was compelled to ax her fo' to come along. She didn't + mean to, fust off; no suh. But she had to, in de end. Den I war + plumb beat when I saw Mister Holton stalkin' up dat platfohm + like he owned it an' de railroad an' de hills, and de hull + yearth. But he's bettuh heah dan down at home, Marse Frank. He + don't <i>belong</i> down in de bluegrass."</p> + + <p>"I'm afraid you are impertinent, Neb. Don't meddle. You + always have been prejudiced against Barbara and her + father."</p> + + <p>The old negro answered quickly, bitterly. "I ain't likely to + fuhgit," said he, "dat de only blow dat evuh fell upon my back + was from his han'! I guess you rickollick as well as I do. He + cotch me coon-huntin' on his place an' strung me up. He'd jes' + skinned me dar alive if you-all hadn't heered my holler in' an' + run in."</p> + + <p>Layson was uneasy at the turn the talk had taken. "That was + years ago, Neb," he expostulated.</p> + + <p>"Don't seem yeahs ago to me, suh. Huh! De only blow dat evuh + fell upon my back! But yo' snatched dat whip out of his ban' + an' den yo' laid it, with ev'y ounce of stren'th war in yo', + right acrost his face!"</p> + + <p>Layson, unwilling to be harsh with the old man and forbid + him to say more, ostentatiously busied himself, now, about the + table with the frying-pan and other dishes, hoping, thus, to + discourage further talk of this sort.</p> + + <p>"No, suh," Neb went on with shaking head, "I jus' nachelly + don' like him. Don't like <i>either</i> of 'em. An' he, Marse + Frank, he nevuh <i>will</i> fuhgit dat blow, an' don't you + think he will!"</p> + + <p>"That's all over, long ago," said Frank, as he put the + finishing touches on the old man's supper. "And what had + Barbara to do with it? She can't help what her father + does."</p> + + <p>Neb drew up to the table with a continuously shaking head. + For months he had desired to speak his mind to his young + master, but had never dared to take so great a liberty. Now the + unusual circumstances they were placed in, the fact that he had + been lost in the mountains in his service and half scared to + death, imbued him with new boldness.</p> + + <p>"She kain't he'p what he does, suh, no," said he. "But + listen, now, Marse Frank, to po' ol' Neb. De pizen vine hit + don't b'ar peaches, an' nightshade berries—dey ain't + hulsome, eben ef dey're pooty."</p> + + <p>"Neb, stop that!" Layson commanded sharply.</p> + + <p>The old negro half slipped from the chair in which he had + been sitting wearily. Once he had started on the speech which + he had made his mind up, months ago, that, some day, he would + screw his courage up to, he would not be stopped.</p> + + <p>"Oh, honey," he exclaimed, holding out his tremulous old + hands in a gesture of appeal, while the fire-light flickered on + a face on which affection and real sincerity were plain, "I's + watched ovuh you evuh sence yo' wuh a baby, an' when I see dat + han'some face o' hers was drawin' of yo' on, it jus' nigh broke + my ol' brack heaht, it did. It did, Marse Frank, fo' suah."</p> + + <p>The young man could not reprimand the aged negro. He knew + that all he said came from the heart, a heart as utterly + unselfish and devoted in its love as human heart could be.</p> + + <p>"Oh, pshaw, Neb!" he said soothingly. "Don't worry. Perhaps + I did go just a bit too far with Barbara—young folks, you + know!—but that's all over, now." Again he wondered most + uncomfortably if this were really true, again his mind made its + comparisons between the bluegrass girl and sweet Madge Brierly. + "There's no danger that Woodlawn will have any other mistress + than my dear Aunt 'Lethe for many a long year," he concluded + rather lamely.</p> + + <p>The emotion of the ancient darky worried him. It was proof + that evidence of a love affair with Barbara Holton had been + plain to every eye, he thought.</p> + + <p>Neb now slid wholly from the chair and dropped upon his + knees close by the youth he loved, grasping his hand and + pressing it against his faithful heart.</p> + + <p>"Oh, praise de Lawd, Marse Frank; oh, praise de Lawd!" he + cried.</p> + + <p>Old Neb slept with an easier heart, that night, than had + throbbed in his old black bosom since the probability that + Barbara Holton would be a member of the party which was to + visit his young master in the mountains, had first begun to + worry him. But long after he had found unconsciousness on the + boughs-and-blanket bed which he had fashioned for himself under + Frank's direction, Layson, himself, was wandering beneath the + stars, thinking of the problem that beset him.</p> + + <p>He was sorry Barbara was coming to the mountains. Why had + his Aunt 'Lethe brought her? What would that dear lady think + about Madge Brierly, wood-nymph, rustic phenomenon? What had + Horace Holton been doing in the mountains, secretly, to have + been surprised, discomfited as Neb had said he was, at sight of + the Colonel, Miss 'Lethe and his daughter?</p> + + <p>But before he had finished the pipe which he had carried + into the crisp air of the sharp mountain night for company, his + thought had left the Holtons and were seeking (as they almost + always were, these days and nights), his little pupil of the + spelling-book, his little burden of the brush-fire flight. He + looked across the mountain-side toward where her lonely cabin + hid in its secluded fastness. There was a late light to-night + ashine from its small window.</p> + + <p>"She'll like her," he murmured softly in the night. "She'll + <i>love</i> her. Aunt 'Lethe'll understand!"</p> + + <p>And then he wondered just exactly what it was that he felt + so very certain his Aunt 'Lethe would be sure to understand. He + did not understand, himself, precisely what had happened to + him, his life-plans, heart-longings.</p> + + <p>Strolling there beneath the stars he gave no thought to poor + Joe Lorey, until, like a night-shadow, the moonshiner stalked + along the trail and passed him. Layson called to him + good-naturedly, but the mountaineer gave him no heed. Frank + stood, gazing after him in the soft darkness, in amazement. + Then a quick, suspicious thrill shot through him. The man was + bound up the steep trail toward Madge's cabin. Presently he + heard him calling. He went slowly up the trail, himself.</p> + + <p>The girl came quickly from her cabin in answer to the + shouting of the mountaineer.</p> + + <p>"What is it, Joe?" she asked.</p> + + <p>"I want a word with you. I've come a purpose," Lorey + answered sullenly.</p> + + <p>The girl was almost frightened by his manner. She had never + seen him in this mood; he had never come to her, alone, at + night, before. "Well, Joe, you'll have to wait," said she. + "I've got some things to do, to-night." Her sewing was not yet + half finished.</p> + + <p>Standing on her little bridge, she held with one hand to the + worn old rope by means of which she presently would pull it up. + She did not take Joe very seriously; in the darkness she could + not see the grim expression of his brow, the firm set of his + jaw, the clenched hands, one of which was pressed against the + game sack with his powerful plunder hidden in it. She laughed + and tried to joke, for, even though she did not guess how + serious he was, her heart had told her that some day, ere long, + there must of stern necessity be a full understanding between + her and the mountaineer, and that he would go from her, after + it, with a sore heart. In the past she had not wished to marry + him, but she had never definitely said, even to herself, that + such a thing was quite impossible for all time to come. Now she + knew that this was so, although she would not acknowledge, even + to herself, the actual reason for this certainty. No; she could + never marry Joe. She hoped that, he would never again beg her + to.</p> + + <p>"Come back some other time, when I ain't quite so busy," she + said trying to speak jokingly. "Tomorrow, or nex' week, or + Crismuss."</p> + + <p>He stood gazing at her sourly. "I'll come sooner," he said + slowly. "Sooner. An' hark ye, Madge, if that thar foreigner + comes in atween us, I'm goin' to spile his han'some face + forever!"</p> + + <p>"What nonsense you do talk!" the girl exclaimed, but her + heart sank with apprehension as the man stalked down the path. + She did not pull the draw-bridge up, at once, but stood there, + gazing after him, disturbed.</p> + + <p>Again he met Layson, still strolling slowly on the trail, + busy with confusing thoughts, puffing at his pipe. The + mountaineer did not call out a greeting, but stepped out of the + trail, for Frank to pass, without a word.</p> + + <p>"Why, Joe," said Layson, "I didn't see you. How are you?" He + held out his hand.</p> + + <p>The mountaineer said nothing for an instant, then he + straightened to his lank full height and held his own hand + close against his side. "No," he said, "I can't, I can't."</p> + + <p>Layson was astonished. He peered at him. "Why, Joe!" said + he; and then: "See here—what have I ever done to + you?"</p> + + <p>Joe turned on him quickly. "Done?" he cried. "Maybe nothin', + maybe everythin'." He paused dramatically, unconscious of the + fierce intentness of his gaze, the lithe aggressiveness of his + posture. "But I warns you, now—you ain't our kind! Th' + mountings ain't no place for you. The sooner you gits out of + 'em, the better it'll be fer you."</p> + + <p>Layson stood dumbfounded for a moment. Then he would have + said some further word, but the mountaineer, his arm pressed + tight against that old game-sack, stalked down the trail. + Suddenly Layson understood.</p> + + <p>"Jealous, by Jove!" he said. "Jealous of little Madge!" + Slowly he turned about, puffing fiercely at his pipe, his + thoughts a compound of hot anger and compassion.</p> + + <p>Madge, filled with dread of what her disgruntled mountain + suitor might be led to do by his black mood, had not yet + re-crossed her draw-bridge, but was standing by it, listening + intently, when she heard Layson's footsteps nearing. Her heart + gave a great throb of real relief. She had not exactly feared + that trouble really would come between the men, but—Lorey + came of violent stock and his face had been dark and + threatening.</p> + + <p>She saw Layson long before he knew that she was there.</p> + + <p>"Oh," she cried, relieved, "that you?"</p> + + <p>He hurried to her. "I thought you mountain people all went + early to your beds," said he, and laughed, "but I met Joe Lorey + on the trail and here you are, standing by your bridge, + star-gazing."</p> + + <p>Of course she would not tell him of her worries. She took + the loophole offered by his words and looked gravely up at the + far, spangled sky. "Yes," said she, "they're mighty pretty, + ain't they?"</p> + + <p>Layson was in abnormal mood. The prospect of his Aunt's + arrival, the certainty that something more than he had thought + had come out of his mountain sojourn, the fact that he was sure + that he regretted Barbara Holton's coming, old Neb's arrival, + and his raking up of ancient scores against the lowland + maiden's father, his meeting with Joe Lorey and the latter's + treatment of him, had wrought him to a pitch of mild + excitement. The girl looked most alluring as she stood there in + the moonlight.</p> + + <p>"My friends are in the valley and are coming up to-morrow," + he said to her. "Do you know that this may be the last time I + shall ever see you all alone?"</p> + + <p>She gasped. He had not hinted at a thing like that before. + "You ain't going back with them, are you?" she asked, her voice + a little tremulous from the shock of the surprise. "You ain't + going back with them—never to come hyar no more, are + you?"</p> + + <p>He stepped nearer to her. "Why, little one," he asked, + "would you care?"</p> + + <p>"Care?" she said with thrilling voice, and then, gaining + better self-control, tried to appear indifferent. "Why should + I?" she said lightly. "I ain't nothin' to you and you ain't + nothin' to me."</p> + + <p>His heart denied her words. "Don't say that!" he cried. "You + don't know how dear you've grown to me." He stepped toward her + with his arms outstretched. He almost reached her and he knew, + and she knew, instinctively, that if he had he would have + kissed her.</p><a name="Illus_3"></a> <br> + + <center> + <a href="images/Illus_3.jpg"><img src="images/Illus_3.jpg" + alt="No man can cross this bridge, unless" + width="40%"></a> + + <h4>"No man can cross this bridge, + unless—unless,—"</h4> + </center><br> + <br> + <br> + + + <p>She shrank back like a startled fawn, when his foot was + almost on the bridge that spanned the chasm between them and + her cabin.</p> + + <p>"Don't you dare to touch me!" she said fiercely.</p> + + <p>She sped back upon the little bridge, and, when he would + have followed, held her hand up with a gesture of such native + dignity, offended womanhood, that he stopped where he was, + abashed.</p> + + <p>"No—no, sir; you can't cross this bridge," said she. + "No man ever can, unless—unless—"</p> + + <p>Almost sobbing, now, she left the sentence incomplete; and + then: "Oh, you wouldn't dared act so to a bluegrass girl! But I + know what's right as well as them. It don't take no + book-learnin' to tell me as how a kiss like that you planned + for me would be a sign that really you care for me no more than + for the critters that you hunt an' kill for pastime up hyar + among the mountings."</p> + + <p>He would have given much if he had never done the foolish + thing. He stood there with lowered eyes, bent head, abashed, + discomfited.</p> + + <p>"An' I 'lowed you were my friend!" said she.</p> + + <p>Now he looked up at her and spoke out impulsively: "And so I + am, Madge, really! I was ... wrong. Forgive me!"</p> + + <p>She dropped her hands with a weary change of manner. "Well, + I reckon I will," said she. "You've been too kind and good for + me to bear a grudge ag'in you; but ... but ... Well, maybe I + had better say good-night."</p> + + <p>She walked slowly back across the bridge without another + word, pulled on its rope and raised it, made the rope fast and + slowly disappeared within her little cabin.</p> + + <p>"Poor child!" said he, and turned away. "I was a brute to + wound her."</p> + + <p>As he went down the trail, darkening, now, as the moon slid + behind the towering mountain back of him, his heart was in a + tumult. "After all," he reflected, "education isn't everything. + All the culture in the world wouldn't make her more sincere and + true. She has taught <i>me</i> a lesson I shan't soon + forget."</p> + + <p>His thoughts turned, then, to the girl who would come up + with the party on the following day.</p> + + <p>"I—wonder! Was there ever, really, a time when I loved + Barbara?... If so, that time has gone, now, never to + return."</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_IX"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER IX</h2><br> + + + <p>His visitors took Layson by surprise, next morning. They had + started from the valley long before he had supposed they + would.</p> + + <p>Holton saw him first and nudged his daughter, who was with + him. They were well ahead of Miss Alathea and the Colonel, who + had been unable to keep up with them upon the final sharp + ascent of the foot-journey from the wagon-road. The old man + grinned unpleasantly. He had rather vulgar manners, often + annoying to his daughter, who had had all the advantages which, + in his rough, mysterious youth, he had been denied.</p> + + <p>"Thar he is, Barb; thar he is," he said, not loudly. Miss + Alathea and the Colonel, following close behind, were a + restraint on him.</p> + + <p>The girl's face was full of eagerness as she saw the man + they sought. He was busy polishing a gun, but that his thoughts + were occupied with something less mechanical and not wholly + pleasant the slight frown upon his face made evident. "Mr. + Layson! Frank!" she cried.</p> + + <p>The young man turned, on hearing her, and hurried toward her + and her father with his hands outstretched in welcome. He was + not overjoyed to have the old man visit him, just then; he was + even doubtful of the welcome which his heart had for the + daughter; but he was a southerner and in the gentle-born + southerner real hospitality is quite instinctive.</p> + + <p>"Mr. Holton—Barbara," said he. "I am delighted. + Welcome to the mountains." He grasped their hands in hearty + greeting. "But where are Aunt Alathea and the Colonel?"</p> + + <p>Holton tried to be as cordial as his host. That he was very + anxious to appear agreeable was evident. "Oh, them slow-pokes?" + he said, laughing. "We didn't wait for them. We pushed on + ahead. We reckoned as you would be glad to see us."</p> + + <p>"And so I am."</p> + + <p>"One in particular, maybe," Holton answered, with a crude + attempt at badinage. He glanced archly from the young man to + his daughter.</p> + + <p>"Father!" she exclaimed, a bit annoyed, and yet not too + unwilling that the fact that she and Layson were acknowledged + sweethearts should be at once established.</p> + + <p>"Oh, I ain't been blind," said Holton, gaily, going much + farther than she wished him to. "I've cut <i>my</i> + eye-teeth!"</p> + + <p>Then he turned to Layson with an awkward lightness. "Barbara + told me what passed between you two young folks afore you come + up to the mountings," he explained. And then, with further + elephantine airyness: "I say, jest excuse me—reckon I'm + in the way." He made a move as if to hurry off.</p> + + <p>Layson was not pleased. The old man was annoying, always, + and now, after the long revery of the night before about Madge + Brierly, this attitude was doubly disconcerting. "Not at all, + Mr. Holton," he said, somewhat hastily. "I'm sure we'd rather + you'd remain. Are you sure the others are all right?"</p> + + <p>"Close behind us."</p> + + <p>"I'll go and make sure that they do not lose their way."</p> + + <p>Holton looked at his daughter in a blank dismay after the + youth had started down the hill. "I say, gal," said he, + "there's somethin' wrong here!"</p> + + <p>She was inclined to blame him for the deep discomforture she + felt. "Why couldn't you let us alone?" she answered angrily. + "You've spoiled everything!"</p> + + <p>The old man looked at her, with worry on his face. "Didn't + you tell me 't was as good as settled? You said you were dead + sure he meant to make you his wife."</p> + + <p>She was still petulant, blaming him for Layson's unexpected + lack of warmth. "Yes, but you needn't have interfered!"</p> + + <p>Holton was intensely puzzled, worried, almost frightened. He + was as anxious to have this young man for a son-in-law as his + daughter was to have him for a husband. Her marriage into such + a celebrated bluegrass family as the Laysons were, would firmly + fix her social status, no matter how precarious it might be + now, and the match would be of great advantage to him in a + business way, as well. He stood there, thinking deeply, very + much displeased.</p> + + <p>"There's somethin' more nor me has come between you," he + said finally, his face flushing with a deep resentment. "I tell + you, gal, what I believed at first, deep in my heart, air true. + He was only triflin' with you. Them aristocrats down in the + bluegrass don't hold us no better than the dust beneath their + feet, even if we have got money. It's <i>family</i> that counts + with them. Didn't he lay his whip acrost my face, once, as if I + was a nigger?" His wrath was rising. "And now he shows that he + was only triflin' with you with no real intentions of doin' as + we thought he would!" The man was tremulous with wrath. "Oh, + I'll be even with him!"</p> + + <p>Barbara was greatly worried by the situation. All her life, + despite the fact that she was beautiful, despite the fact that + her father was a rich man—richer, by a dozen times, than + many of the people for whose friendship she longed + vainly—she had vaguely felt that there was an invisible + gulf between her and the girls with whom she came in contact at + the exclusive schools to which she had been sent, between her + and the gentlefolk with whom, in some measure, she had mixed + since she had left school-walls. "Father," she asked anxiously, + "why do people look down on us so?"</p> + + <p>He faced her with a worried look, as if he feared that she + might guess at something which he wished should remain hidden. + "They say I made my money tradin' in niggers," he replied, at + length. "Well, what of it? Didn't I have the right?"</p> + + <p>"Are you sure there's nothing else?"</p> + + <p>He seemed definitely startled. "Girl, what makes you + ask?"</p> + + <p>"Because sometimes memories come to me."</p> + + <p>"Memories of what?"</p> + + <p>"Of—my childhood," she said slowly, "of passes among + mountains—mountains much like these."</p> + + <p>He regarded her uneasily. "Oh, sho, gal!" he exclaimed, + trying to make light of it. "Reckon you've been dreamin'. You + were never hyar before."</p> + + <p>But she looked about her, unconvinced, and, when she spoke, + spoke slowly, evidently trying to recall with definite clarity + certain things which flitted through her mind as vague + impressions only. "Why does everything seem so familiar, here, + then, as if I had just wakened in my true surroundings after a + long sleep in which I had had dreams?" There was, suddenly, a + definite accusation in her eyes. "Father, you are trying to + deceive me! I was once a child, here in these very mountains!" + She stared about intently.</p> + + <p>The speech had an amazing effect on the old man. He stepped + close to her. "Hush!" said he, imperatively. "Don't you dare + speak such a word ag'in!"</p> + + <p>She peered into his eyes. "There <i>is</i> a secret, then! + We lived here, long ago!"</p> + + <p>"Stop, I tell you!" he commanded. "Don't hint at such + things, for your life." He dropped his voice to hoarse whisper. + "Suppose I did live hyar, once. I was a smooth-faced youngster, + then; my own mother wouldn't know me, now."</p> + + <p>The sound of voices coming up the mountain-trail interrupted + the dramatic scene.</p> + + <p>"Sh!" said he. "They're comin'!"</p> + + <p>Frank was piloting his Aunt and Colonel Doolittle. "This + way, Aunt 'Lethe," they could hear him say.</p> + + <p>An instant later he appeared, leading the way up the steep + trail. His Aunt, Neb and the Colonel followed him.</p> + + <p>"Now, Aunt 'Lethe," he said gaily, "you can rest at last. + Colonel, I can welcome you in earnest. This is, indeed, a + pleasure."</p> + + <p>The Colonel was puffing fiercely from the hard work of the + climb, but his broad face glowed with pleasure. He took a long, + full breath of the exhilerating mountain air. "Pleasure? It's a + derby-day, sir, metaphorically speaking." As he rested he eyed + the youngster with approval. "Frank," said he, "you've grown to + be the very image of my old friend, Judge Layson. Ah, five + years have made their changes in us all—except Miss + 'Lethe." He bowed gallantly in her direction, and she gaily + answered the salute.</p> + + <p>Barbara advanced, enthusiastically, looking at the Colonel + with arch envy in her eyes. "Five years you've been in Europe, + surrounded by the nobility. Oh, Colonel, what happiness!"</p> + + <p>He shook his head. "Happiness away from old Kentucky, + surrounded by a lot of numb-skulls who couldn't mix a fancy + drink to save their lives, who know nothing of that prismatic, + rainbow-hued fountain of youth, a mint-julep? Ah!"</p> + + <p>"But, Colonel," said the girl, "the masterpieces of + art!"</p> + + <p>"Give me," said he, "the masterpieces of Mother + Nature—the bright-eyed, rose-cheeked, cherry-lipped girls + of old Kentucky!"</p> + + <p>There was a general laugh. The Colonel's gallantry was + ever-blooming. Frank applauded and the ladies bowed.</p> + + <p>"By the way, Frank," said the Colonel, after they had been + made comfortable in a merry group before the cabin-door, "where + is that particular masterpiece of Nature which you've written + us so much about? Where is the—Diana?"</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea smiled at her somewhat worried nephew. "The + 'phenomenon,'" said she.</p> + + <p>"According to Neb, who told us of her as we worked up that + steep trail," said Barbara, "the 'deer.'" She laughed, not too + good naturedly Neb, who was standing waiting orders near, + grinned broadly.</p> + + <p>"Neb, you rascal!" exclaimed Frank.</p> + + <p>"Come, where is she, Frank; where is she?" asked the + Colonel.</p> + + <p>The youth was not too much embarrassed, but he gave a quick, + side-glance at Barbara. "She is probably getting ready to + receive you," he replied. "I told her I expected you and she's + been very much excited over it."</p> + + <p>"Adding to nature's charms the mysteries of art," the + Colonel said, approvingly. "We shall expect to be overwhelmed. + And, meantime, while we're waiting, we might as well explain to + you the business which has brought us up here."</p> + + <p>His face showed him to be the bearer of good news. He rose, + excitedly, and went to Frank, to put his hand upon his + shoulder. "Now, my boy, keep cool, keep cool! I tell you, + Frank, it's the biggest thing out. It'll make a millionaire of + you as sure as Fate before the next five years have + passed!"</p> + + <p>Layson was taken wholly by surprise. No one had in the least + prepared him for anything of this sort. He had supposed the + party had come up to see him merely for the pleasure of the + trip. "I don't understand," said he.</p> + + <p>"Keep cool, keep cool!" the Colonel urged. "It is colossal, + metaphorically. You see, I was over there in Europe, promoting + a South American mine, when I happened to see in a Kentucky + paper that the Georgetown Midland was to be put through these + mountains near the land your father bought. That land, my boy, + is rich in coal and iron!"</p> + + <p>The young man's face shone with delight. "He always said + so!" he exclaimed. "I meant, sometime, to investigate."</p> + + <p>"I've saved you the trouble. I came back on the next + steamer, organized a syndicate in New York City, sent an expert + out to carefully look into things, and, on his report, a + company is willing to put in a $200,000 plant to develop your + land. All you've got to do is to take $25,000 worth of stock + and let your coal-land stand for as much more."</p> + + <p>The youth's face fell. "Twenty-five thousand dollars!" he + exclaimed. "Why, Colonel, I have not one fifth of it!"</p> + + <p>"Ah," said the Colonel, smiling, "but here, like a good + angel, comes in your dear Aunt 'Lethe!" He smiled at her. + "Isn't it so, Miss 'Lethe?"</p> + + <p>Frank spoke up quickly. "Surely," he exclaimed to her as she + advanced toward him, with smiles, "you know I'd never take your + money!"</p> + + <p>"You must, Frank," she insisted. "The Colonel says it is the + chance of a lifetime."</p> + + <p>"Why, Auntie, it's your whole fortune. I wouldn't risk + it."</p> + + <p>"But you could pay it all back in a month."</p> + + <p>"How?" he asked, not understanding in the least.</p> + + <p>"By selling Queen Bess."</p> + + <p>He flinched. The thought had not occurred to him. "Sell + Queen Bess!" said he. "The prettiest, the fastest mare in all + Kentucky! Never!"</p> + + <p>"My boy," said the Colonel, "the odds are far too + heavy—a million against the mare. You can't stand + 'em."</p> + + <p>"Oh, Frank," said his Aunt, impulsively, "if you'll only + take the money and give up racing!"</p> + + <p>He laughed. Miss Alathea's strong prejudice against the + race-tracks was proverbial. "So that's what you're after!" he + exclaimed. "You dear old schemer!"</p> + + <p>"With your impulsive, generous nature, racing is sure to + ruin you."</p> + + <p>The Colonel looked first at Frank with ardent sympathy aglow + in his eyes; then, after a hasty glance at Miss Alathea, he + quickly changed the meaning of his look and spoke + admonishingly. "The voice of wisdom!" he exclaimed. "Ah, Frank, + from what I hear I judge you're too much of a + plunger—like a young fellow I once knew who thought he + could win a fortune on the race-track." He began, now, to speak + very seriously. "He was in love with the prettiest and sweetest + girl in old Kentucky, but he wished to wait till he could get + that fortune, and he chased it here and there, looking for it + mostly on the race-tracks, until he had more grey hairs than he + had ever hoped to have dollars; he chased it till his dream of + happiness had slipped by, perhaps forever. My boy, the + race-track is a delusion and a snare."</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea looked at him with pleased surprise. "Colonel, + your sentiments astonish and delight me."</p> + + <p>"How can you refuse," the Colonel said, "when such a woman + asks? For one who loves you, you should give those pleasures up + without a pang."</p> + + <p>In the pause that followed he reflected on the history of + the youth to whom he had referred, for that young man was + himself. He had loved Miss Alathea twenty years, but the + Goddess Chance had kept him, all that time, too poor to ask her + hand in marriage. His heart beat with elation as he realized + that, possibly, the scheme which he had come there to the + mountains to propose to Frank, might remedy the evils of the + situation.</p> + + <p>Frank had been thinking deeply. "But what certainty is + there," he inquired, "that I can sell Queen Bess at such a + price?"</p> + + <p>Now the Colonel spoke with animation. "Absolute. I've a + written offer from the Dyer brothers to take her for + twenty-five thousand dollars, if she is delivered, safe and + sound, on the morning she's to run in the Ashland Oaks. It's a + dead sure thing, my boy. You can't refuse."</p> + + <p>The young man hesitated, still. "I'll investigate, + and—well, I'll see." He walked away, deep in thought.</p> + + <p>The Colonel turned from him to Miss Alathea. "Miss 'Lethe, + congratulate yourself. The victory is won."</p> + + <p>Frank turned upon his heel and spoke to Holton. "What do you + think of this investment?" he inquired.</p> + + <p>"Wal," said Holton, "I think it's a blamed good thing. I'd + only like the chance to go into it, myself." He went closer to + the youth and spoke in an instinctively low tone. "By the way, + this gal, hyar, Madge Brierly, owns fifty acres o' land down + there in the valley, that's bound to be wuth money. Like + enough, with your help, I could buy it for a song. I'll make it + all right with you. What do you say? Is it a bargain, Layson?" + He held out his hand, evidently with no thought but that the + questionable offer would be snapped up at once.</p> + + <p>Layson drew back angrily. "No," he replied.</p> + + <p>Holton, seeing that he had made a serious mistake, tried to + correct it. "Oh, shucks, now! I didn't mean no harm. That's + only business."</p> + + <p>Layson was intensely angered. "I won't waste words on you," + he said, "but think twice before you make me such a proposition + again."</p> + + <p>Holton's wrath rose vividly. "Damn him!" he muttered as he + walked away. "I'll pay him back for that! I'll get that gal's + land in spite of him, and I won't stop at that. I'll pay him + back for ... everythin'! I'll teach him what it air to stir the + hate o' hell in a man's heart!"</p> + + <p>Barbara, distressed anew by this unpleasant episode, had + started to go after him, when the weird cry of an owl, a long + drawn, tremulous: "Hoo-oo-oo!" came from somewhere in the + forest, close at hand. It startled her. "Heavens!" said she. + "What's that?"</p> + + <p>Neb, who also had been startled at the first penetrating, + weird call, bethought himself, now, and answered her: "It's de + deah."</p> + + <p>"The phenomenon!" exclaimed Miss Alathea.</p> + + <p>"The Diana!" said the Colonel, looking at Frank slyly.</p> + + <p>"Yes; she's coming," Frank said gaily, and then, looking + down the path, started violently. "Heavens, she's coming!"</p> + + <p>The Colonel, who also had looked down the path, hurriedly + approached him, feigning worry. "Frank, I haven't got 'em + again, have I?"</p> + + <p>Madge approached them slowly in the quaint, old-fashioned + costume she had resurrected from the chests of her dead + mother's finery and re-made, very crudely, in accordance with + the fashion-plates which she had found down at the cross-roads + store. The result of her contriving was a startling mixture of + fashions widely separated as to periods. Her untutored taste + had mixed colors clashingly. Her unskilled fingers had sewed + very bunchy seams.</p> + + <p>The girl was much embarrassed: it required the last ounce of + her bravery to advance. Before she actually reached the little + group, she half hid, indeed, behind a tree. It was from this + shelter that she called her greeting: "Howdy, folks, + howdy!"</p> + + <p>Frank went toward her with an outstretched hand. "Come, + Madge," said he, encouragingly.</p> + + <p>"Reckon I'll have to," she assented, with a bashful smile + and took a step or two reluctantly. But she had never seen folk + dressed at all as were these visitors from the famed bluegrass, + and her courage again faltered. Instantly she realized how + wholly her own efforts to be elegant had failed. She hung back + awkwardly, pathetically.</p> + + <p>"Don't be nervous, Madge; just be yourself," Frank urged + her.</p> + + <p>"Free and easy? Well, I'll try; but I'm skeered enough to + make me wild and reckless."</p> + + <p>Frank led her forward, while she made a mighty effort to + accept the situation coolly. "These are my friends, Madge. Let + me introduce you."</p> + + <p>She got some grip upon herself and smiled. "Ain't no need. + Know 'em all by your prescription." With a mighty effort she + approached the Colonel. "Colonel Sandusky Doolittle, + howdy!"</p> + + <p>The Colonel was delighted. Her knowledge of his name was + flattering. He had forgotten her strange costume the moment his + glance had caught her wonderful, deep eyes. "Howdy, howdy!" he + said heartily, shaking her hand vigorously. "Why, this is real + Kentucky style!" It won't take <i>us</i> long to get + acquainted."</p> + + <p>"Know all about you now," she said. "Great hossman. Colonel, + I'll have a race with you, sometime."</p> + + <p>"What, you ride?" said the delighted Colonel.</p> + + <p>"Ride! Dellaw!" said she, with, now, unembarrassed + animation. The subject was that one, of all, which made her + most quickly forget everything beside. "Why, me and my pony + takes to racin' like a pig to carrots. Before he lamed himself, + whenever th' boys heard us clatterin' down th' mounting, they + laid to race us back. Away we went, then, clickity-clip, up th' + hills and around th' curves—an' I allus won."</p> + + <p>The Colonel realized with a great joy that he had found a + kindred spirit. "Shake again!" he said to her, after further + most congenial talk, and then turned to Frank. "My boy, you're + right. She <i>is</i> a phenomenon—a thoroughbred, even if + she hasn't any pedigree."</p> + + <p>Up to this time the ladies had remained somewhat in the + background, watching the young mountain girl as the Colonel + drew her out.</p> + + <p>Madge now turned to Frank, but looked at Barbara. "Is that + the young lady from the bluegrass?" The girl was hurt and + really offended by the stranger's aloof manner. "Looks like she + can't see common folks."</p> + + <p>"That is Miss Barbara." He led the mountain girl toward her. + "Barbara, this is my friend—er—Madge." He was, + himself, a little disconcerted.</p> + + <p>The maiden from the lowlands bowed, but said no word. For an + instant Madge shrank back, but then she advanced with an + unusual boldness. Her spirit was aroused.</p> + + <p>"Howdy, Miss Barbarous, howdy!" she exclaimed and held her + hand out to the handsomely dressed girl.</p> + + <p>But Miss Barbara was annoyed by the whole happening. She + felt that this uncultivated country girl was getting far too + much attention. The child's unconscious pun upon her name + infuriated her. She did not answer her, but raised a lorgnette + and stared at her.</p> + + <p>Madge was ready with an instant sympathy. "Oh, that's why + you couldn't see, poor thing! Spectacles at your age!" Whether + she really thought this was the case, not even Frank could tell + by looking at her.</p> + + <p>Miss Holton was incensed. The haughty treatment she had + planned to, give the mountain girl had not had the results she + had expected. "There's nothing whatever the matter with my + eyes!" she exclaimed hastily.</p> + + <p>"Wouldn't think you'd need a machine to help you star-gaze + at folks, then," said the mountain girl. "But maybe it's the + fashion in the bluegrass."</p> + + <p>Frank hurried up with Holton, planning a diversion. "This is + Mr. Holton, Madge."</p> + + <p>"Howdy, sir," said she, and then started in astonishment. + "Ain't I seen your face before, sir?"</p> + + <p>"Wal, I reckon not," said Holton most uneasily. "I was never + hyar in these hyar mountings afore."</p> + + <p>She stepped closer to him, gazing straight at his grey eyes. + They seemed strangely to recall the very distant past, she knew + not how. There were other things about him which seemed much + more immediately familiar, although his more elaborate garb + prevented her, for the moment, from recognizing him as the + stranger with the hammer, who had, that day of the forest-fire, + been tap-tapping on the rocks upon her pasture-land. "Your eyes + seem to bring something back." She plainly paled. She knew that + their suggestion was a dreadful one, but could not make it + definite.</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea noted her agitation instantly, and hurried to + her side. "Poor child, what is the matter?"</p> + + <p>Madge had regained control of her features, which, for an + instant, had shown plain horror. "Tain't nothin', ma'am. It + couldn't be. It's all over now." She smiled gratefully at Miss + Alathea. "An' you're his aunt, ain't you? I'd know you for his + kin, anywhere. Why, somehow, you remind me of my lost + mother."</p> + + <p>"Thank you, my dear. You must be very lonely, up here all + alone."</p> + + <p>"I am, sometimes," said the girl, "but I have lots of fun, + too. The woods are full of friends. Th' birds an' squirrels + ain't afraid o' me. They seem to think I'm a wild thing, like + 'em."</p> + + <p>"It's true," said Frank, with an admiring, cheering look at + the little country girl. "Their confidence in her is + wonderful."</p> + + <p>The bluegrass girl's annoyance was increasing. She had come + up to the mountains thinking that, among such crude + surroundings, her gowns and the undoubted beauty they adorned, + would hold the center of the stage, and by contrast, hold + Layson quite enthralled; but here, instead, was a brown-faced + country maid in grotesque, homemade costume, attracting most of + his attention. She was conscious that by showing her + discomfiture she was not strengthening her own position, but + she could not hide it, could not curb her tongue.</p> + + <p>"A rider of races," said she; "a tamer of animals! What + accomplishments! Do you actually live here, all alone?"</p> + + <p>"Come," said Madge, determined to be pleasant, "and I'll + show you." She led the bluegrass girl to a convenient point + from which her cabin was in sight.</p> + + <p>"In that little hut!" said Barbara, not impressed as Madge + had innocently thought she would be. "Shocking!"</p> + + <p>The girl was angered, now. "So sorry I didn't have your + opinion afore! But, maybe, you wouldn't think it were so awful, + if you knowed how 'twere I come to live there."</p> + + <p>Frank had written something of the poor girl's tragic story + to his aunt. She was all interest. "Won't you tell us, please?" + she asked.</p> + + <p>Holton seemed to show a strange disinclination to listen to + the narrative. "Ain't got no time for stories," he objected. + "Gettin' late."</p> + + <p>"We'll take time, then," said Frank.</p> + + <p>"Go on, little one," urged Colonel Doolittle. "We're + listening."</p> + + <p>Impressed and touched by the sympathy in the horseman's tone + and the interest in Miss Alathea's eyes, Madge told with even + greater force and more effect than when she had related it to + Layson the story of the tragedy which had robbed her at a blow + of father and of mother, the black, dreadful tale of merciless + assassination which had left her orphaned in the mountains. Her + audience attended, spellbound, even the disgruntled and + unsympathetic Barbara listening with unwilling fascination. + Only Holton turned away, with a gesture of impatience. He + plainly did not wish to waste time on the girl. Or was it that? + He seemed to be uneasy as he walked to and fro upon the + rock-ledge near them, whence, had he cared for it, he could + have had a gorgeous view of mountain scenery. But, although he + said, as plainly as he could without actual rudeness, that the + girl and her sad tale of tragedy were not worth attention, he + was not successful in his efforts wholly to refuse to listen to + her.</p> + + <p>"Infamous!" said Miss Alathea, when the child had + finished.</p> + + <p>"And that scoundrel has gone free!" exclaimed the Colonel, + in disgust.</p> + + <p>"<i>That's</i> how I come to live alone, here," Madge went + on, addressing Barbara, particularly. The girl had made her + feel it necessary to offer some defense. "After my mammy died I + didn't have no place to go, an' so I just stayed on here, an' + th' bridge my daddy built for his protection I have kept for + mine. Maybe he has told you of it." She indicated Frank. They + nodded.</p> + + <p>"And nothing has been heard of the infernal traitor, all + these years?" the Colonel asked.</p> + + <p>"He left the mountings when he found how folks was + feelin'—they'd have shot him, like a dog, on sight. But + it don't make no differ where he goes; it don't make a bit of + differ where he goes."</p> + + <p>"What do you mean by that?" the Colonel asked, and as he + spoke, Holton, suddenly intent, paused in his pacing of the + ledge to listen.</p> + + <p>"I mean, no matter where he goes he'll have to pay for it, + come soon, come late. Th' day air sure to come when Joe, Ben + Lorey's son, 'll meet him face to face an' make him answer for + his crime!"</p> + + <p>"God-speed to him!" exclaimed the Colonel, fervently.</p> + + <p>Madge, in a gesture full of drama, although quite + unconscious, raised her head, looking off into the vastness of + the mountains, her hands thrust straight down at her sides and + clenched, her shoulders squared, her chest heaving with a + mighty intake. The little mountain-girl, as she stood there, + thrilling with her longing for revenge, with prayers that some + day the sinner might be punished for his dreadful crime, made + an impressive figure.</p> + + <p>"Come soon or late!" she sighed. "Come soon or late!"</p> + + <p>The party watched her, fascinated, till Holton took his + daughter's arm and urged her, uneasily, out of the little + group.</p> + + <p>Later Madge asked the Colonel to go with her to the pasture + lot and take a look at Little Hawss. Gladly he went with her, + tenderly this expert in Kentucky racers, the finest horses in + the world, examined the shaggy little pony's hoof. He told + Madge what to do for him and promised to send up a lotion with + which to bathe the injured foot, although he gently warned her + that she must not hope that Little Hawss would ever do much + racing up and down the mountain trails again. She choked, when + he said this, and the horseman's heart went out to her.</p> + + <p>"Little one," said the Colonel, as the party was preparing + to go down the mountain, "you're a thoroughbred, and Colonel + Sandusky Doolittle is your friend from the word 'go.'" He took + her hand in his and smiled down into her eyes.</p> + + <p>Then, turning to Miss 'Lethe: "Do you know, Miss 'Lethe, + there's something about this little girl that puts me in mind + of you, when I first met you? You remember?"</p> + + <p>"Ah, Colonel, that was twenty years ago—the day I was + eighteen."</p> + + <p>"And I was twenty-five. Now I'm forty-five and + you—"</p> + + <p>"Colonel!"</p> + + <p>"Are still eighteen.' He bowed, impressively, with that + charming, gallant smile which was peculiar to him.</p> + + <p>"Aren't you going down with us, Frank?" asked Barbara, + looking at the youth with plain surprise when she noted that he + lingered when she and her father were ready for the start.</p> + + <p>"I wish to speak to Madge, a moment. I'll overtake you."</p> + + <p>The bluegrass beauty looked at him, wrath blazing in her + eyes, then turned away with tossing head.</p> + + <p>"Good-bye," said Madge, and held her hand out to her.</p> + + <p>Barbara paid no attention to the small, brown hand, but, + instead, opened her parasol almost in the face of the + astonished mountain-girl, who jumped back, startled. "Oh, very + well," said Barbara to Frank.</p> + + <p>Madge turned to him, the softness of the mood engendered by + her talk with the Colonel and Miss 'Lethe all gone, now. Her + face was flushed with anger. "Dellaw!" said she. "Thought she + was goin' to shoot!"</p> + + <p>Now Barbara spoke haughtily. "Good afternoon, Miss Madge. + You have entertained us wonderfully, wonderfully."</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_X"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER X</h2><br> + + + <p>It was late on an afternoon several days after the party + from the bluegrass had gone down from the mountains when + Layson, with a letter of great import in his pocket sought + Madge Brierly.</p> + + <p>He was very happy, as, a short time before he reached her + isolated cabin, he stepped out to the edge of that same ledge + where Horace Holton had found the view too full of memories for + comfort, to look off across the lovely valley spread before, + below him. There were no memories of struggle and bloodshed to + arise between him and that view and for a time he gloried in it + with that bounding, pulsating appreciation which can come to us + in youth alone, as his eyes swept the fair prospect of wooded + slope and rugged headland, stream-ribbon, mountain-meadow, + billowy forest. Then, with a deep breath of the wondrous air of + the old Cumberlands, which added a physical exhileration almost + intoxicating to the pleasure of the thoughts which filled his + mind, he went slowly up the rugged twisting path to Madge's + cabin. There, standing by the bridge he called, and, presently, + the girl appeared.</p> + + <p>He smiled at her. He did not wish to tell her, too quickly, + of the news the letter held.</p> + + <p>The girl was still full of the visit and the visitors. They + had seemed to her, reared as she had been in the rough + seclusion of the mountains, like denizens of another, + wondrously fine world, come to glimpse her in her crude one, + for a few hours, and then gone back to their own glorious + abiding place.</p> + + <p>She did not admit it to herself, but they had left behind + them discontent with the life she knew, her lack of education, + almost everything with which, in days gone by, she had been so + satisfied.</p> + + <p>Layson, watching her as she approached, was tempted to enjoy + her as she was, for a few minutes, before telling her the news + which, young and inexperienced as he was, he yet knew, + instinctively, would change her for all time.</p> + + <p>"Well," he said, "how did you like them, Madge?"</p> + + <p>The girl sat upon a stump and looked off across the valley. + Her hands were clasped upon one knee, as she reflected, the + fading sunlight touched her hair with sheening brilliance, her + eyes, at first, were dreamy, happy.</p> + + <p>"Oh, I loved your aunt!" said she. "She made me think of my + own mammy.... She made me think of my own mammy."</p> + + <p>"And she was quite as much in love with you."</p> + + <p>"Was she?... And Cunnel Doolittle! Ain't he <i>splendid</i>? + And how he do know hosses! Wouldn't I <i>love</i> to see some + of them races that he told about? Wouldn't I love to have a + chance to learn how to become a lady like your aunt? She's just + the sweetest thing that ever lived."</p> + + <p>"And ... and ... Miss Barbara?" said Layson, with a little + mischief in his wrinkling eyelids.</p> + + <p>The girl shrugged herself together haughtily upon her stump. + He had seen lowlands girls use almost the same gesture when, in + drawing-rooms, some topic had come up which they did not wish + to talk about.</p> + + <p>"Huh! Her!" said Madge and would have changed the subject + had he let her.</p> + + <p>"Really?" he asked, wickedly. "Didn't you like her?"</p> + + <p>"I ain't sayin' much," said Madge, "because she's different + from me, has had more chance, is better dressed, knows more + from books an' so on, an' it might seem like I was plumb + jealous of her. Maybe I am, too. But, dellaw! Her with her + pollysol! When she opened it that way at me I thought it war a + gun an' she war goin' to fire! Maybe I ain't had no learnin' in + politeness, but it seems to me I would a been a little more so, + just the same, if I'd been in her place. She don't like me, she + don't, an' I—why, I just <i>hates</i> her! Her with her + ombril up, an' not a cloud in sight!"</p> + + <p>Layson looked at her and laughed. The letter in his pocket + made it seem probable that she would not need, in future, to + submit to such humiliations as the bluegrass girl had put upon + her, so his merriment could not be counted cruel.</p> + + <p>"Jealous of her?" he inquired, quizzically.</p> + + <p>She sat in deep thought for a moment and then frankly said: + "I reckon so; a leetle, teeny mite. Maybe it has made me mean + in thinkin' of her, ever since."</p> + + <p>"You're honest, anyway," said he, "and I shall tell you + something that will comfort you. She was as jealous of you as + you were of her."</p> + + <p>"<i>She</i> was!" the girl exclaimed, incredulous, + surprised. "Of <i>me</i>?" You're crazy, ain't you?"</p> + + <p>"Not a bit."</p> + + <p>"What have <i>I</i> got to make <i>her</i> jealous?"</p> + + <p>"A lot of things. You've beauty such as hers will never + be—"</p> + + <p>"Dellaw!" said Madge, incredulously. She had no knowledge of + her own attractiveness. "Don't you start in makin' fun o' + me."</p> + + <p>"I'm not making fun of you. You're very beautiful—my + aunt said so, the Colonel said so, and <i>I've</i> known it, + all along."</p> + + <p>No one had ever said a thing like this to her, before. She + looked keenly at him, weighing his sincerity. When she finally + decided that he really meant what he had said, she breathed a + long sigh of delight.</p> + + <p>"They said that I—was <i>beautiful</i>!"</p> + + <p>"They did, and, little girl, you are; and you have more than + beauty. You have health and strength such as a bluegrass girl + has never had in all the history of women."</p> + + <p>"Oh, yes," said she, "I'm strong an' + well—but—but—"</p> + + <p>"But what?"</p> + + <p>"But what?" she quoted bitterly. "But I ain't got no + eddication. What does strength and what does what you tell me + is my beauty count, when I ain't got no eddication? + Why—why—I looked plumb <i>foolish</i> by the side + of her! You think I don't know that my talk sounds rough as + rocks alongside hers, ripplin' from her lips as smooth as + water? You think I don't know that I looked like a scare-crow + in all them clo'es I had fixed up so careful, when she come on + with her gowns made up for her by <i>dressmakers</i>? + Why—why—I never <i>see</i> a dressmaker in all my + life! I never even see one!"</p> + + <p>"Well," said he, and looked at her with a slow smile, "there + probably will be no reason why you may not see as many as you + like, in years to come,"</p> + + <p>She was amazed. "This some sort o' joke?"</p> + + <p>"No, Madge. How would you like to be rich?"</p> + + <p>"Me?... Rich? Oh ... oh, I'd like it. <i>Then</i> I could go + down in th' bluegrass, study, l'arn, an'—I could do a + heap o' good aroun' hyar, too" She sighed. "But thar never was + nobody rich in these hyar mountings an' I reckon thar never + will be."</p> + + <p>"Perhaps you may be," said the youth, and there was a + serious quality in his voice which made her start and then lean + forward on her stump to gaze at him with searching, eager + eyes.</p> + + <p>"Your land down in the valley," he went on, "may contain + coal and iron enough to give you a fortune. Now there are bad + men in this world, and I want you to promise me to sell it to + nobody without first coming to me for advice."</p> + + <p>"Promise?" said the girl, the wonder all ashine in her big + eyes. "In course I'll promise that. But is there r'ally a + chance of it?"</p> + + <p>"There really is."</p> + + <p>"Oh, if I only knowed, for shore! Seems like I couldn't + wait!"</p> + + <p>"You shall know, to-night, or, maybe, sooner. I have the + engineers report, but I must study it out carefully and make + sure what boundaries he means. I'm almost certain they include + your land. As soon as I find out I'll come back here and call + to you and let you know."</p> + + <p>"I reckon you won't have to call! I'll be watchin' for you + every minute."</p> + + <p>"Well, I'm off. But remember what I said about letting + anyone buy any of your land from you. Don't sell an inch, don't + give an option at whatever price, to anyone without consulting + me."</p> + + <p>When he had left, the girl still sat there, dreaming on her + stump after she had watched him out of sight.</p> + + <p>The news that she might become rich had stirred her deeply + for a moment, but, soon she wondered if riches, really, would + mean everything, and decided that they would not.</p> + + <p>"Somehow," she mused, "somehow I don't care much about it, + not unless—unless—oh, I can't think of nothin' in + th' world but him! An' he says he's goin' to go away, never to + return no more!... Other folks has gone away, afore, but it + didn't seem to hurt my heart like this. I wonder what is ailin' + me."</p> + + <p>Her thought turned back to that half-bitter, half-delightful + moment when he had tried to kiss her at the bridge. "Why, even + then," she mused, "thar were somethin' seemed to draw me to him + in spite o' myself. Never felt anythin' like it afore. It + war—just as if I war asleep, all over, an' never wanted + to wake up! I wonder if I wish he warn't comin' back, + to-night—not half so much, I reckon, as I wish he warn't + never goin' away!"</p> + + <p>She left her resting place upon the stump, and, torn by + varying emotions, found a place upon the trail where she could + look off to his camp. She was standing there, leaning + listlessly against a tree, when the sound of someone coming + made her turn her head. She saw Joe Lorey.</p> + + <p>"Madge," said he, approaching, "I wants a word with + you,"</p> + + <p>She did not wish to talk with him. Her mind was far too busy + with its thoughts of Layson, its dismay at the prospect of his + departure. "No time, Joe; it's too late," said she. She started + to go by him toward her little bridge.</p> + + <p>But he was not inclined to be put off. The mountaineer's + slow mind had been at work with his great problem and he had + quite determined that he would take some action, definite and + unmistakable, without delay. He had leaned his ever-present + rifle up against a stump, had laid the old game-sack, still + burdened with the stolen dynamite, upon the ground, close to + it, and was prepared to talk the matter out, to one end or the + other. He loved her with the fierce love of the primitive man; + his rising wrath against the circumstances amidst which he + seemed to be so powerless had made him sullen and suspicious; + mountain life, continual defiance of the law, unceasing + watchfulness for "revenuers," does not teach a man to be + smooth-mannered, half-way in his methods. He made a move as if + to catch her arm; she darted by him, running straight toward + the old game-sack.</p> + + <p>That burden in the game-sack had been a constant horror to + him ever since he had first stolen it down at the railroad + workings. The mighty evidence of the power of the explosive + which had been shown to him when it had torn and mangled its + poor victim there, had filled him with a terror of it, although + it had also filled him with determination to make use of that + great power if necessary. But now, as he saw her running, + light-footed, lovely, toward the bag which held it, running in + exactly the right way to stumble on it if a mis-step chanced, + his heart sprang to his throat. What if the dire explosive he + had planned to use upon his enemies should prove to be the + death of the one being whom he loved? He sprang toward her with + the mighty impulse of desperate muscles spurred by a + panic-stricken mind and caught her, roughly, just before her + foot would have touched and spurned the game-sack.</p> + + <p>"Stop!" he cried, in desperation.</p> + + <p>She was amazed that he should take so great a liberty. She + stopped, perforce, but, after she had stopped, she stood there + trembling with hot anger. "Joe Lorey," she exclaimed, "you + dare!"</p> + + <p>Now he was all humility as he let his hand fall from her + arm. "It was for your sake, Madge," said he. "A stumble on that + sack—it mout have sent us both to Kingdom Come!"</p> + + <p>She looked at him incredulously, then down at the sack. + "That old game-sack? Why, Joe, you're plumb distracted!"</p> + + <p>"I'm in my senses, yet, I tell you," he persisted. "T'other + day I went down where they're blastin' for th' railroad. I see + 'em usin' dynamighty, down thar, an' I watched my chance an', + when it come, I slipped one o' th' bombs into that game-sack. + Ef you'd chanced to kick it—"</p> + + <p>She was impressed. "Dynamighty bombs? Dellaw! What's + dynamighty bombs?"</p> + + <p>"It's a giant powder, a million times stronger nor mine." He + reached into the sack and, with cautious fingers, took out the + cartridge and the fuse, exhibiting them to her. "See here. I + seed 'em take a bomb no bigger nor this one, an' light a fuse + like this, an' when it caught it ennymost shook down a + mounting! I seed a poor chap what war careless with one, an' + when they picked him up, why—"</p> + + <p>"Don't, Joe!" said the girl, looking at the cartridge with + the light of horror shining in her eyes. "What you doin' with + such devil's stuff?"</p> + + <p>"I got it for th' revenuers," he said frankly. The + mountaineers of the old Cumberland, to this day, make no secret + of their deadly hatred for the agents of the government excise. + "They're snoopin' 'round th' mountings, an' if they find my + still I plan to blow it into nothin', an' them with it."</p> + + <p>She recoiled from him. "No, no, Joe; you'd better gin th' + still up, nor do such work as that!"</p> + + <p>"I'll never gin it up!" said he, with a set face. "It's + mine; it war my father's long before me. There's only one thing + could ever make me gin it up."</p> + + <p>"What's that?" The girl was still spellbound by the + fascination of the dynamite which she had come so near to + treading on. Her eyes were fixed upon the cartridge in his hand + with horror, wonder.</p> + + <p>He stepped closer to her. "I mout gin it up for you!"</p> + + <p>"For me?"</p> + + <p>"You know I've loved ye sence ye were that high," said he, + and measured with his hand a very little way up the side of the + old stump. "Many a time I've listened hyar to your evenin' + hymn, an' thought I'd rather hear you singin' in my home than + hear th' angels singin' in th' courts o' Heaven. Say th' word, + Madge—say you'll be my little wife!"</p> + + <p>The girl was woe fully affected. Her eyes filled and her + bosom heaved with feeling. It cut her to the soul to have to + hurt this playmate of her babyhood, defender of her youth, + companion of her budding womanhood; their lives had been + linked, too, by the great tragedy which, years ago, had + orphaned both of them. But, of late, she had felt sure that she + could never marry him. She would not admit, even to herself, + just why this was; but it was so. "No, no, Joe; it can never + be," she said.</p> + + <p>He knew! "And why?" said he, his face blackening with bitter + feeling, his brows contracting fiercely. "Because that furriner + from the blue grass has come atween us!"</p> + + <p>Madge, surprised that he should guess the secret which she + had scarcely admitted, even to herself, was, for a second, + frightened by his keenness. Had she shown her feelings with + such freedom? But she quickly regained self-control and + answered with a clever counterfeit of lightness. "Him? Oh, sho! + He'd never think o' me that way!"</p> + + <p>"Mebbe so," said Joe, "but I know you think more o' th' + books he teaches you from than o' my company. From th' thickets + borderin' th' clearin' where you've studied, I've watched you + settin' thar with him, wen I'd give th' world to be thar in his + place. Why, I'd ennymost gin up my life for one kiss, Madge!" + He looked at her with pitiful love and longing in his eyes; but + this soon changed to a sort of mad determination. "I'll have + it, too!" he cried, advancing toward her.</p> + + <p>She was amazed, not in the least dismayed. Indeed the + episode took from the moment some of its emotional strain. That + he should try to do this utterly unwarrantable thing took a + portion of the weight of guilty feeling from her heart. It had + been pressing heavily there. "You shan't!" she cried. "Careful, + Joe Lorey!"</p> + + <p>She eluded him with ease and ran across her little bridge. + He paused, a second, in astonishment, and, as he paused, she + grasped the rope and pulled the little draw up after her.</p> + + <p>"Look out, Joe; it air a hundred feet, straight down!" she + cried, as she saw that the baffled mountaineer was trembling on + the chasm's edge, as if preparing for a spring. "Good night, + Joe. Take my advice—gin up th' still, an' all thought of + makin' a wife of a girl as ain't willin'."</p> + + <p>Half laughing and half crying she ran up the path which + wound about among the thickets on the rocky little island where + her rough cabin stood, secure, secluded.</p> + + <p>The mountaineer stood, baffled, on the brink of the ravine. + Much loneliness among the mountains, where there was no voice + but his own to listen to, had given him the habit of talking to + himself in moments of excitement.</p> + + <p>"Gone! Gone!" he said. "Gone laughin' at me!" He clenched + his fists. "And it is him as has come atween us!" He turned + slowly from the place, picked up his rifle, slung the + game-sack, saggin with the weight of the dynamite, across his + shoulder by its strap, and started from the place.</p> + + <p>He had gone but a short distance, though, before he stopped, + considering. Murder was in Joe Lorey's heart.</p> + + <p>"She said he war comin' back," he sullenly reflected. "I'll + ... lay for him, right hyar."</p> + + <p>He looked cautiously about. His quick ear caught the sound + of footsteps coming up the trail.</p> + + <p>"Somebody's stirrin', now," he said. "Oh, if it's only + him!"</p> + + <p>He slipped behind a rock to wait in ambush.</p> + + <p>But it was not his enemy who came, now, along the trail. + Horace Holton, held to the mountains by his mysterious + business, had left the others of the party to go home alone, as + they had come, and returned to the neighborhood which housed + the girl who owned the land he coveted.</p> + + <p>Joe, suspicious of him, as the mountaineer who makes his + living as a moonshiner, is, of course, of every stranger who + appears within his mountains, stepped forward, suddenly, his + rifle in his hand and ready to be used. He had no idea that the + man had been a member of the party from the bluegrass.</p> + + <p>"Halt, you!" he cried.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_XI"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XI</h2><br> + + + <p>Holton, full of scheming, was returning up the trail after + having said good-bye to Barbara, Miss Alathea and the Colonel + at the railway in the valley, climbing steadily and skillfully, + without much thought of his surroundings. The locality, + familiar to him years before (although he had at great pains + indicated to everyone but Barbara that it was wholly strange to + him) showed but superficial change to his searching, + reminiscent eyes. His feet had quickly fallen into the almost + automatic climbing-stride of the born mountaineer, and his + thoughts had gradually absorbed themselves in memories of the + past. Joe Lorey's sudden command to halt was somewhat + startling, therefore, even to his iron nerves. Instinctively + and instantly he heeded the gruff order.</p> + + <p>Dusk was falling and he could not very clearly see the + moonshiner, at first, as he stepped from behind the shelter of + his rock. He moved slowly on, a step or two, hands half raised + to show that they did not hold weapons, recovering quickly from + the little shock of the surprise, planning an explanation to + whatever mountaineer had thought his coming up the trail at + that hour a suspicious circumstance. That he was one of + Layson's friends from the low-country would, he thought, be + proof enough that he was not an enemy of mountain-folk. Layson, + he knew, was generally regarded with good will by the shy + dwellers in this wilderness.</p> + + <p>But when he clearly saw Joe Lorey's face a thrill shot + through him far more lasting than the little tremor born, at + first, of the command to halt.</p> + + <p>He had not seen the youth before. Joe, half jealous, half + contemptuous, of Layson's fine friends from the bluegrass, had + kept out of their sight, although he had watched them furtively + from covert almost constantly; and, it chanced, had not been so + much as mentioned by either Frank or Madge while the party from + the bluegrass lingered at the camp, save when Madge told the + tragic story of her childhood while Holton stood aloof, for + reasons of his own, hearing but imperfectly.</p> + + <p>Now the unexpected sight of the young man, for some reasons, + made the old one gasp in horror. There was that about the face, + the attitude, the very way the lithe moonshiner held his gun, + which made him seem, to the astonished man whom he had halted, + like a grim vision from the past. "My God!" he thought. "Can + the dead have come to life?"</p> + + <p>For an instant he went weak. His blood chilled and the quick + beating of his heart changed the deep breathing of his recent + swinging stride into short, sharp gasps.</p> + + <p>It was only for an instant, though. His life had not been + one to teach him to falter long in the face of an emergency. + Quickly he regained poise and reasoned calmly.</p> + + <p>"No," he thought, "it's Joe, Ben Lorey's son. Th' father's + layin' where he has been, all these years. I'm skeery as a + girl."</p> + + <p>Joe advanced upon him truculently. "Say," he demanded, + "what's yer name an' what ye want here?" His ever ready rifle + nested in the crook of his left arm, his brow was threatening, + his mouth was firmly set an instant after he had spoken.</p> + + <p>Holton, recovering himself quickly, spoke calmly, + propitiatingly. "My name's Holton. I want to see th' gal as + lives up yander. Want to buy her land of her."</p> + + <p>Lorey, satisfied by this explanation that the stranger was + not a government agent, as he had, at first suspected, relaxed + his tense rigidity of muscles. From fear of revenuers his + disturbed mind returned quickly to the bitterness of his + resentment of what he thought Madge Brierly's infatuation for + the young lowlander.</p> + + <p>"It's too late," he said. "Thar's only one man as she'd let + down that bridge for, now—th' man I thought ye might + be—Frank Layson."</p> + + <p>Holton, quick to see the possibility of gaining an + advantage, realizing from the young man's tone that he was + certainly no friend of Layson's, guessing, with quick cunning, + at what the situation was, decided that the thing for him to do + was to reveal the fact that, in his heart, he, also, hated + Layson.</p> + + <p>"So ye took me for a revenuer or Frank Layson, eh?" said he. + "I know what th' mountings think o' revenuers, an' I reckon, + from yer handlin' o' that rifle, that you're no friend o' + Layson's."</p> + + <p>Joe, full of the fierce bitterness of his resentment, was + ready to confide in anyone his hatred of the "furriner" who had + come up and won the girl he loved. He let the barrel of his + rifle slip between his fingers till its stock was resting on + the ground.</p> + + <p>"I hates him as I hates but one man in th' world!" he said, + with bitter emphasis.</p> + + <p>"Who's that?" said Holton, thoughtlessly, although, an + instant afterward, he was sorry that he had pursued the + subject.</p> + + <p>"Lem Lindsay," Lorey answered; "him as killed my father. + Frank Layson's come between me an' Madge Brierly, an' he's got + to cl'ar my tracks!" His voice thrilled with the intensity of + his emotion, and, suddenly, he caught his rifle up, again, into + his crooked elbow, where it rested ready for quick usage. "If + you plans to warn him—" he began.</p> + + <p>"Warn him!" said the older man, with a bitterness, real or + counterfeited, whichever it might be, as fierce as that which + rang in the young moonshiner's own voice, "I hate him as much + as you. I'd rather warn you."</p> + + <p>"Warn me o' what?" Lorey had begun to lose suspicion of the + stranger. If, really, he hated Layson, he might make of him a + useful ally.</p> + + <p>"Your name's Lorey," Holton answered, with his keen eyes + fixed intently on those of the man who stood there, tensely + listening to him, "an' yo' keep a still."</p> + + <p>Now Lorey again caught his rifle quickly in both hands; his + face showed new apprehension, and a terrible determination, + desperate and dreadful. If this stranger knew about the still, + was it not certain that he was a government spy and therefore + worthy of quick death?</p> + + <p>"Keerful!" he said menacingly. "Hyar in th' mountings that + word's worth your life!" The youth, with frowning brow and + glittering, wolfish eyes, stood facing Holton like an animal at + bay, with what amounted to a threat of murder on his lips.</p> + + <p>"I'm speakin' it for your own good," the old man answered, + throwing into his voice as much of frankness as he could + command. "I tell you that th' revemooers have got word about + your still."</p> + + <p>"Then somebody's spied an' told 'em."</p> + + <p>Here was Holton's chance. The vicious scheme came to him in + a flash. Layson he hated fiercely; this youth he hated + fiercely. What plan could be better than to set the one to hunt + the other? If Lorey should kill Layson it would remove Layson + from his path and make his way clear to the purchase of Madge + Brierly's coal-lands at a small fraction of their value. And, + having killed him, Lorey would, of course, be forced to flee + the country, for the hue and cry would be far-reaching. Such a + killing never would be passed over as an ordinary mountain + murder generally is by the authorities. Thus, at once, he might + be rid of the young bluegrass gentleman he hated and the young + mountaineer he feared.</p> + + <p>"You're right," said he. "Somebody's spied an' told 'em. + Somebody as stumbled on yore still while he was huntin'."</p> + + <p>Lorey looked at him, wide-eyed, infuriated. Instantly he + quite believed what Holton said. It dove-tailed with his own + grim hate of Layson that Layson should hate him and try to work + his ruin by giving information to the revenuers. "Somebody + huntin'!" he exclaimed. "Frank Layson! Say it, say it!"</p> + + <p>"Promise you'll never speak my name?" said Holton. He had no + wish to be mixed up in the tragic matter, and he knew, + instinctively, that if Joe Lorey gave his word, moonshiner and + lawbreaker as he was, it would be kept to the grim end.</p> + + <p>"I promise it, if it air th' truth you're tellin' me," said + Lorey.</p> + + <p>"It's true, then," Holton answered. "You can see for your + own self that I'm a stranger hyar. I couldn't a' knowed o' th' + still exceptin' through Frank Layson."</p> + + <p>The simple, specious argument to Lorey was convincing. "It + air true," he admitted slowly. "Nobody else would a' gin ye th' + word." The angry youth paused in black, murderous thought. "He + air a-comin' hyar, to-night," he went on presently. "I heered + him tell Madge Brierly that he war comin' back, this evenin'. + You better—maybe you had better git along." He had no + wish for witnesses to what he planned, now, to accomplish, when + Layson should come back to Madge, as he had promised, with the + engineer's report upon her coal lands.</p> + + <p>Holton nodded, grimly satisfied that he had planted a + suspicion which might flower into his own revenge. That blow + which Layson had delivered on his face, in the old days, had + left a scar upon his soul, and now that the young man seemed + likely to add to this unforgotten injury the new one of + retiring from the field as suitor for his daughter, and, + further, interfering with his plans to rob Madge Brierly of her + coal lands, his hatred of him had become intense, insatiable. + What better fortune could he wish than to pit this mountain + youth, whom, also, for a reason carried over from dark days in + his past life, he hated, against the young man from the + bluegrass whom he hated no less bitterly?</p> + + <p>"Go by <i>that</i> path, thar," said Lorey, suddenly, and + pointing, as Holton started to return by the direct route he + had followed as he came. "It air round-about, but it'll lead + you to th' valley. I'll run no risk o' your warnin' him."</p> + + <p>"Don't you be skeered," said Holton. "I'll keep mum, no + matter what happens."</p> + + <p>With a grim smile he started down the path which the + mountaineer had pointed out.</p> + + <p>"Laid his whip acrost my face!" he muttered as he went. + "Trifled with my gal! Him an' Ben Lorey's son—let 'em + fight it out! I'm so much th' better off."</p> + + <p>And Lorey, slipping back into the shadow of a rock, after he + had made quite certain that the stranger was following his + directions, was reflecting, bitterly: "He's come atween me an' + th' gal I love! He's put th' revenoo hounds upon my track! Oh, + if he had a dozen lives, I'd have 'em all!"</p> + + <p>For ten alert and watchful minutes, which seemed to stretch + to hours, he crouched there, waiting, waiting, waiting, for the + coming of the man he hated. During five of these he listened to + the sounds of Holton's downward progress, brought to his keen + ear on the soft breezes of the young night. There came the + crackling of a twig, the thud, thud, thud of a dislodged stone + bounding down the slope, the rustle of leaves as the old man + shuffled through a pocket of them gathered in the lea of some + protruding rock by vagrant winds. Then all was still. He did + not guess that Holton had been anxious that these sounds should + reach him; that he had stumbled down the trail with awkward + feet with no thought in his mind but to be certain that the + sounds should reach him. Such was the case, however, and, after + he felt sure that the crouching mountaineer above must be + convinced that he had gone on to the valley, the old man + turned, catlike, re-ascended with a skill as great as Lorey's + own, and, with not a sound to warn the mountaineer that he had + retraced any of his steps, took cautious place behind a rock + upon the very edge of the open space where, when Layson came, + he felt quite sure a tragedy would be enacted.</p> + + <p>Then Layson came blithely up the trail. He had gone through + the engineer's report with care. The coal prospects included + the girl's land. He was full of rare elation at thought of the + good luck which had descended on the little mountain-maid, full + of pleasant plans for a bright future from none of which she + was omitted.</p> + + <p>His dreams were rudely interrupted as Joe Lorey stepped + ominously from behind the rock where he had waited for him.</p> + + <p>"Hold up your hands!" the mountaineer commanded, with his + rifle levelled at the advancing youth.</p> + + <p>"Joe Lorey!" exclaimed Layson.</p> + + <p>"You know what air between us. Your time air come. If you + want to pray, do it quick, for my finger air itchin' to pull + th' trigger."</p> + + <p>Layson's blood and breeding told, in this emergency. He did + not flinch a whit. "I'm ready," he said calmly. "I'm not afraid + to die, though it's hard to meet death at the hands of a + coward."</p> + + <p>"Coward!" said the mountaineer, amazed. "You call me + that?"</p> + + <p>"The man who shoots another in cold blood, giving him no + chance for his life, deserves no better name."</p> + + <p>This appealed to Lorey. So had his father died—at the + hands of one who killed him in cold blood, giving him no chance + for his life. "You shan't die callin' me that!" he cried. He + leaned his rifle against a nearby rock, threw his knife upon + the ground beside it, pulled off his coat, and thus, unarmed, + advanced upon his enemy. "We're ekal now," he said with grim + intensity, and pointed to the chasm through which ran the + stream which made Madge Brierly's refuge an island. "That gully + air a hundred feet straight down," he said, "an' its bottom air + kivered with rocks. When we're through, your body or mine'll + lay there. Air you ready?"</p> + + <p>Holton, tense with excitement, was watching every move of + the two men from his hidden vantage point. Upon his face was + the expression of an animal of prey.</p> + + <p>"Ready!" said Frank, quietly.</p> + + <p>It was a terrific struggle which ensued. The trained muscles + of the lowland athlete were matched against the lithe thews of + the mountaineer so evenly that, for a time, there was doubt of + what the outcome might be. Holton, watching, watching, thrilled + with every second of it. Little he cared which man won; the + best thing which possibly could happen, for his own good, he + reflected, would be that both should crash down to the bottom + of the gully locked in one of their bear-hugs, to fall together + on the jagged rocks below. The fierce breathing of the + contestants, the shuffle of their struggling feet upon the + ground, the occasional involuntary groan from one man or the + other as his adversary crushed him in embrace so painful that + an exclamation could not be suppressed, were all music to the + ears of the old man behind the rock. Both youths were perils to + him. Let them kill each other. He would be the gainer, whatever + the outcome of the battle.</p> + + <p>Suddenly Frank's foot slipped on a rolling pebble. Instantly + Lorey had taken advantage of the mishap, and, with a quick + wrench, thrown him crashing to the earth. He lay there, + scarcely breathing, utterly unconscious.</p> + + <p>The mountaineer bent over him, ready to meet the first sign + of revival with renewed attack, his bloodshot eyes strained on + the face of the young man upon the ground. Then, anxious to be + satisfied that his prostrate enemy was not feigning, he knelt + by him and peered into his face, placed his hand upon his chest + above his heart, felt his pulse with awkward fingers. He + wondered, now, if he had not killed him, outright, for Frank's + head had struck the ground with a terrific impact. But Layson's + nostrils soon began to dilate and contract with a spasmodic + breathing. He still lived.</p> + + <p>Rendered careless by the excitement of the moment, Joe again + yielded to the habit engendered by much solitude and spoke his + thoughts aloud.</p> + + <p>"It'll be long afore he'll stir," he muttered. "I'll throw + him down into th' gully."</p> + + <p>He rose, and, going to the side of the ravine, peered over + with a fearful curiosity at the brawling torrent, cut into + foam-ribbons by a horde of knife-edged rocks. Then he went to + Layson and stretched out his hand to grasp his shoulder.</p> + + <p>Occurred a psychological phenomenon. He found his courage + fail at thought of laying hands upon the man as he was + stretched there helpless.</p> + + <p>"I—I can't touch him!" he exclaimed. "It'd + be—why, it'd be like handlin' th' dead!"</p> + + <p>He drew back, nonplussed, ashamed of his own timidity, yet + unable to overcome it. He had felled the man and meant to kill + him, yet, now, he could not bring himself to lay a hand upon + him.</p> + + <p>The thought then flashed into his mind of the dreadful + contents of his old game-sack.</p> + + <p>"Th' bomb," he said. "Th' dynamighty bomb that I was savin' + for th' revenuers! Let that finish out th' man as set 'em onto + me!"</p> + + <p>He took the bomb from the old sack with trembling fingers, + laid it by Frank's side and, with a match which flickered + because the hands which held it were unsteady as a palsied + man's, set fire to the fuse. Then he drew off to one side.</p> + + <p>"Now, burn!" he said, with set teeth and lowering brow. + "Burn! Burn!"</p> + + <p>For a second he stood there, watching the sparking sputter + of the powder as it slowly ate its way along the little paper + tube. Then, suddenly, a dreadful thought occurred to him. The + girl! What if Madge Brierly should come to meet the lowlander + before the bomb exploded, should see him lying there, should + hurry to him, frightened, and get there just in time + to—</p> + + <p>He shuddered. He must protect the girl he loved! She could + reach the side of the endangered man only by means of the small + bridge. But one rope held it in position above the deep, + precipitous-sided gully.</p> + + <p>He raised his rifle to his shoulder. It was a hard shot, one + which most men would have deemed impossible, but there was a + star in line. He fired. The bridge crashed down, a ruin, the + severed rope now dangling limply, freed of the burden it had + held for many years.</p> + + <p>"She's safe!" said he.</p> + + <p>For another instant he stood studying the spluttering fuse. + From what he had seen at the railroad workings he knew it was + destined to burn long enough so that many workmen could get out + of danger before the spark reached the strong explosive in the + cartridge. He need not hurry.</p> + + <p>"In three minutes it'll all be ended," he reflected. "He's + as helpless as a baby; he can't strike back, now; it's no more + nor he deserves. I'm goin'."</p> + + <p>He straightened up and would have hurried off, had not, at + just that moment, the sweet voice of the girl he loved rung + through the brooding, fragrant evening air, in song.</p> + + <p>It brought him to himself, it filled him with a horrified + realization of the foulness of the deed which he was + contemplating.</p> + + <p>"No—no!" said he. "Why, I'd be the coward that he + called me!"</p> + + <p>He hurried to the fuse and, with trembling eagerness, + stamped out the spark which, now, was creeping close indeed to + that point where it would have blossomed into the terrifying + flower of death.</p> + + <p>"I'll fight him ag'in," he said; and then, addressing the + now extinguished fuse, the harmless cartridge of explosive: + "You lie thar and prove ter him I ain't no coward!"</p> + + <p>He hurried down the trail.</p> + + <p>Holton, vastly disappointed, crept out from his hiding + place. "The fool!" he muttered. "Oh, the fool! That thar little + spark would a' put me even an' made me safe fer life! An' it + war lighted—it war lighted!"</p> + + <p>His regret was keen. He raged there like a madman robbed of + his intended prey. Then, suddenly:</p> + + <p>"But—who'll believe him when he says he put it out? + I'll—do it!"</p> + + <p>He hastily took out a match, struck it, relighted the dead + fuse.</p> + + <p>"It'll be his work, not mine!" he thought, exultantly, as he + paused to see that the fuse would surely burn.</p> + + <p>As he turned to hasten from the spot he caught a glimpse of + something white across the gully at the thresh-hold of the + girl's cabin. For a second this was terrifying, but he quickly + regained poise. The bridge was gone. She could not reach the + side of the endangered man to save him, she could not reach the + mainland to pursue him and discover his identity. He fled.</p> + + <p>The girl was worried by the long delay in Layson's coming. + For fully half an hour she had been listening for his cheery + hail—that hail which had, of late, come to mean so much + to her—as she worked about her household tasks. The last + words he had said to her had hinted at such unimagined + possibilities of riches, of education, of delirious delights to + come, that her impatience was but natural; and, besides this, + Joe's words had worried her. She did not think the mountaineer + would ever really let his jealousy lead him to a foul attack + upon his rival, but his words had worried her. She stood upon + her doorstep, hand above her eyes, and peered across the gorge + toward where the trail debouched into the little clearing.</p> + + <p>Nothing was in sight there, and her gaze wandered along the + little rocky field, in aimless scrutiny. Finally it chanced + upon the prostrate form of the young man.</p> + + <p>"What's that lyin' thar?" she thought, intensely startled. + And then, after another moment's peering: "Why, it's Mr. + Frank!"</p> + + <p>She was amazed and frightened. Then her eye caught the + little sputtering of sparks along the fuse. It further startled + her.</p> + + <p>"It's Mr. Frank and somethin's burnin' close beside + him!"</p> + + <p>Suspicion flashed into her mind like lightning, followed, + almost instantly, by firm conviction.</p> + + <p>"It's a fuse," she cried, "an' thar by him is th' bomb! It's + Joe Lorey's work! Oh, oh—"</p> + + <p>She sprang down the rough path toward the place where, ever + since she could remember, the little bridge had swung. Now, + though, it was gone.</p> + + <p>"The bridge!" she cried. "The bridge! It's gone! I can't + cross! I've got to see him die!"</p> + + <p>Her frantic eyes caught sight of the frayed rope, dangling + from the firm supports which had so long held up the bridge by + means of it. Instantly her quick mind saw the only chance there + was to save the man whom, now, she knew she loved. She sprang + for the rope and caught it, gave herself a mighty push with + both her agile feet, and, hanging above certain death if hold + should fail or rope break, swung across the chasm and found + foothold on the mainland.</p> + + <p>In another second she was at the side of the unconscious + man. Another and she had the cartridge, sputtering fuse and + all, in her right hand, another and the deadly thing was + hurtling to the bottom of the deep ravine, whence an almost + immediately ensuing crashing boom told her that she had not + arrived a moment sooner than had been essential to the + salvation of the man she loved.</p> + + <p>She knelt by Frank, pulled his head up to her knee, chafed + at his insensate hands, and called to him wildly, fearing that + he was dead.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_XII"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XII</h2><br> + + + <p>Joe Lorey was unhappy in his mountains. After the visiting + party had gone down from Layson's camp, and, in course of time, + Layson himself had followed them because of the approach of the + great race which was to make or mar his fortunes, the man + breathed easier, although their coming and the subsequent + events had made, he knew, impressions on his life which never + could be wiped away. He hated Layson none the less because he + had departed. He argued that he had not gone until he viciously + had stolen that thing which he, Lorey, valued most: the love of + beautiful Madge Brierly. He brooded constantly upon this, + neglecting his small mountain farm, spending almost all his + time at his illegal trade of brewing untaxed whisky in his + hidden still, despite the girl's continual urgings to give up + the perilous occupation before it was too late. He had told her + that he would, if she would marry him; now that she would not, + he told her surlily that he would continue to defy the law even + if he knew that every "revenuer" in the state was on his trail. + He was conscious that there was real danger; he believed that + Layson knew about the still and that the bitter enmity + resulting from the fight which had so nearly proved his death + might prompt him to betrayal of the secret; but with the + stubbornness of the mountaineer he clung doggedly to his + illegal apparatus in the mountain-cave, kept doggedly at the + illegal work he did with it. It was characteristic of the man, + his forbears and his breed in general, that, now, when he knew + that deadly danger well might threaten, he sent more moonshine + whisky from the still than ever had gone from it in like length + of time, either in his father's day or his.</p> + + <p>That his actual and only dangerous enemy was Holton, he did + not, for an instant, guess. He knew of not the slightest reason + why this stranger should include him in the hatred he had sworn + he felt for Layson—that hatred which, he had assured him, + was as bitter as his own. He would have been as much astonished + as dismayed had he known that Holton's almost instant action, + upon arriving at the county-seat, had been to make a visit to + the local chief of the Revenue-Service—cautiously, at + night, for to be known as an informer might have cost his life + at other hands than Lorey's, would have made the mountain for + far miles blaze vividly with wrath against him.</p> + + <p>So, defiant of the man he thought to be his foe, unconscious + of the hatred of the man who really was, Lorey was working in + his still when a small boy, sent up from a cabin far below, + dashed, breathless, to him with the news that revenue-men were + actually upon their way in his direction. He had scarcely time + to put his fire out, hide the lighter portions of his apparatus + and flee to a safe hiding-place, nearby, before, clambering + with lithe skill and caution almost equal to his own along the + rocky pathways of the mountain-side, armed like soldiers + scouting in a hostile country, cool-eyed as Indians, hard-faced + as executioners, they actually appeared.</p> + + <p>For a time, as Lorey watched their progress from his covert, + he held his rifle levelled, held his finger on its trigger, + determined to kill them in their tracks; and it was no thrill + of mercy for the men or fear of consequences to himself which + saved their lives. It was rather that he did not wish further + to risk his liberty until he had had opportunity to glance + along the gleaming barrel of his rifle as it was pointed at + Frank Layson's heart.</p> + + <p>After the men had gone he went back to his still to view the + ruins they had left behind them. His wrath was terrible. Madge, + who had, of course, learned what had happened almost instantly, + for the still was scarcely out of hearing of her cabin, tried + vainly to console, to calm him. He turned on her with a rage of + which, in all her life among hot-tempered mountaineers, she had + never seen the equal, and chokingly swore vengeance on the man + who had given the information which had resulted in the + raid.</p> + + <p>"They come straight to th' still," he told her, "never + falterin', never wonderin' if, maybe, they was on th' right + path. Ev'ry inch o' th' hull way had been mapped out for 'em, + an' they didn't make a mis-step from th' valley to th' very + entrance o' th' cave. I'll git th' chap that planned their + course out for 'em thataway! I'll git 'im, Madge! I'll git 'im, + sure!"</p> + + <p>Her heart sank in her breast like lead. She knew perfectly + whom Lorey meant. She knew as perfectly that Layson never had + informed upon the moonshiner, but she also knew that Heaven + itself could not, then, convince the man of that.</p> + + <p>"Who do you mean you'll git, Joe?" she faltered, hoping + against hope that she was wrong in her suspicions.</p> + + <p>"You know well enough," he answered. "Who would I mean but + that damn' furriner, Frank Layson? He warn't satisfied with + comin' here an' stealin' you away from me! He had to put th' + revenuers on th' track o' th' old still that was my dad's afore + me, an' has been th' one thing, siden you, I've ever keered fer + in my life."</p> + + <p>"You're wrong, Joe," she insisted. "You're shore wrong. + Frank Layson'd never do a coward's trick like that!"</p> + + <p>"He done it!" Lorey answered doggedly. "He done it, an' as + there is a God in Heaven he air goin' to pay th' price fer + doin' it!"</p> + + <p>With that he stalked off down the trail, his rifle held as + ever in the crook of his elbow, his brows as black as human + brows could be.</p> + + <p>For a time she sat there on a rock, gazing after him, + half-stupefied, with eyes wide, terror-stricken. What could a + mere girl do to avert the dreadful tragedy impending? Tireless + as he was, she knew that he could keep upon the trail for + twenty-four hours without a pause, and that such travelling, + with the lifts which he would get from mountain teamsters, + would take him to the home of the man whose life he had + determined to snuff out at any hazard. Beside herself with + fright for Frank, she sped back to her cabin, took what food + was ready-cooked and could be bundled up to carry on the + journey, put on her heaviest shoes and started for the door. + But, suddenly, the thought flashed through her mind that, even + as Joe Lorey was bound down the trails to meet his rival, so + would she be bound down them to meet her own. She could not + bear the thought of facing Barbara Holton, clad, as she was + now, in rough, half-shapeless, mountain-homespun. She made + another bundle, larger than the one which held her food, by + many times, and, when she finally set off, this bundle held the + finery which she had so laboriously prepared in the mad hope of + rivaling the work of the bluegrass belle's accomplished city + dressmakers.</p> + + <p>Down in the bluegrass home of the ancient Layson family all + was excitement in anticipation of the race which was to mean so + much to the fortunes of the young master of the fine old + mansion which, with pillared porticos and mighty chimneys, + dominated the whole section. Layson's heart was filled with + confidence whenever he went to the stables to view the really + startling beauty of the lovely animal on which his hope was + pinned; it sunk into despair, when, seated in his study in the + house, away from her, he counted up the cost of all which he + would lose if she did not run first in the great race.</p> + + <p>None but the Colonel, Miss Alathea and himself had an idea + of the real magnitude of the stakes dependant on Queen Bess. + Upon the glossy shoulders of the lovely mare rested, indeed, a + great burden of responsibility. If she won she would not only + secure the large purse for the owner, but be salable for a + price which would enable him to take advantage, fully, of the + offer which the syndicate had made to develop his coal lands. + If she failed—well, the fortunes of the house of Layson + would be seriously shattered.</p> + + <p>No wonder, then, that Uncle Neb, in whom his master's + confidence was absolute, had strict injunctions closely to + guard the mare. The faithful negro watched her with a vigilance + which was scarcely less unremitting in the daytime than it was + at night when he slept upon the very straw which bedded + her.</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea, intensely prejudiced against horse-racing and + the gambling which invariably goes with it, by the Colonel's + wasted life and her own ensuing loneliness, nevertheless prayed + night and day that Queen Bess would be victorious, for Frank + had finally refused, point-blank, to let her risk her fortune + in the scheme for the development of his coal-lands, and so, if + the mare lost and the eastern firm refused to purchase her at + the large price which would enable him to join the syndicate, + his great chance would be gone. Perhaps not once in the world's + history had any maiden-lady, constitutionally opposed to + betting and the race-track, given as much thought to an + impending contest between horses on which great sums were + certain to be won and lost, as Miss Alathea did, these + days.</p> + + <p>And if Miss Alathea was excited, what should be said about + the gallant Colonel? Every day he visited the Layson place; + every day he scrutinized the mare with wise and anxious eyes; + every day he from his soul assured her owner and her owner's + aunt that it was quite impossible that she should lose; every + day he cautioned Neb, her guardian, to let no human being, whom + he did not know and whom he and his master had not every cause + to trust implicitly, approach the splendid beast. Wise in the + ways of race-tracks and the unscrupulous men who have, + unfortunately, thrown the sport of kings into sad disrepute, he + feared some treachery continually.</p> + + <p>Neb scarcely left the stable-yard, by day, unless the mare + went with him, by night he slept so that he could, by reaching + out a wrinkled, ebon hand, actually touch her glossy hide. He + fed her himself with oats and hay which he examined with the + utmost care before they found her manger or her rack; he + watered her himself with water from a well within the stable + and guarded by locked doors, drawn in a pail which, invariably, + he rinsed with boiling water before he filled it up for her. No + drugs should reach that mare if <i>he</i> could help it! None + but himself or his "Marse Frank" was under any circumstances + permitted to get on her back. If watchfulness could possibly + preserve the mare unharmed and in fine shape until the day of + the great race, Neb plainly meant to see that this was done. + Even the amateur brass-band and glee-club into which he had + organized the stable-boys and other negro lads about the place, + and of which he acted as drum-major—the proudest moment + of his life were when he donned the moth-eaten old shako which + was his towering badge of leadership—must practice + nowhere save within the stable-yard, where he could train them + and, at the same time, keep watchful eyes upon Queen Bess' + quarters.</p> + + <p>The negroes, young and old, about the place, indeed, were + wild with their enthusiasm for the mare. The day before the + race a delegation of them, full of eagerness, met Neb as he + came out of the stable.</p> + + <p>"Say, Unc Neb," said one of them, "we-all's made a + pool."</p> + + <p>"Pool on de races?"</p> + + <p>"Uh-huh! An' we-all wants to know jes' what we ought to put + ouah money on."</p> + + <p>They well knew what he would say.</p> + + <p>"Queen Bess, fo' suah," he answered, to their vast delight. + "Queen Bess ebery time. She's fit to run fo' huh life."</p> + + <p>The boys accepted the suggestion with a shout, and he was + about to enter into one of the long dissertations on the strong + points of his equine darling, when he was informed that some + stranger was approaching. He peered down the road with his old + eyes, but could not recognize the visitor.</p> + + <p>"Who is it?" he asked one of the black lads.</p> + + <p>"Marse Holton."</p> + + <p>"Marse Holton!" he repeated dryly. "Run along, now, honiest. + Unc' Neb gwine be busy. I won't hab dat ar Marse Holton pryin' + round dat mare. Hoodoo her fo' suah." He sidled to the stable + door, and, careful to see that his bent body hid the operation + from the coming visitor, turned the key in the big lock. The + key he then slipped into his capacious trousers pocket.</p> + + <p>"Hello, Neb," said Holton, affably, as he came up.</p> + + <p>"Ebenin', suh." Neb added nothing to this greeting and went + nonchalantly to a distant bench to sit down on it + carelessly.</p> + + <p>"I say, Neb," said Holton, "I expect to do a little betting, + so I thought I'd jest drop over and take a look at Layson's + mare."</p> + + <p>Neb sat immovable upon his bench. At first, indeed, he did + not even speak, but, finally, he looked at Holton calmly, took + the key out of his pocket, tossed it in the air, caught it as + it came down, put it back into his pocket and dryly said: + "T'ink not, suh."</p> + + <p>Holton, paying no attention to him, had gone on to the + stable-door and tried it. Finding it to be fast locked, he + turned back toward the darkey. "The door's locked, Neb," he + said.</p> + + <p>"Knowed dat afore, suh," Neb replied.</p> + + <p>Holton was nettled by his nonchalance. "Open that door!" he + ordered.</p> + + <p>"Not widout Marse Holton's ohduhs, suh," Neb answered + calmly.</p> + + <p>"What do you mean?" demanded Holton, angrily.</p> + + <p>"Jus' what I say, suh."</p> + + <p>Holton made a slightly threatening movement toward him, but + Neb did not even wink.</p> + + <p>"Don't git riled, suh—bad fo' de livuh, suh."</p> + + <p>Holton, now, was very angry. "Look here," he said, advancing + on the aged negro angrily. "Do you dare insult a friend and + neighbor of Mr. Layson?"</p> + + <p>Neb slowly rose and answered with some dignity: "I dares + obey Marse Frank's plain ohduhs, suh. Dat mare represents full + twenty-fi' thousan' dolluhs to him" (Neb rolled the handsome + figures lovingly upon his tongue), "an' dere's thousan's + more'll be bet on huh to-morruh." He looked at Holton with but + thinly veiled contempt. "Plenty men 'u'd risk deir wuthless + lives to drug huh."</p> + + <p>"Oh, shucks!" said Holton, trying to control his temper + because of his great eagerness to get in to the mare. "She + would be safe with me; you know it."</p> + + <p>"I knows Marse Frank hab barred ebery window an' sealed + ebery doah but dis one, an' gib me ohduhs to let no one in + 'cept he is by. I stan's by dem ohduhs while dere's bref in my + ol' body."</p> + + <p>Holton was infuriated. "It's lucky for you I'm not your + master!"</p> + + <p>"Dat's what I t'ink, suh."</p> + + <p>"If you <i>was</i> my nigger, I'd teach you perliteness with + a black-snake whip! I'll see what Layson'll say to such sass as + you've gin me. Jest you wait till you hear from him."</p> + + <p>Neb was not impressed by the man's wrath. "Huhd from him + afoah, suh. Oh, I'll wait, I'll wait."</p> + + <p>He went up to the stable-door, unlocked it and stood in the + open portal. Holton would have followed him, but Neb began to + close the door.</p> + + <p>"You'll wait, too, suh," said the negro, grinning, "on de + outside, suh."</p> + + <p>He closed and locked the door on the inside.</p> + + <p>Holton was beside himself with wrath. "Damn him! Damn him!" + he exclaimed. "Damn him and damn his proud young puppy of a + master! I'll ruin him! I'll set my foot on him and smash him, + yet!"</p> + + <p>Baffled, he walked down the drive.</p> + + <p>"There's a way," he told himself. "It's bold and risky, but + nobody'll suspicion me. I've kept straight here in the + bluegrass. The mountains and all as ever knowed me thar are far + away!"</p> + + <p>But all who had known him in the mountains were not as far + away as he supposed. Even as he spoke a dusty, weary figure in + worn homespun, carrying a mammoth bundle, limping sadly upon + bruised and blistered feet, came through the shrubbery, + approaching the great stables from the far side of the big + house-lot. Holton looked at this wayfarer with amazement.</p> + + <p>"Madge Brierly!" he cried. "Gal, what are you a-doin' + here?"</p> + + <p>"Don't know's I've got any call to tell you," Madge replied, + almost as much astonished at the sight of him as he had been at + sight of her. Then she smiled roguishly at him. "Maybe you'll + find out, though."</p> + + <p>"I tell you this ain't no place for you," he admonished her. + "Lordy! They takes up folks that looks like you, for vagrants. + Take my advice, turn back to the mountings."</p> + + <p>She looked at him with that same smile, still + unimpressed.</p> + + <p>For no reason which he could have well explained the man was + almost panic-stricken in his keen anxiety to get the girl away + from the old Layson homestead and the possibility of meeting + those who dwelt therein.</p> + + <p>"Here, if you'll go," he added, and thrust his hand into his + pocket, "I'll give you money—money to help you on your + way."</p> + + <p>Still she smiled at him with that aggravating, meaning + smile; that smile which he could by no means fathom and of + which she scarcely knew the meaning. "No," she said, "I don't + want your money. You couldn't hire me to leave the bluegrass + till I've seen Frank Layson."</p> + + <p>Seeing that she was determined, unable to conjecture what + she had come down for, realizing, upon second thought, that it + was most improbable that she had any tale to tell of him, he + reluctantly gave way. "As you will, then," he said slowly. "But + let me warn you that you won't be welcome hyar. You'll learn + the difference between the mounting and the bluegrass folks. + You'd better think it over and turn back."</p> + + <p>"I'll not," said she.</p> + + <p>As he walked disgustedly away she watched him curiously. "I + wonder why he is so sot on makin' me go back?" she mused. + "Maybe he air right in sayin' that I won't be welcome; but I'll + do my duty, just th' same!"</p> + + <p>Neb came out from the stable. The girl saw him with delight. + "Dellaw!" she said. "How tired I be! Howdy, Uncle Neb; + howdy!"</p> + + <p>"Sakes alive!" he cried. "It's de frenomenom, come down frum + de mountains! Howdy, honey, howdy!" He hurried toward her and + saw that she was near to tears from weariness and the strain of + what she had gone through and what she had to tell. "Why, + chil', what's de mattuh?"</p> + + <p>"Pebble in my shoe," she answered, and busied herself as if + removing one. "All right in a minute. This air a long way from + th' mountings."</p> + + <p>"Honey, you don't mean you <i>walked</i>!"</p> + + <p>"Had to. Wings ain't growed, yet. Say; I've come to bring a + word to Mr. Frank. Is he to home?" She motioned toward the + stable, which was the finest building she had ever seen.</p> + + <p>"Yes; but he don't lib dar, honey."</p> + + <p>"Don't he? Who does, then?"</p> + + <p>"Queen Bess."</p> + + <p>"Queen Bess!" The girl was thunderstruck; her worry choked + her. She knew Frank owned a blooded mare, but did not know her + name, and she had but vaguely heard of queens. "Well—air + she to home?"</p> + + <p>"Yes; an' Marse Frank, an' Miss 'Lethe, an' Miss Barbara's + comin', purty soon, to see huh."</p> + + <p>"Miss Barbarous!" said Madge, aroused by the mere mention of + the girl who, from the start, she had recognized, + instinctively, as her real enemy. It had been thought of her, + alone, which had made her bear the weary burden of the bundle + on the long journey from the mountains. "I'd like to fix a + little, 'fore she comes. I got some idees o' fashion from her, + when she was up thar, an' I been workin' ev'ry minute I could + spare, since then, on a new dress. Ain't thar some place I can + go to fashion up before they come?"</p> + + <p>The old negro was acutely sympathetic. He disliked Miss + Barbara and liked the mountain girl. His old black head, thick + as it was, sometimes, had quickly recognized the fact that + Barbara regarded Madge as one to be despised, humiliated, while + his master treated her with much consideration and thought + highly of her. He did not like the daughter of Horace Holton + any better than he liked the man himself. If he could help the + mountain girl he would. The only place where she could possibly + find privacy, without going to the house, was in the stable + with the race-horse. He would have trusted no one else on earth + with her; to distrust Madge, however, did not once occur to + him.</p> + + <p>"Missy," he said slowly, "I reckon you can go right in dar + wid Queen Bess."</p> + + <p>She was a bit appalled. "Maybe she wouldn't like it," she + objected.</p> + + <p>"She won't keer if you don't go too close."</p> + + <p>"I'm kinder 'feared."</p> + + <p>"Don't gib her no chance to kick. You's all right, den."</p> + + <p>"Kick!" said the girl, amazed. Kicking did not seem to her + to fit the character of queens.</p> + + <p>Neb unlocked the stable door. "Or bite," he added.</p> + + <p>"Bite! Dellaw!" the girl exclaimed, still more amazed. How + little she had learned of royalty up in the mountains!</p> + + <p>The aged negro threw the door wide open. "Go in, honey, now; + go in," he said.</p> + + <p>"I'm skeered!" she said, and tiptoed to the stable door. She + peered in cautiously. Then she turned and faced him with + much-puzzled eyes. "I don't see nothin' but a hoss," she + said.</p> + + <p>"Uh-huh; dat's Queen Bess." Old Neb stood chuckling, looking + at her.</p> + + <p>"Queen Bess is Mister Frank's race-hoss!" she cried, + delighted by the revelation. "Well, now, I feel to home." She + went into the stable with her bundle, half-closed the door and + then peeped out at Neb. "You won't let any one come in?"</p> + + <p>He held the key up reassuringly. "Don't you see I's got de + key, honey?"</p> + + <p>"I'd feel safer if I had that key myself," said she, and + snatched it from him. An instant later and the door was closed + and locked on the inside.</p> + + <p>Neb was alarmed. He had disobeyed plain orders in letting + her go in at all. For him to let that key out of his possession + was a further violation which he feared to be responsible for. + He pounded on the door. "Open de doah, honey," he implored. "I + mus' hab dat key!"</p> + + <p>"All right," said she, "soon's I am dressed."</p> + + <p>He fell back from the door dismayed. "De Lawd help me!" he + groaned. "What's I gwine ter do? An' I war so mighty firm 'bout + dat key wid Marse Holton!" He paced the space before the stable + door in agitation. "But I reckon she'll be t'rough befo' Marse + Frank comes," he comforted himself.</p> + + <p>She was not, though. While Neb still paced the stable yard + in acute worry, Frank, Miss Alathea, Barbara and Holton came + toward him in a laughing group. He almost fainted.</p> + + <p>"Here we are, Neb," his master cried, "ready for a look at + Queen Bess."</p> + + <p>"Yessah, yessah, pwesently!" Neb stammered, and would have + paled had nature made provision for such exhibition of his + feelings. "I jus' nachelly hab got to speak to dem ar stable + boys a minute, fust. Jus' 'scuse me fo' a minute, suh." He + vanished hurriedly, hoping that by this diversion he could gain + a little time for Madge and for himself.</p> + + <p>Layson gazed after him with some astonishment, then went and + tried the stable door. "Of course the door's locked," he + explained, annoyed, "but he'll be back here in a minute."</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea smiled. The attitude of the young master toward + the aged negro often was amusing to her. She liked to watch the + constant evidence of that rare affection which formed an + inseparable bond between them.</p> + + <p>Suddenly she heard the crunching of a man's heavy footsteps + on the gravel, back of them. Turning, she saw that the newcomer + was the Colonel, and the Colonel in great haste. This was most + impressive, for the Colonel did not often hurry.</p> + + <p>"Here comes the Colonel, Frank," she said, "and see how he + is hurrying!"</p> + + <p>"Something's up," her nephew answered, "when the Colonel + hurries." Then, as the horseman came up to them: "Why, Colonel, + what's the matter?"</p> + + <p>"A shock! A regular shock! As I came from Lexington, just + now, I saw you standing here, so I sent the boy on with the + buggy and cut across to meet you. Just as I passed the thicket + by the spring I caught a glimpse of a man, who then vanished + like a ghost, but I swear that man was that lank mountaineer, + Joe Lorey, and that he tried to keep out of my sight."</p> + + <p>"Joe Lorey!" Frank exclaimed. "What can he want down + here?"</p> + + <p>"Who knows? Maybe to finish the work he began in the + mountains."</p> + + <p>"More than likely," Holton ventured. "A rifleshot in the + back, or a match touched to a building."</p> + + <p>"<i>I</i> don't believe it," Frank said stoutly. "The man + who laid down his weapons to give me a fair, square fight, + wouldn't stoop to things like that."</p> + + <p>"'Pears to me the man who fired that bomb 'u'd do most + anythin'," said Holton.</p> + + <p>"That was in a fit of anger. Lorey swore to Madge that he + thought better of his impulse to do murder, stamped upon the + burning fuse, and believed that he had put it out, and I + believe him."</p> + + <p>He saw, now, that his aunt was badly frightened, and + cautioned the other men. "Not another word about him, now, at + any rate, or Aunt 'Lethe won't once close her eyes + to-night."</p> + + <p>"Well," said the Colonel, quite agreeing with him and + hastening to change the subject, "here's something much more + interesting, anyway. A letter from the Company. Looks official + and important."</p> + + <p>Frank took the letter, opened it and gazed at it in some + dismay. "I should think so," he exclaimed. "An assessment of + $15,000 on my stock."</p> + + <p>"Fifteen thousand devils!"</p> + + <p>"No; fifteen thousand dollars."</p> + + <p>The Colonel took the letter from his hand and looked at it + with worried eyes. "And you've got to meet it, Frank, or lose + what you've put in."</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea went to her nephew anxiously. "You'll sell + Queen Bess, now, won't you?" she implored. "You could pay it + then. Best sell her."</p> + + <p>The young man stood there, deep in worried thought. "If I + were quite convinced of the Company's good faith in everything, + I'd risk it all, even the loss of Woodlawn, my old home," he + answered.</p> + + <p>Neb now appeared from around a corner of the stable, + evidently having decided that the girl had had enough time for + her toilet, or afraid to wait another minute. His appearance + created a diversion.</p> + + <p>"Here, Neb," said Frank, "we've had enough nonsense. Let's + see Queen Bess, now."</p> + + <p>Neb looked anxiously for signs that Madge was ready to see + visitors, he listened at the door. He saw no sign, he heard no + signal. He was scared, but he was faithful to his promise to + the girl. He planted his old back against the door. "Now de + trouble am commencin'!" he assured himself.</p> + + <p>Holton looked at him with a sour smile. "I hope," he said to + Frank, "that you'll have better luck nor me. Neb wouldn't open + that door for me."</p> + + <p>"Dem was yo' ohduhs, suh," said Neb, appealing to his + master.</p> + + <p>"An' he was powerful sassy in the bargain," Holton went on, + full of malice, hoping to make Neb suffer for defying him.</p> + + <p>Layson, however, much as he was now annoyed by the old + darky's hesitation about opening the stable door for him, + himself, did not propose to chide him for having kept his trust + and held it closed to others. "You mustn't mind Neb," he said + to Holton. "He's a privileged character around here. I had told + him to admit no one, and, as usual, he obeyed my orders + blindly."</p> + + <p>"Yes, suh," Neb declared, delighted, "went it blind, + suh."</p> + + <p>"His obedience," his master went on boastingly, "is really + phenomenal. He wouldn't open that door for anybody. He'd guard + the key with his own life." He turned to Neb. "Wouldn't you, + now, Neb?"</p> + + <p>Neb was disconcerted. It was true enough that from most + people he certainly would have guarded that key with his life. + But at that moment there was one within the stable from whom he + had <i>not</i> guarded it. "Yes—yessah!" he said + hesitantly. And as he said it he would have given anything he + had if he could have laid his hands upon that self-same + key.</p> + + <p>Frank smiled at him. "But I suppose you'll let <i>me</i> + have a look at her."</p> + + <p>"Yes—yessuh—in a—in a minute, suh."</p> + + <p>Layson was annoyed. "Why not at once?" He was beginning to + be frightened. Could something Neb was trying to hide have + happened to the mare?</p> + + <p>"Bekase—bekase—" Ned stammered, "well, to tell + de trufe, suh, bekase I is afeared she ain't quite + dressed."</p> + + <p>"Not dressed! The mare not dressed! Have you lost your + senses? Open that door—quick!"</p> + + <p>"Marse Frank, I cain't. I nachully jus' cain't."</p> + + <p>Holton was enjoying this. "You see," he said, "he won't open + it for nobody. Not even for th' man as owns it an' th' mare + behind it."</p> + + <p>"Give me the key!" said Frank.</p> + + <p>"De key—de key—" Neb stammered.</p> + + <p>"I said the key!"</p> + + <p>The old negro advanced pitifully. "Fo' de lawd, Marse Frank, + I hasn't got it!"</p> + + <p>"He'd guard it with his life!" said Holton, with deep + sarcasm.</p> + + <p>"Where is it?" Frank demanded.</p> + + <p>"In dar," said Neb, and pointed to the stable.</p> + + <p>Layson, astonished and annoyed beyond the power of words by + the old negro's strange performance, fearful of the safety of + his mare, entirely puzzled, sprang toward the stable window and + was about to pull himself up by the ledge so that he might look + in.</p> + + <p>Neb seized him and pulled him from the aperture with a + desperate agility which strained his aged limbs. "Fo' de Lawd's + sake, now, Marse Frank," he cried, "don't yo' dare look t'rough + dat stable winder!"</p> + + <p>Frank, now, was badly frightened. "Is there some one in + there with Queen Bess?" he asked.</p> + + <p>"A young pusson to see you, suh," Neb admitted.</p> + + <p>"And you let that person have the key?"</p> + + <p>"No, suh; it were taken from me."</p> + + <p>Layson was in panic. "Heaven knows," he exclaimed, "what can + have happened here!" He rushed to the stable door and pounded + on it with his fists. "Open at once, or I'll break in the + door," he cried.</p> + + <p>Neb, now, had gone up to the window and looked through it + with desperate glance. What he saw was reassuring. He turned + back toward his master smiling. "Hol' on, Marse Frank, de young + pusson am a-comin' out," he said.</p> + + <p>"Well," said Layson, threateningly, "I'm ready for him." He + braced himself to spring upon some malefactor.</p> + + <p>The door opened and Madge appeared before their astonished + eyes, garbed in a gown which she had fashioned after that which + Barbara had worn up in the hills.</p> + + <p>"Madge!" cried Frank, amazed.</p> + + <p>The Colonel, laughing, approached the girl with outstretched + hand; Neb, relieved, dived through the stable door; Miss + Alathea, who had been under a great strain while the dramatic + little scene had been in progress, dropped limply on Neb's + bench.</p> + + <p>Madge, with a retentive memory of the way Miss "Barbarous" + had greeted her back in the mountains, stepped toward that + much-astonished maiden, opened her red parasol straight in her + face, and courtesied to the rest.</p> + + <p>"Howdy, folks; howdy!" she said, happily.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_XIII"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2><br> + + + <p>The party stood, nonplussed. Frank was first to show signs + of recovery, and, after a moment of completely dazed + astonishment, advanced to Madge with hand outstretched. Her + appearance, astonishing as it had been, had been as great a + relief as he had ever known in all his life. Neb's worry and + insubordination had filled him with the keenest apprehension. + But he had no doubts of Madge. If she had been there with the + mare, the mare was certainly all right, no matter how puzzling + the affair might seem to be upon its surface.</p> + + <p>"Why, little one, this is, indeed, a great surprise and + pleasure!" he exclaimed, with sincere gallantry.</p> + + <p>Madge looked at him with doubtful eyes, from which the + doubt, however, was fast clearing. "Oh, say; are you-uns r'ally + glad to see me?"</p> + + <p>"No one could be more welcome," he assured her, and the + honest pleasure in his eyes convinced her that he did not speak + for mere politeness' sake.</p> + + <p>And now Miss Alathea, recovering from the shock of all that + had preceded the girl's unexpected appearance, went to her + cordially. "We are more than glad, my child," she told her.</p> + + <p>"Glad's no name for it," the gallant Colonel said, advancing + in his turn.</p> + + <p>There could be no doubt of the sincerity of any one who, + thus far, had expressed a welcome for her; but the voice which + now came coldly from Miss Barbara was less convincing. She did + not approach the mountain girl, but sat somewhat superciliously + upon a bench and spoke frigidly. "It is an unexpected + pleasure."</p> + + <p>Madge, not trained to hide her feelings under softened + words, turned on her angrily. "Humph! I wasn't askin' you," she + said. Then, to the others: "I didn't know but what my droppin' + in, permiskus like—"</p> + + <p>"A Kentuckian's friends," said Frank, "are always + welcome."</p> + + <p>"Friends from the word go, remember," said the Colonel.</p> + + <p>"Thankee, Colonel," said the girl. "We'll have that race, + some day; but I won't ride agin you if you ride Queen Bess. Oh, + wouldn't I like to see her go!"</p> + + <p>"So you shall," said Frank. "Neb, is she ready?"</p> + + <p>"Yessuh; all saddled, sur, an' bridled."</p> + + <p>"Oh, let me bring her out," cried Madge. "I'd love to."</p> + + <p>"Lawsy, honey," said the negro, "you couldn't bring her out. + She's dat fretful an' dat nervous dat she'd kill yo', + suah."</p> + + <p>"Get out, Neb!" Madge cried, scornfully. "I ain't afeard of + her. Wild things allays has made friends with me. I've never + seen a horse so skeery that I couldn't manage + him—couldn't make him foller me."</p> + + <p>She pushed the hesitating Neb out of her path and went into + the stable.</p> + + <p>Layson, who was for the moment, at a distance, had not heard + all her talk with Neb, but saw her as she went into the stall + where none but he, himself, and Neb, dared go, and it was + stable talk that, soon or late, Queen Bess would prove to be a + man killer!</p> + + <p>"Neb, stop her! She'll be killed!" he cried.</p> + + <p>Neb ran, as fast as his old legs would carry him, into the + stable; Frank hurried to the stable door.</p> + + <p>"Madge! Madge!" he cried, and then: "Why—look! The + mare is following her as might a kitten!"</p> + + <p>He stepped aside and Madge came from the stable with Queen + Bess behind her, ears pricked forward eagerly as she kept her + eyes on Madge's pursed up, cooing lips, head dropped, neck + stretched in graceful fashion, lifting her dainty feet as + proudly as ever did the queen whom she was named for.</p> + + <p>"Come on, you beauty!" the girl cried. "Oh, it would be like + heaven to ride you; and I could do it, too!"</p> + + <p>"Take her to the track, Neb," Layson ordered. "I'll follow + and give her her exercise."</p> + + <p>Madge, unable to resist the impulse which was thrilling her + with longing, motioned Neb away as he approached to take the + mare. "Go 'way! Go 'way!" she said. Then, to the mare: "Come + on, you dear, come on." She went on slowly, while the mare, in + calm docility, trailed after her. The spectators, who knew the + beast, gazed spellbound.</p> + + <p>Constantly the girl's pleased eyes were on the beautiful + creature following. Never had she seen so perfect an animal; + never had she known one giving such plain signs of high + intelligence. The mare's big eyes, broad forehead, delicate + muzzle, arching neck, strong withers, mighty flanks, and + slender ankles marked her, to the veriest novice, a + thoroughbred of thoroughbreds; her docile and obedient march + showed what seemed like an almost magic power in the delighted + mountain maid. Every drop of blood in the girl's body tingled + with excitement, all her muscles thrilled with mad desire to + mount the wondrous beast and be away as on the wind's wings. + She could imagine what the mare's long strides would be, she + could imagine how exhilerating she would find the steady, + perfect motion of the mighty back.</p> + + <p>"Oh, I can't stand it!" she exclaimed, at length. "I've got + to do it!"</p> + + <p>She paused, and eagerly the mare stepped up to her, + nuzzleing her caressing hand. Then, with a bound, the girl was + on the graceful creature's back, landing in her place as + lightly as a wind-blown thistle-down, as gracefully as a fairy + horsewoman.</p> + + <p>"Heavens!" cried Barbara. "She's on Queen Bess!"</p> + + <p>"She'll be killed!" Miss Alathea screamed, in terror.</p> + + <p>The Colonel, only, recognized her instantly as a born + horsewoman. His expert eye observed with rare delight the ease + with which she mounted, the perfect poise with which she found + her seat, the absolute adjustment of her lithe young motions to + the movements of the mare beneath her from the very moment she + had reached her back.</p> + + <p>"No danger; she rides like a centaur."</p> + + <p>With the others he had stopped, with eyes for nothing but + the girl before them and the splendid animal she rode. "Ah, + what a jockey she would make!"</p> + + <p>Barbara liked this exhibition of the mountain girl's + abilities no better than she had liked anything which Madge had + done. Her lip curled somewhat scornfully. "What a pity that her + sex should bar her from that vocation!" she said coldly.</p> + + <p>She turned to Frank, who was watching Madge with startled + eyes, worried as to the result of this mad prank on both the + girl and mare.</p> + + <p>"Frank," said Barbara, "what a figure she will make to-night + at your lawn-party! How your friends will laugh at her!"</p> + + <p>Layson cast a quick, sharp glance at her. She was not + advancing her own cause by trying, thus, to ridicule the + mountain maiden. "I'll run the risk," he said. "She is my + guest, you know, and, as such, will surely be given every + consideration and courtesy by all."</p> + + <p>"Oh, certainly," said Barbara, seeing that she had gone, + perhaps, too far. "If you wish it. I should be glad to please + you, once again."</p> + + <p>"Nothing could please me more than to have you show her what + kindnesses you can. I know she will feel strange and + worried."</p> + + <p>Madge, sitting Queen Bess with an ease and grace which that + intelligent mare had never found in any other rider, and, now, + far from them at the other end of the great training-field, + absorbed the youth's delighted glances.</p> + + <p>"Can't you forget her for an instant?" exclaimed Barbara. + "You haven't been at all the same since you came back from the + mountains! Once we were always together. Now I never see you + unless I come over here; and no matter what I do, you don't + seem to care."</p> + + <p>Layson was uneasy. He had been aware, for a long time, that, + sooner or later, a complete understanding of his changed + feelings toward this girl, must, in some way, be accomplished. + Now seemed a good time for it, yet he hesitated at the thought + of it. But the thing had to be gone through with. "I know I + used to play the tyrant, Barbara; but it wasn't a pleasant + rôle, and I was always half-ashamed of it."</p> + + <p>The girl flared into a passion. "What do you mean?"</p> + + <p>"Barbara, I have had no right to go so far, no right to ask + so much of you. From the bottom of my heart I beg forgiveness. + Let us forget it all and just be friends again." And, even as + he spoke, his eyes were wandering toward the girl whom Queen + Bess had so utterly surrendered to. The mare, known since she + had first been saddled, as a terror to all riders, was carrying + her as gently as the veriest country hack had ever borne an old + lady from the farm to market.</p> + + <p>Barbara saw where his attention was, and resentment thrilled + her. "Friends? Never! Frank Layson, I believe I hate you!"</p> + + <p>"Oh, very well," said he, plainly not too much impressed, + "if you want to be unreasonable, why, of course—"</p> + + <p>The girl was frightened at the length to which she had + permitted her ill-temper to carry her. "Oh, no, Frank," she + hastily corrected, "I didn't mean that. Of course I am your + friend."</p> + + <p>"Thank you, Barbara," said he, with a calmness which was + maddening to her. "I am sure we understand each other, now." + And then, still further maddening her: "I must go now, and look + after Madge and dear Queen Bess. I never should forgive myself + if anything should happen to the girl. But nothing will. See + how splendidly she rides!"</p> + + <p>The girl upon the horse, as if conscious of his anxiety + about her, now turned her mount back toward the field-end where + the onlookers were loosely grouped and came toward them at a + slow and gentle canter—a gait which none had ever seen + Queen Bess take before, when a stranger was upon her back. She + leaped from the mare by Layson's side, and Neb, ever anxious + for the welfare of his equine darling, began work without delay + at rubbing Queen Bess down.</p> + + <p>"Reckon you'll never forgive me," Madge apologized to + Layson, "but I just couldn't help it. Never even saw a mare + like her, afore. My pony's no-whar alongside of her. I felt + like an angel sittin' on a cloud an' sailin' straight to + heaven!" She turned and petted the black beauty. "Oh, you + darling!"</p> + + <p>"Got to take her in, now," Neb said, preparing to lead the + mare away. He spoke apologetically as if the girl had rights + which, now, should be consulted. He had never made a like + concession in the past to anyone except his master.</p> + + <p>"Go 'way, go 'way," said Madge, taking the reins from his + black hand. "Ain't no use o' leadin' her—you jest watch + her foller me!"</p> + + <p>She looped the reins about the mare's arched neck, started + off, and, without so much as flicking her long tail, Queen Bess + fell in behind, obedient to her cooing, murmurous calls.</p> + + <p>Frank laughed. "If," he said to the whole party, "you wish + to have a look at the mare's quarters, I think Neb will now + admit us."</p> + + <p>All but the Colonel started toward the stable, but he + hesitated, looking toward Miss Alathea. While the others had + been spellbound by the girl and horse, he, the most + enthusiastic horseman of them all, had been divided in + attention between them and the lady whose notice he attracted, + now, by means of sundry hems and haws.</p> + + <p>"Miss 'Lethe, just a moment," he said softly. She paused and + then went up to him. He held out a newspaper, suddenly at a + loss for words, now that there was a prospect of a moment with + her wholly uninterrupted. "Here," said he, a little panicky, + "is a full account of the revival, sermon and all. Make your + hair stand on end to read it."</p> + + <p>She took the paper, undeceived by his small subterfuge to + gain attention, but interested, as she always was in such + things, in the account of the revival. "This really is + interesting." She sat down on the bench, as they reached the + stable-yard again, and pored above the newspaper.</p> + + <p>In the meantime the Colonel tried to screw his courage to + the sticking point. "Colonel Sandusky Doolittle," he adjured + himself, "if you don't say it now, then you forever hold your + peace, that's all!" He went to his buggy, which had been + brought to the stable yard, and from underneath its seat took a + box containing a bouquet of sweet, old-fashioned flowers. Miss + Alathea, absorbed in the account of the revival, did not notice + him at all. "This will do the business," he reflected. "Now, + Sandusky Doolittle, keep cool, keep cool!" Nervously, as he + gazed at her, his fingers worked among the flowers, + dismembering them unconsciously. "A Kentucky Colonel," he was + saying to himself in scorn, "afraid of a woman!" His fingers + tore the flowers with new activity as his nervousness + increased, making sad work with the magnificent bouquet. "Of + course she is an angel," he reflected, and then, with a grim + humor, "or will be before I ask her, if I wait another twenty + years! But I shall ask her, I shall ask her!" He stepped toward + her boldly, but paused before her in a wordless panic when he + had approached within a yard. "Heavens!" he thought. "My heart + is going at a one-forty gait and the jockey's lost the reins. + I'll be over the fence in another minute if I don't hold tight! + But I have got to do it, this time." He dropped the stems of + the flowers, still bound together by their lengths of wide + white ribbon, into the elaborate box from which, so lately, he + had taken them in their uninjured beauty, not noting the sad + wreck which his too nervous fingers had produced, put on the + cover and approached still nearer. With the box held toward her + bashfully, he managed, then, another step or two. "Miss + 'Lethe," he said stammering, "lawn party to-night—bouquet + for you—brought it from Lexington—for you—for + you, you know."</p> + + <p>The Colonel never was embarrassed save when he was + endeavoring to propose marriage to Miss Alathea and he always + was embarrassed then. She recognized the situation from the + mere tone of his voice and looked up hopefully.</p> + + <p>"Oh, Colonel, how kind!" said she, as she held delighted + hands out for the box. "I know it is beautiful."</p> + + <p>"It was quite the best I could do, Miss 'Lethe," said the + Colonel.</p> + + <p>"You have such splendid taste! I'm sure it's lovely." She + opened the box and looked, expectantly, within. "Why, Colonel," + she cried, disappointed, "where are—where are the + flowers?"</p> + + <p>"Why—why—why," he stammered, and then saw the + mutilated blossoms on the ground around him. "Why, I don't + know—don't know," said he. "'Don't ask me."</p> + + <p>She was rummaging among the stems, nonplussed. "Why, here's + a note!" she said.</p> + + <p>"Thank heaven!" the Colonel thought, "the note's there yet!" + Then, growing bold: "Miss 'Lethe, if you've a kindly feeling + for me in your heart, read that note; but don't you get + excited; keep cool, keep cool!"</p> + + <p>"Why, certainly," said she. "I see no cause for excitement." + She unfolded the note and read, aloud, and very slowly, for the + Colonel's hand was not too easy to decipher. "'My dear, dear + Miss 'Lethe: Woman without her man is a savage.'" She looked + up, naturally astonished by this unusual statement. "Why, + Colonel," she exclaimed, "what can you mean by saying woman is + a savage without her man?"</p> + + <p>He stood appalled for just a second and then realized the + error into which his ardor had misled him. "Great Scott!" he + cried. "I forgot to put in the commas! It ought to read this + way: 'Woman, without her, man is a savage.' Go on, Miss 'Lethe, + please go on."</p> + + <p>She read again: "'I feel that it is time for me to become + civilized—in other words, to come in out of the wet. To + me you have been, for twenty years, the embodiment of woman's + truth, purity and goodness. But constitutional timidity and + chronic financial depression, due to the race-track, have + hitherto kept me silent.'" Miss 'Lethe looked up at him with a + strange expression on her face. "Colonel," she exclaimed, "what + does this mean?"</p> + + <p>"Go on, Miss 'Lethe," was the answer, "please go on, go on." + He made a mighty effort to secure control of his unruly nerves, + and, almost unconsciously, while her head was bent above the + note, took a small flask from his pocket and imbibed from it. + It steadied him.</p> + + <p>She read again: "'I am convinced that my interest in the + company will yield me a competence; accordingly, behold me at + your feet!'"</p> + + <p>Miss 'Lethe looked down somewhat mischievously. She did not + see the Colonel where his note declared he would be. She + glanced again at the paper in her hands and saw a word which, + at first, had quite escaped attention. "'Metaphorically,'" she + read, and then the signature: "'Colonel Sandusky + Doolittle.'"</p> + + <p>"Colonel!" she exclaimed.</p> + + <p>"Miss 'Lethe," he replied, and, discovering that the flask + was still in plain view in his hand, slipped it into his + sidepocket upside down.</p> + + <p>"Colonel, put that bottle right side up and listen to me," + she said calmly. "Do you really love me?"</p> + + <p>"Do I love you? With a + fervor—er—a—passion—er—will you + excuse me if I smoke?" He took a black cigar from his vest + pocket, in another effort to control his nerves, and lighted it + as might an automatic smoker.</p> + + <p>"I am going to put you to the proof," said she. "Could you, + for my sake, come down from ten cigars a day to five?"</p> + + <p>The Colonel was dismayed. "To five cigars a day! + Impossible!" He caught himself. That scarcely was the way to + answer the request of the woman he adored so fervently. "I + mean," he hastily corrected, "is—is that all?" He made a + motion as if to throw away the weed he had just lighted, but + thought better of it. "I will make the descent to-morrow," he + said earnestly.</p> + + <p>"Could you restrict yourself to three mint-julips, + daily?"</p> + + <p>"Three! A man couldn't live on three! He'd have + to—have to take such poisons as—as cold water into + his system."</p> + + <p>"Remember, Colonel, I would mix them."</p> + + <p>"That settles it! Three goes!" He fervently reached toward + her, plainly planning to embrace her.</p> + + <p>"Wait, Colonel," she exclaimed, "there is one more + condition. Could you, for my sake, promise never to enter + another race-track?"</p> + + <p>He started back from her in horror. "Never enter another + race-tack! I, Colonel Sandusky Doolittle, known everywhere, + from Maine to California, as a plunger, give up the absorbing + passion of my life!"</p> + + <p>"Remember what you said to Frank," said she. "'It's a + delusion and a snare.' But, of course, if you think more of a + delusion than you do of me—"</p> + + <p>"No; hang it!" cried the Colonel, "I think more of you. + Twenty years—the longest race on record and a win in + sight! I'll not lose by a balk at the finish! I promise you, + Miss 'Lethe, on the honor of a Kentuckian."</p> + + <p>"Then, Colonel, I must confess, I have loved you, also, for + every one of those long twenty years."</p> + + <p>"Twenty years!" He turned his head aside and muttered: "What + a damned fool I have been!" Then, to her, he said, exultantly: + "Aha! A neck ahead!"</p> + + <p>It is difficult to say what would have happened, then, if + Madge, Holton, Barbara and Frank had not come from the stable, + chattering about Queen Bess.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_XIV"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2><br> + + + <p>Joe Lorey, mad with wrath, his heart filled with the lust of + killing for revenge, infuriated to the point where he felt need + of neither food nor sleep, yet made less rapid time down the + rough mountain paths than had the girl. Love-lent wings are + swifter than an impulse born of hatred and resentment can be. + She had flown upon such wings to save the man who filled her + innocent thoughts with longing; Joe had gone clumsily, despite + his cunning as a mountaineer, for leaden, murderous thoughts + had weighed him down, hampering the quickness of his wit, + delaying his fleet feet, confusing the alertness of his + watchfulness for faint-limned trails, loose areas perilous of + slides upon steep slopes. Indeed, though hate had driven him, + Joe Lorey never in his life had made so very slow a journey to + the bluegrass as that which he had started on from his wrecked + still, with hatred of Frank Layson, who he thought had + viciously betrayed him, blazing in his heart.</p> + + <p>Hours after the light-footed girl, spurred by her fear for + one whom she but dimly guessed that she had learned to love, + had arrived at the bluegrass mansion and been welcomed by the + owner of Queen Bess, the mountaineer reached the confines of + the splendid farm, and lurked there, waiting for night-fall to + make his entrance into the house grounds safe.</p> + + <p>The rough youth's mental state was pitiable. Tragedy had + pursued him, almost from his life's beginning, he reflected, as + he furtively awaited opportunity for the revenge which he had + planned. The fierce feud of the mountains had robbed him of his + parents, and, with them, of the best years of his youth; the + rough life of the mountains had robbed his strong young manhood + of those opportunities which, he dimly realized, might have + made him different and better; when love for sweet Madge + Brierly had come to him, Fate had brought up from the bluegrass + the young stranger, who, with his superior learning, polished + manner and smooth speech, had found the conquest of the girl + (Joe bitterly reflected) all too easy; and finally had come the + crowning, black disaster—the betrayal of his still to the + agents of the government, its destruction and his + transformation from a free man of the mountains into a furtive + outlaw.</p> + + <p>He could not see that life held anything but gloom for + him—black, impenetrable, ever thickening. He had but one + thing left to live for—a revenge as dark as were the + wrongs which he had suffered.</p> + + <p>He knew that government agents have shrewd wits, keen eyes, + strong arms, and never let a moonshiner escape if, through any + strategy, they may bring about his capture; he knew that since + the discovery and destruction of his still he was a marked man; + so it was nearing dusk when, after intensely cautious and + immensely skilful manoeuvering against discovery, he actually + entered the Layson grounds.</p> + + <p>The long, exciting afternoon, full of Queen Bess, a certain + sense of triumph over Barbara Holton, the extent of which she + could not guess, countless thrills of gratitude and exultation + born of the kindness and consideration shown her by Miss + Alathea and the Colonel, had sped away before Madge realized + that it had been half-spent. Now, though, the deepening + twilight warned her of the flight of time and told her that she + must, perforce, perform the task for which she had descended + from the mountains.</p> + + <p>All the others except Frank had drifted toward the house, + and she had hung behind for the express purpose of getting + private speech with him, when she had the day's first + opportunity.</p> + + <p>"Mr. Frank," said she, "afore we go into th' house I got a + word to say to you as I don't want nobody but you to hear."</p> + + <p>A quick glance at her face showed him that what she had to + say was, really, of great importance, for her lovely mouth was + serious, her deep eyes were full of worry, her smooth brow was + nearer to real frowning than he had ever seen it.</p> + + <p>"Why, Madge, what is the matter?"</p> + + <p>She put her hand upon his arm, turning her sweet face up to + him with a revelation of solicitude which, had she known how + plain it was, she would have hidden at all hazard. "It may mean + life or death to you," she told him solemnly.</p> + + <p>"Life or death to me, little girl? What are you talking of?" + said he, almost incredulous.</p> + + <p>"Joe Lorey's still were raided by the revenuers after you + come down!"</p> + + <p>"It can't be possible!"</p> + + <p>"It is. It lies in ruins and in ashes an' he is hidin' out + among th' mountings, somewhars, in danger, ev'ry minute, of + arrest an', then, of prison. 'Twas all he had in th' wide + world."</p> + + <p>"Poor fellow! I am sorry," said Layson, with quick sympathy. + "I'll see what can be done. And you say he's hiding out up in + the mountains?"</p> + + <p>She hesitated. "I said so, but I reckon it ain't true, + exactly. It was that that made me hurry down to speak to you. + Some say as how he has come down into th' bluegrass to find th' + man as gin th' word. It is a crime as never is forgiven in th' + mountings."</p> + + <p>As she spoke, unseen, behind them, a dark, slouching, + furtive figure slipped across an open space and took a + crouching stand behind a tree near by. Had they listened + without speech they might have heard the heavy breathing of the + very man of whom they spoke, might have heard the sharp click + of the lock of his long rifle as he brought its hammer to full + cock. Had they turned about they might have seen the blue glint + of the day's last light upon that rifle's barrel, which was + levelled straight at Layson's heart. But they saw none of these + things nor heard a sound.</p> + + <p>"Who does he think betrayed him?" Layson asked, with deep + interest, but no trace of guilty knowledge, thrilling in his + voice.</p> + + <p>Madge hesitated. Then she blurted out the truth. "Who?" she + repeated, "Why—why you! <i>YOU</i>—YOU!"</p> + + <p>The rifle barrel steadied to its mark, the finger curled to + press upon the trigger.</p> + + <p>"Why, Madge," said Layson, earnestly, "I didn't even know he + had a still! I swear it!"</p> + + <p>There was an honest ring in the youth's voice which could + not be mistaken.</p> + + <p>"I knowed it warn't your doin'," the girl said with a great + sigh of relief.</p> + + <p>And as she spoke the rifle barrel slowly fell.</p> + + <p>"I knowed it warn't your doin', but Joe'll never believe it. + Night an' day you'll have to be close on your guard. There's no + tellin' what minute your life may be in danger."</p> + + <p>"I don't believe it of Joe Lorey," Layson answered + earnestly. "We fought, and he fought fair."</p> + + <p>After they had gone, Joe crept out from his hiding place + among the shrubbery and looked after them with puzzled, + pain-filled eyes, like a great animal's.</p> + + <p>"If they'd only knowed that I war standin' in th' shadder + there!" he mused. "If he hadn't spoke them words I'd pulled th' + trigger, but he spoke up like as ef 't war true an' I jest + couldn't do it."</p> + + <p>A cautious footstep on the close-knit sward, which would + have been inaudible to any ear less keen than his, attracted + his attention, suddenly, and he slipped back to his leafy + hiding-place. Peering from the covert he saw Holton coming. The + man was furtive, apprehensive in his every movement, suspicion + breeding. When Joe stepped out from his thicket boldly, to + confront him, the ex-slave-dealer fell back, frightened.</p> + + <p>"Hello, sir," was Joe's laconic greeting.</p> + + <p>"Joe Lorey!" exclaimed Holton.</p> + + <p>"That's me," Joe boldly granted. He peered at him so closely + that Holton shrank away from him, involuntarily. "And + you—why you're the man as gin th' word that Frank Layson + had warned th' revenooers of my still."</p> + + <p>"I told ye for yer good," said Holton, clearly recognizing + that his position was unfortunate. "An' recollect you promised + not to tell anyone my name."</p> + + <p>Joe nodded gravely. "While I believe ye told th' truth I'll + keep my word," he answered. "But I wants to tell you that I + heered Frank Layson deny it, hyar, to-night, an' it sounded + like he war speakin' th' plain truth. See hyar, sir, you nearly + egged me on to doin' murder." He reached forward and seized + Holton by the shoulder roughly, with a grasp so powerful that + the old man, though he was of sturdy frame and mighty muscle, + knew that he was helpless in the grip. "Now look me in th' + face. Tell me as you vally your own life—war it truth or + lies, you told me?"</p> + + <p>"It war th' truth," said Holton, doggedly; "th' truth an' + nothin' else."</p> + + <p>Joe shook his head incredulously. "I'd like better proof nor + your word, stranger, for, some way, your voice it don't ring + true, nor yer eye look honest."</p> + + <p>"I'll gin ye th' proof," said Holton desperately. "Ye know + that I war never near yer still. Layson told me it war in th' + wall of a ravine—Hangin' Rock Ravine—an' a big oak + stood in front of it an' hid the mouth o' th' cave. Thar, do ye + believe me, now?"</p> + + <p>Joe nodded, slowly, thoughtfully. "No man as lived up in th' + mountings would have told ye." He considered ponderously for a + moment. "Yes, I reckon that I'll have to take yer word. 'T was + him as done it."</p> + + <p>"Of course it war," said Holton, and then, perhaps, a bit + too eagerly: "an' you'll make him pay for it?"</p> + + <p>"Yes," said Joe, "but I've another score to settle, first, + another man to find—Lem Lindsay."</p> + + <p>Holton was plainly startled, although Joe could not guess + just why he should be. "Lem Lindsay!" he exclaimed.</p> + + <p>"Yes; the man as murdered my father. I've had word of him, + at last. I've heard as how he war seen, years ago, in New + Orleans—he war a nigger-trader, then—an' that he's + come up in th' bluegrass country, since, like enough under + another name." He looked at Holton eagerly. "I say, sir, you + don't know a man like that, do you?"</p> + + <p>Holton spoke a little hurriedly. "No, no; there ain't no man + like that in these parts."</p> + + <p>"It don't make no differ whar he bides," said Joe. "Soon or + late our paths'll cross an' bring us face to face. When he + struck down my father it war sealed and signed above that he + war to fall by my hand; an' there's a feelin' in my heart that + that hour air drawin' nigh." He nodded and then turned away. + "Good-night, stranger."</p> + + <p>Holton was thoroughly alarmed. Many things distressed him. + He could plainly see that his daughter's love-affair with + Layson had gone wrong, he realized that there was little chance + that he could buy Madge Brierly's coal lands at anything but a + fair value, and now—to fall by his hand!</p> + + <p>"I'll make that false," he muttered, "Why, I've got to do + it!"</p> + + <p>He moved away among the trees, but stopped in frequent + thought as he progressed.</p> + + <p>"They'll lay the crime on Lorey," he reflected, after he had + laid his plan. "They'll hunt him down and lynch him and I shall + be safe. Layson'll be ruined, he'll have to sell Woodlawn, and + my gal'll be th' missus there, in spite of him. I've got to do + it."</p> + + <p>Like a shadow of the night he hurried through the grounds + until he reached the stable where Queen Bess was thought to be + secure.</p> + + <p>"Every window barred, every door is sealed but this!" he + cunningly reflected as he paused at the front entrance.</p> + + <p>With frantic haste, lest he should be discovered at the + work, he piled brush from a near refuse pile against the door + and stuffed wisps of grass and hay into the bottom of the heap. + Into this tinder pile he thrust a lighted match and + disappeared, just as Madge came to the bench where she had + paused when she first came to Woodlawn, early in the + afternoon.</p> + + <p>It was plain enough, from her dejected looks and listless + attitude, that the dance had given her no pleasure, but, on the + contrary, had filled her with distress.</p> + + <p>"I couldn't stand it thar, no longer," she was thinking, + bitterly. "I war jest a curiosity, like a wild woman. Miss + Barbarous poked fun at me till I war plumb afraid I'd fly at + her like a wild-cat, so I jest slipped away. Oh, I see, now, as + I never seed afore; the differ that there is 'twixt Mr. Frank + an' me! An' I know, now, what 't is air ailin' me. I loves him. + Oh, I loves him better nor my life! But it can't never be." She + dropped her head into her hands and sobbed. "Good-bye, good, + kind, Mr. Frank, good-bye!" She stretched her arms out toward + the mansion she had lately left, where lights were twinkling + gaily, whence sounds of music now came faintly to her ears. + "You'll soon forget the little mounting girl. You'll never know + she loved you. I'm goin' back—back to the old + mountings."</p> + + <p>As she rose an ominous crackling caught her ear and held her + at attention, then, in a horrid flash, the fire blazed out + among the hay and brush which Holton had piled up against the + stable door.</p> + + <p>"Oh, oh!" she cried. "Th' stable is burnin'! Fire! Fire! + Fire! Neb, are you in there? Don't you hear me, Neb? Th' stable + air on fire!"</p> + + <p>Neb's voice came from the dim interior, muffled and + skeptical. "What dat?" he said. "Don't want no foolishness + 'round heah. I's ahmed."</p> + + <p>"It's me, Neb, me," she cried. "Th' stable 's burnin', + Neb!"</p> + + <p>"Gorramighty!" she heard Neb exclaim, now in a voice + expressive of great fright. "Dat's so, dat's so! Quick, honey, + open up de doah!"</p> + + <p>Madge was working at the biggest log which Holton had thrust + against the door to feed the blaze. The flames and smoke surged + 'round her as she struggled with the unwieldy thing, her hands + grasped, more than once, live coals, without making her release + her hold. Once or twice the bursting flames, swung hither and + swung yon by the light, vagrant breezes of the night and the + drafts born of the fire, itself, flared straight toward her + face, and, to save her hair, which, once igniting, would, she + knew, make further work impossible, she had to draw back for a + second; but each time, as she saw another chance, she sprang + again to the desperate task. At last, after a dozen efforts, + she had thrust the blazing log so far from the already burning + door that Neb could push it open. He stumbled out, his old + hands held before him, gropingly, half-suffocated.</p> + + <p>"Neb, you ain't hurt," said she.</p> + + <p>"You go ring dat bell," said he, pointing to a standard + bearing at its top an ornamental iron crotch in which a big + plantation bell was swung. "Soon's I get my bref from all dat + smoke I'll go back an' git Queen Bess."</p> + + <p>The girl sprang to the rope and soon the bell was ringing + out a wild alarm.</p> + + <p>"Hurry, Neb!" she cried. "Oh, hurry! Th' fire's a-gainin', + ev'ry second! Hurry!"</p> + + <p>Neb dashed back into the stable upon trembling limbs, while, + without a pause, the girl kept up the clangor of alarm. Her + eyes were ever on the door through which the faithful black had + disappeared, watching anxiously to see him come out with the + mare.</p> + + <p>But second after second—seconds which seemed to her + like hours—went by and he did not appear again. Her heart + began to beat with frantic fears that Neb, himself, as well as + the superb animal which she had already learned to love, had + fallen victim to the fire, when, at last, he stumbled from the + door.</p> + + <p>"'Tain't no use," he said, as he weakly staggered up to her. + "It kain't be done. Queen Bess am crazy wid de fiah. She jes' + won't come out! I cain't <i>git</i> huh to come out." He + sobbed. "An' she am all dat Marse Frank hab on earth!" Beside + himself he ran off toward the house, shouting for his master + wildly.</p> + + <p>"All he has on earth!" the girl exclaimed, the bell-rope + falling from relaxing hands. An instant she stood there in + thought, horrified at the idea of the catastrophe which + threatened Layson. Then: "I'll save her! She will follow + me!"</p> + + <p>Without a second's hesitation, with no thought for her own + safety, she drew her skirts about her tightly, wrapped her + shawl around her head to save her hair and dashed through the + growing flames about the stable-door, into the inferno which + now raged within the structure, just as Neb, running with a + lurching step, but with a speed remarkable in one so old and + stiffened by rheumatic pains, dashed back to the scene of the + disaster, in advance of Frank, the Colonel, Holton, Miss + Alathea and the other inmates of the house, guests, servants, + all.</p><a name="Illus_4"></a> <br> + + <center> + <a href="images/Illus_4.jpg"><img src="images/Illus_4.jpg" + alt="Back! Back! I'm a-comin' with Queen Bess!" + width="40%"></a> + + <h4>"Back! Back! I'm a-comin' with Queen Bess!"</h4> + </center><br> + <br> + <br> + + + <p>Without a word, as he approached, Frank pulled off his coat, + evidently preparing for a desperate dash through the now + roaring flames to rescue his beloved mare. Then, bracing + himself for a great spring through the lurid barrier, he cried, + "I'll save her!" and would have leaped into the flaming + entrance if Neb had not caught his arm with desperate grip.</p> + + <p>"No, honey," the old negro cried, "yo' shan't go in!"</p> + + <p>The Colonel joined the negro in restraining the half-crazed + owner of Queen Bess. "It's no use, Frank," said he. "We'll not + let you go in."</p> + + <p>They dragged the struggling youth back from the fire just + as, to their amazement, an exultant voice rang from the inside + of the burning building. "Back! Back!" it cried. "I'm a-comin' + with Queen Bess!"</p> + + <p>An instant later Madge sprang out through the flames, + followed by the mare, about whose head the mountain girl had + wrapped her shawl.</p> + + <p>"Come, girl! Come, girl!" said Madge, alert of eye, + cool-witted, soothing.</p> + + <p>As docilely as she had followed her that afternoon, the mare + stepped through the blazing door and out into the + stable-yard.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_XV"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XV</h2><br> + + + <p>Lexington was in a wild state of excitement on the morning + of the year's great race, the Ashland Oaks. In a private parlor + of the Phoenix Hotel the two men who were, perhaps, most deeply + interested of all in it, were weary of their speculations after + they had gone, for the thousandth time, over every detail of + possible prophecy and speculation. The Colonel sat beside a + table upon which stood a "long" glass from which protruded, and + in which nestled fragrant mint-leaves. At the bottom of the + glass there lingered, yet, the good third of a julep.</p> + + <p>"There's one capital thing about a mint-julep," he said + comfortably, and smacked appreciative lips. "One always + suggests another." He drained his glass and rose. At the other + side of the room was the bell-button. His finger was extended + and about to touch it when he stopped to think. "No! Great + heavens!" said he. "That makes my third, already, and I'm as + dry as the desert of Sahara." He sat down again, an air of + martyrdom upon his face. "Ah, well, Miss 'Lethe's worth it. I + say, Frank, anything new in the extra?"</p> + + <p>The youthful owner of Queen Bess, to whom it seemed as if + almost life itself were staked on the result of the coming + contest at the track, lowered, with a nervous hand, for an + instant only, the newspaper he had been poring over.</p> + + <p>"Only this," he said, and slowly read: "'Queen Bess is still + the favorite for the Ashland Oaks. The report that she was + injured in the fire by which her stable was burned, proves to + be a canard. Her owner declares her to be unhurt and in fine + condition.'"</p> + + <p>The Colonel nodded his approval. "That's what I've + telegraphed the Dyer brothers. I'm sure they won't refuse to + take her when they know the facts in the case. It was a close + shave, though. If it hadn't been for that little thoroughbred + from the mountains—"</p> + + <p>"When she rushed into the flames, last night, wasn't she + magnificent!" said Frank, flushing with enthusiasm. "And when + she came out, leading Queen Bess to safety, she looked like an + angel!"</p> + + <p>The Colonel coughed in deprecation. "The simile's off, a + little bit, ain't it? Angels are not supposed to come out of + the flames."</p> + + <p>"At least, Colonel, you'll admit that she's the best and + bravest little girl you ever knew."</p> + + <p>The Colonel smiled. "Yes; but, my boy, this enthusiasm is + alarming." He laughed outright. "It seems to indicate another + conflagration, with Cupid as the incendiary."</p> + + <p>The youth colored. "Oh, nonsense!"</p> + + <p>"Be more careful, Frank," his friend urged, becoming + serious. "She's a dear, simple little thing, not used to the + ways of the world. Don't let her get too fond of you."</p> + + <p>"What do you mean?"</p> + + <p>"See here, my boy. I know you young fellows don't want an + old fool, like me, interfering with your affairs, but I've + taken that little girl right to my heart. I tell you, Frank, + she's too brave and true to be trifled with. She's not that + kind."</p> + + <p>Layson flushed hotly. The intimation, even from the Colonel, + was more than he could bear with patience. "Stop!" he cried. + "You've said enough. What you mean to insinuate is false!"</p> + + <p>The Colonel rose, embarrassed. The youth's earnestness + astonished him. Could it be possible that this scion of an + ancient bluegrass family, this leader of the younger set in one + of the most exclusive circles in Kentucky, could really be + thinking seriously of that untutored mountain-girl? "My boy, + forgive me!" he exclaimed. "I—I didn't understand. I + never dreamed there could be anything—er—serious. I + thought, of course—"</p> + + <p>Frank paced the floor with nervous tread. Other things than + the impending contest for the Ashland Oaks had been worrying + him of late. Since he had left the mountains there had scarcely + been a moment, waking or sleeping, when the face of the sweet + mountain girl who had fascinated him among her rocks and + forests, and had come down to the bluegrass to save not only + his life but the life of his beloved mare, had not been vividly + before him. Untutored she might be, uncouth of speech, + unlearned in all those things, in fact, which the women he had + known had ever held most valuable, but her compensating virtues + had begun to take upon themselves their actual + values—values so overwhelming in their magnitude that her + few lackings grew to seem continually less important in his + mind.</p> + + <p>"Never mind, Colonel," he said slowly, "you can't say + anything to me but what I've said, over and over again, to + myself. I know she's ignorant and uncultured. I know what it + would mean if I should marry her. If I were to choose for a + wife a fashionable girl, whose life is centered in the luxury + which surrounds her, the world would smile approval; but for + Madge, with her true, brave heart and noble thoughts, there + would be only sneers and insults because she happened to be + born up there in the mountains. That is the kind of people we + are down here in the bluegrass." He smiled, somewhat bitterly. + "And I—well, I'm too much like the rest to need any + warning—too much of a coward to think of making her my + wife."</p> + + <p>He sat, dejectedly, in a chair by the long table, and, with + face held between his hands and elbows planted on the board, + looked across it, through the open window, out into the + thronging street with gloomy eyes. For days he had been + fighting battle after battle with himself. He could not make + his mind up as to what he ought to do. He knew he loved the + mountain-girl, but—but—</p> + + <p>"There, there, my boy, I'm sorry," said the Colonel, + sympathetically, apologetically. "Let's drop the subject. The + ladies will be here, soon. Before they come I'll step over to + the office and get the answer from the Dyer Brothers." He rose, + looking at his watch. "It's nearly time it was here. They were + to wire promptly. I'll bring it to you as soon as it comes." He + went to Frank and put his hand upon his shoulder comfortingly. + "Don't worry, my boy. It will all come out, all right. Ahem! I + mean there's nothing the matter with the mare and the sale will + go through."</p> + + <p>"I hope so," said Frank, rising without much show of energy. + He was clearly on the edge of real discouragement. "If it + doesn't—and that assessment to be met—ah, well! + What's the use of worrying? It doesn't help the matter any." He + walked slowly to the window and looked out. "Here come Madge + and Aunt 'Lethe," he announced, "through with their shopping at + last. How different Madge looks from the little mountain-girl I + first knew!" He turned and faced the Colonel. "Ah, if the world + knew her as I do—"</p> + + <p>The Colonel left the room, bound for the telegraph-office, + just before a shrill scream came from the corridor, without, + startling Layson greatly.</p> + + <p>"Oh, dellaw!" the frightened voice said. "Le' me out! Le' me + out!"</p> + + <p>He recognized the voice, at once, as belonging to the girl + whom he had been discussing with the Colonel, and it was so + full of terror that he rushed quickly to the door, prepared to + rescue her from some dire peril.</p> + + <p>"What can be the matter?" he thought, frightened.</p> + + <p>At the door he met Madge, white of face and startled, coming + in.</p> + + <p>"Why, Madge! What is it?"</p> + + <p>She leaned against the writing-table, gasping. It was plain + enough that she had been greatly frightened.</p> + + <p>"Wait till I git my breath," she said; and then: "They got + us into a little room, and, all of a sudden, we started + skallyhootin' fer th' roof—room an' all!"</p> + + <p>Frank fell back, relieved, and trying not to show + amusement.</p> + + <p>"That was the elevator," he explained. "A machine to carry + you upstairs and save you the work of climbing."</p> + + <p>"Dellaw!" exclaimed the girl, not yet entirely calm. "As if + I couldn't walk! Thought we was blowed up by another dynamighty + bomb!"</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea entered hurriedly, looking about the room, in + evident distress. At sight of Madge she gave a great sigh of + relief. "My dear, I'm so sorry you were frightened!"</p> + + <p>The girl laughed nervously, pulling herself together. "I + understand, now, Miss 'Lethe, and I'm as cool as a + cucumber."</p> + + <p>There was a group of darkies at the door, and, suddenly, + they all began to grin. Miss 'Lethe knew the sign.</p> + + <p>"The Colonel's coming," she said positively. "Their faces + show it. Look at them?"</p> + + <p>Her guess proved a true prophecy. The Colonel, plainly busy + with absorbing thoughts, was striding along the uneven old + brick sidewalk, seeing nothing, hearing nothing, when the crowd + of darkies, sure of his good-nature, beneficiaries from past + favors, many times, surrounded him, beseeching him for tips + upon the coming races. Very different were these city darkies + from the respectful negroes of the Kentucky plantations of the + time. They swarmed about him in an insistent horde.</p> + + <p>"Who gwine win dat race, Marse Cunnel? Who gwine win dat + race?" they chorussed.</p> + + <p>He stopped and beamed at them good-naturedly.</p> + + <p>"Who's going to win?" said he. "Queen Bess, of course."</p> + + <p>He joined the group, inside, with a bundle in one hand and + an open telegram in the other. "Good morning, ladies. Miss + 'Lethe, you're looking fresh and blooming as you used to twenty + years ago." He tried to catch himself, but failed. "As fresh + and blooming," he corrected, "as usual, Miss 'Lethe." His bow + was very courtly and her own no less so.</p> + + <p>"Frank, my boy," said he, turning to the youthful owner of + Queen Bess, "I've got their answer, and it's all right."</p> + + <p>Frank had been acutely worried. There had been some question + of the sale of the mare to the Dyer Brothers before the fire; + now that this disaster had occurred and stories had been + started, as, of course, he knew they must have been, about + injuries to her, there might be, he had feared, good reason to + expect the celebrated horsemen to withdraw their proposition. + The Colonel's news, therefore, was very welcome.</p> + + <p>"They take the mare?" he asked, all eagerness."</p> + + <p>"N-o," began the Colonel, "but—"</p> + + <p>Frank's face fell, instantly, and his shoulders drooped + despairingly. "Then it's all wrong."</p> + + <p>"Not yet," said the Colonel, "score again." He raised the + telegram and read from it: "'Can't take mare without positive + proof that she's all right. Let her run in the Ashland Oaks, + to-day. If she wins, we take her.'" The Colonel looked up + beamingly. "Do you hear? They take her!"</p> + + <p>The condition which, now, the Dyer brothers made, when, + before this, they had made none, bothered Frank. The telegram + did not elate him quite as much as the old horseman had + supposed it would. "Ah, if she wins!" said he.</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea spoke up, eagerly. "Oh, Frank, of course she'll + win."</p> + + <p>"She's <i>got</i> to win!" exclaimed the Colonel with much + emphasis.</p> + + <p>Frank was in a pessimistic mood. "I'm not so sure," said he, + a little gloomily. The strain of the past days had been a hard + trial for the youth. "If that imp of a jockey, Ike, should get + in range of a whiskey bottle—however, he has promised not + to leave his room."</p> + + <p>The Colonel laughed. "Ike leave his room?" he said. "You're + right—he won't; but it will not be his promise that will + keep him from it. He couldn't leave it if he would."</p> + + <p>"Why not?" inquired Miss 'Lethe.</p> + + <p>"Because," the Colonel answered, "I have got his + clothes!"</p> + + <p>"His clothes!" said Frank, astonished.</p> + + <p>"Yes—a Napoleonic device. When I went to see him, this + morning, I found him in bed. I knew how it might be if he got + out, so I saw to it that his meals would reach him promptly, + and borrowed the one suit of clothes he brought with him, under + pretence of needing them to help me order a new jockey-suit for + him to wear in the great race. I've been fair about it, + too—I've got the new clothes for him." He pointed to the + bundle which he had just brought in. "They're in + there—and they'll not disgrace Queen Bess. They're the + best I could get."</p> + + <p>Frank, less interested in the clothes than in the fact that + the jockey, now, was quite secure against temptation, sighed + with satisfaction. "Then he's safe," said he.</p> + + <p>The Colonel nodded, notably well satisfied with his + performance. Miss Alathea, shocked, as she tried to be, by all + this business, adjunct of gambling, every bit of it, yet smiled + admiringly at the big horseman. Only Madge, learned, through + much experience with mountaineers, whose greatest curse is + whisky, in the ways of men addicted to its use, was not + convinced that all was surely well.</p> + + <p>"I'd keep a watch on him, just the same," she said. Now that + she understood the vast importance of this race to Layson her + whole heart was wrapped up in its fortunes. "When a man wants + whisky he gener'ly finds a way to git it."</p> + + <p>"You're right, Madge," Frank agreed. "I think I'll go and + look after him, now."</p> + + <p>He started toward the door just as a knock sounded on it. + When he opened it he found Horace Holton standing waiting for + admittance. The man seemed to be excited.</p> + + <p>"I don't want to intrude, sar," said the ex-merchant in + slaves, "but I come to tell you what you'd orter know. Th' news + of th' fire, last night, hev set ev'rybody wild. They're + lookin' to you, sar, to sw'ar out a warrant for Joe Lorey an' + set th' sheriff on his track."</p> + + <p>Frank came back into the room with the old man, worried by + the news which he had brought. He had been thinking of this + very matter and he was not at all convinced that he wished to + swear a warrant out for Lorey. Finally, after a few seconds of + silent and deep thought, he shook his head. "I want more proof, + first," he declared.</p> + + <p>Holton was astonished and ill-pleased. "What more proof d' + ye want?" he asked. "Ain't it as plain as day that he come down + from th' mountings to get even with you for th' raidin' of his + still? Who else would 'a' done it?"</p> + + <p>Madge was listening with flushed face and frowning brow. She + did not, for a second, think Joe Lorey was the culprit. Her + suspicions had not wholly crystalized, but she had known the + mountain-boy since she had known anyone, and she could not + believe that he would fire a building in which was confined a + dumb and helpless creature. She knew him to be quite as fond of + animals as she was. She believed Holton, also, had some + ulterior reason, which she did not fathom, then, for trying to + fasten suspicion on the lad. In her earnestness, as she + considered these things, she stepped close to the old man, + almost truculently. "That's what I mean to find out," she + declared. "Who else done it."</p> + + <p>Holton was angered by her manner and her opposition. He had + not expected to meet any difficulty in the execution of his + plan to throw the blame of the outrageous crime at Woodlawn, on + the shoulders of the mountaineer. "What have you got to do with + it?" he angrily demanded.</p> + + <p>She was not impressed by his quick show of temper. "Reckon + I've got as much to do with it as you hev," she replied. "Joe + Lorey wouldn't never plan to burn a helpless dumb critter. He + ain't no such coward."</p> + + <p>"Who else had a call to do it?" said the old man, placed, + unexpectedly, on the defensive. "Who else war an enemy of Mr. + Layson's?"</p> + + <p>Madge spoke slowly. She was not sure, at all, whom she was + accusing; her suspicions were indefinite, obscure, but they + were taking form within her mind. "Thar's one as I knows on," + she slowly answered. "It's th' one as told Joe Lorey that Mr. + Frank had set th' revenuers onto him." Her conviction + strengthened as she spoke, and, as she continued, she looked + Holton firmly in the eye and spoke with emphasis. "Show me th' + man as told that lie, an' I'll show you th' scoundrel as tried + to burn Queen Bess!"</p> + + <p>Layson liked the spirit of her warm defense of her old + friend, and, himself, knew enough about the moonshiner to make + it seem quite reasonable. He knew that Joe was a crude + creature, but believed, and had good reason to believe, that he + had his code of honor which he would abide by at all cost. It + was impossible for him to feel convinced that this would have + permitted him to set fire to the stable. "Madge, I believe + you're right," said he.</p> + + <p>Holton was nonplussed. Things were not going as he had + expected and had wished them to, at all. "Oh, shore, it war Joe + Lorey," he protested. "It couldn't 'a' been nobody else. I + warns you, here an' now, Layson, that ef you don't set th' law + after him he'll be lynched before to-morrer night."</p> + + <p>Layson was a little angered by the man's persistence. "I'll + see that that doesn't happen," he replied, "and I'll leave no + stone unturned to find the scoundrel who really did the deed, + and have him punished. But I'm not certain that the man will + prove to be Joe Lorey."</p> + + <p>Holton, angry, baffled and astonished, left the room, with a + maddening conviction growing in his mind that things were going + wrong and would continue to go wrong. He almost regretted, now, + that he had yielded to the impulse to set fire to the stable. + If Layson would not let him throw suspicion where he had + intended it should fall, then one part of his plan would have + failed utterly: he would not have put Joe Lorey, who, at + liberty, must ever be a peril to him, from his path; and, + furthermore, if they kept on with investigation, in the end + they might—they might—but he would not let himself + believe that, by any possibility, the real truth could come + out. He assured himself as he stepped out into the crowded + street that he was safe, whether or not the crime was ever + fastened on Joe Lorey.</p> + + <p>Layson, after Holton left, looked around upon the party with + a worried eye. "I can't take this matter up, yet," he declared. + "Until the race is over I can think of nothing else. Colonel, + I'll look after Ike, and then we'll be off to the track."</p> + + <p>"So we will, my boy," the Colonel answered, "so we will. Ah, + what a race it will be!" As Frank went out, the horseman rubbed + his hands with keen anticipations of delight.</p> + + <p>"Oh, Colonel," exclaimed Madge, brought back by this turn in + the conversation to contemplation of the most exciting prospect + which had ever been before her, "won't we have fun?"</p> + + <p>"Won't we?" said the Colonel, very happily.</p> + + <p>But then Miss Alathea spoke. She had listened to all the + talk about the fire, the incendiary, the pursuit, and its + dreadful possibilities of lynching, with the keenest of + distress. Now the Colonel's calm declaration that, presently, + they would be off to the race-track which he had sworn forever + to taboo, shifted her mind suddenly from those unpleasant + topics.</p> + + <p>"Colonel!" she exclaimed, in pained astonishment. "Do you + forget your promise?"</p> + + <p>"Er—er—" the old horseman began and became + speechless.</p> + + <p>Madge was all excitement. "Mr. Frank has told me all about + it," she said gaily. "I kin see it, now—th' grand-stand + filled with folks, th' jockeys ridin' in their bright colors, + th' horses a-champin' an' a-pullin' at their bits—an' + then—th' start!" The girl had dreamed about such scenes + before she had so much as guessed that she might ever witness + one, and now, when she was actually about to go out to the + track, herself, and with her own eyes gaze upon the greatest + race which old Kentucky had known for many a year, it seemed + too good to be true. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, her feet + danced as if they might be in the stirrups, her hands clutched + on imaginary reins. "All off together, a-goin' like th' + lightnin'!" she exclaimed. "Queen Bess a-lyin' back an' lettin' + th' others do th' runnin', Ike never touchin' her with whip nor + spur until th' last, an' then jest liftin' her in as if she had + wings!"</p> + + <p>"Stop! Stop!" cried the Colonel. "Not another word, or I'll + drop dead in my tracks!" Then, cautiously, to Madge: "I say, + little one, couldn't you let me have a word alone with Miss + 'Lethe?"</p> + + <p>The girl nodded wisely. "I understand," said she; and then, + with a quick glance at Miss Alathea, who was not attending, and + an earnest and imploring look at the poor Colonel: "Whatever + you do don't you forget that we are goin' to th' races!" She + left the room.</p> + + <p>Forget! The Colonel was not likely to forget about those + races! He was in deep misery of mind. "Miss 'Lethe?" he said + timidly.</p> + + <p>"Yes, Colonel," said the charming lady, turning toward + him.</p> + + <p>"Miss 'Lethe, have you the remotest idea of the agony I'm + suffering?"</p> + + <p>"Why, Colonel, what's the matter? Aren't you well?" Miss + 'Lethe's keen anxiety was instantaneous.</p> + + <p>"Yes—yes—I'm well—that is, I am now, but I + shouldn't wonder if I'd be dead before night. Miss 'Lethe, when + we made our little arrangement, yesterday, I didn't know that + the sale of the mare, your twenty-five thousand dollars, the + assessment on Frank's stock, everything was going to depend + upon this race. I tell you, if I don't see it, I'm liable to an + attack of heart-disease."</p> + + <p>"Ah, Colonel," said she, sadly, "I see where your heart + really is!"</p> + + <p>"With you, Miss 'Lethe, always with you," he urgently + assured her; but there was pleading in his eyes which really + was pitiful.</p> + + <p>"Remember your solemn promise."</p> + + <p>"But one little race," he begged. "That wouldn't count, + would it? And then swear off forever."</p> + + <p>"No, Colonel; no," she firmly answered, "for if you yield, + this time, I'll know that in the race for your affections the + horse is first, the woman second."</p> + + <p>The Colonel sank dejectedly into a chair. "I can't permit + you to think that," said he. "I'll—keep my promise."</p> + + <p>She went to him, delighted. "Ah, I was sure you would," said + she. "Now I can go and finish my shopping in peace. It's all + for your good, Colonel—for your good." With a happy smile + she left him there, alone.</p> + + <p>"For my good!" exclaimed the Colonel, ruefully. "That's what + the teacher used to say, but the hickory smarted, just the + same. Of course Miss 'Lethe is + first—but—but—the horse is a strong + second!"</p> + + <p>To add to the man's agony, Madge, now, returned, dressed and + ready for the most exciting moments of her life. "I'm all + ready, Colonel," she said eagerly. "Think we'll have good + seats? I do hope I'll be whar I kin see!"</p> + + <p>He would not, yet, disappoint the child; he would not, + yet,—he could not—admit that he, himself, was to + meet with such a bitter disappointment. "You'll see, all + right," he told her, "and so will I." But, after a second's + thought he added: "I will if I can hire a balloon!"</p> + + <p>They heard Neb's excited voice out in the corridor, and, an + instant later, the old darkey hurried in. Immediately the + Colonel knew, from his appearance, that something had gone + seriously wrong.</p> + + <p>"What is it, Neb; what is it?" he demanded.</p> + + <p>"Fo' de Lawd, sech news!" said Neb. "Sech news!"</p> + + <p>"Neb, Neb, what's the matter?" Madge asked, frightened by + his manner.</p> + + <p>"Somebody," said the negro, "done gone smuggle in a bottle + o' whiskey to dat mis'able jockey, Ike, an' he am crazy + drunk!"</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_XVI"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2><br> + + + <p>"Drunk!" cried the Colonel, shocked inexpressibly. "And the + race this afternoon!"</p> + + <p>"Marse Frank said you was to come, suh, an' help sobuh + him."</p> + + <p>Madge approached the Colonel anxiously. "Yes; sober him, if + you have to turn him inside out!"</p> + + <p>"'Fraid he's done on bofe sides, missy; drunk cl'ar + t'rough," said Neb.</p> + + <p>The Colonel grasped his hat. "We'll try, we'll try," he + said. "Oh, whisky, whisky! What a pity anyone can get too much + of so good a thing!"</p> + + <p>"I neber could, suh," Neb replied, "but dat 'ar + jockey—"</p> + + <p>They hurried out together.</p> + + <p>Madge was in intense distress. She knew what this might + mean. If Queen Bess could not run—and she could not, + certainly, without a jockey—the Dyer Brothers would not + buy her, probably; and if she were not sold in time, then + Layson would be quite unable to meet the assessment on his + stock in the coal-mining company. She was by no means certain + what this was, or what the reason for it, but she had heard + talk of it and knew that it was very serious. Almost beside + herself with her anxiety, she could do nothing save sit there + and wait for news. The entrance, even of Barbara Holton, who + came in, now, was a relief to her overtaxed nerves.</p> + + <p>"Say," said she, admitting Barbara nearer to good-fellowship + than she had ever done before, "I reckon you have heered the + news—Ike's drunk—dead drunk!"</p> + + <p>Barbara regarded her excitement with a careful calm. She, + herself, had been excited by the news when it had reached her, + but a moment since, but she would not let this girl know that. + Her rôle was to endeavor to force the mountain girl back + into what she thought her place, at any cost.</p> + + <p>"Yes, I've heard," said she, "and it's too late to get + another jockey, so Queen Bess can't run."</p> + + <p>She had formed a plan, deep in her mind, and had sought the + mountain-girl with the skilful scheme.</p> + + <p>"Then Mr. Frank is goin' to be ruined!" Madge exclaimed, + dejectedly.</p> + + <p>"Not unless you wish it," Barbara replied, looking straight + into her eyes.</p> + + <p>"Dellaw! Me wish that? Just you tell me what you mean!"</p> + + <p>The bluegrass girl stood looking at the mountain maiden with + appraising eye for a few seconds. Then she crossed the room and + stood close by her side, while she tapped upon the table + nervously with her carefully gloved fingers.</p> + + <p>"If this sale fails, as it seems it must," she said, slowly, + "it rests with you whether my father will advance the money to + pay the assessment on that stock of Mr. Layson's."</p> + + <p>"Your father give him the money?" Madge said in + astonishment. "Well, I'd never thought o' that! But what have I + got to do about it?"</p> + + <p>The situation was a hard one, even for the self-possession + of the lowlands girl, who had inherited her father's coolness + in emergency as well as some other traits less desirable. Her + color rose and she tried, earnestly, to gather words which + would express the thought she had in mind without including a + confession of the weakness of her own position. This she could + not, do, however. She walked over to the window, gazed from it, + for a moment, at the passing crowds, and then returned to + Madge, to tell her bluntly: "I want you to go away from + here."</p> + + <p>"Me go away? What for?"</p> + + <p>It was impossible, Barbara now discovered, to make her + meaning wholly clear, without some measure of humiliation. The + first thing that was, obviously, necessary was a statement of + facts as they were, and this must include confession of her own + sore weakness. She hesitated, trying to avoid it, but when she + quite decided that it could not be helped, plunged on with a + perfect frankness. What she wished was immediately to gain her + point. If she must eat a bit of humble pie in order to + accomplish this, why, she would eat it, much as she disliked + the diet.</p> + + <p>"Can't you see that it is you who stand between Frank and + me?" she cried. "If it hadn't been for you, I should have been + his promised wife! If you will go away and never see him again, + I can win him back."</p> + + <p>Madge was dumbfounded. The cold and utter selfishness of the + girl's proposal was astounding. She looked at Barbara with eyes + in which incredulous amazement gave way, slowly, to an + expression of chill wonder. "Say, you don't seem to squander + many thoughts on other people! S'posin' I happen to love him a + little, myself!"</p> + + <p>Barbara laughed scornfully. Sprung from low stock, herself, + but reared in luxury, she had the most complete contempt for + anyone whom circumstances had denied advantages such as she had + known. "You—<i>you</i> love him!" she exclaimed.</p> + + <p>The words had slipped from Madge's lips without forethought, + and, instantly, she very much regretted them; but, now that she + had uttered them she did not so much as think of trying to + recall them or deny their truth. "Yes, and I ain't ashamed of + it," said she. "I <i>do</i> love him—a thousand times + better nor you ever dreamed of."</p> + + <p>"What good will it do you?" asked her rival, coldly. "You + don't suppose he'll ever think of making you his wife! Why, + look at the difference between you and me!"</p> + + <p>"Yes," said Madge, sarcastically, "there <i>is</i> a + powerful sight of differ! You'd be willin' to ruin' him to win + him, while I'd be willin' to gin up my happiness to save + him!"</p> + + <p>Barbara, more in earnest than she ever had been in her life + before, took a quick step toward the mountain girl. "Then prove + it by going away," said she, "and I will see that my father + advances Frank Layson the money he needs." She looked at her + eagerly. "Do you promise?"</p> + + <p>"No," said Madge, with firm decision. "No; I won't."</p> + + <p>"Then it is you who will ruin him."</p> + + <p>While they had been talking an idea had sprung to sudden + flower in Madge's mind. It was a daring, an unheard of plan + that had occurred to her. There were details of it which filled + her with shrinking. She knew that if she put it into practice, + and it ever became generally known, she would be the talk of + Lexington and that not all that talk would be complimentary. + She knew that, after she had carried out the plan, even the man + for whom she thought of doing it might look at her with scorn. + But it was the only plan which her alert and anxious brain + could find which promised anything at all. And if it won, + perhaps—perhaps—he might not scorn her! At any rate + it was a sacrifice, and sacrifice for him was an attractive + thought to her.</p> + + <p>"Me ruin him?" she said to Barbara. "Don't you be too sure! + There is a shorter and a better way nor yours, to save him, an' + I'm goin' to try it!"</p> + + <p>The bluegrass girl, astonished, would have questioned her, + but Madge waited for no questioning. Without another word she + hurried from the room, in a mad search for Colonel + Doolittle.</p> + <center><hr style='width: 45%;'></center> + + <p>From the country round about for miles the planters had come + into Lexington upon their blooded mounts, their wives, + daughters, sweethearts, riding in great carriages. Now and then + a vehicle, coming from some far-away plantation, was drawn by a + gay four-in-hand, and the drivers of such equipages, negroes + always, showed a haughty scorn of their black fellow-men who + travelled humbly on the backs of mules, or trudged the long and + dusty way on foot. Gorgeous were the costumes of the ladies + whom the carriages conveyed; elegant the dress of the gay + gentlemen who rode beside the vehicles on prancing steeds, + gallant escorts of Kentucky's lovely womanhood, prepared, + especially, to watch the carriage-horses when the town was + reached and guard against disasters due to their encounter with + such disturbing and unusual things as crowds, brass-bands and + other marvels of a great occasion.</p> + + <p>Everywhere upon the sidewalks people swarmed like ants, + delighted with the calm perfection of the day, the magnetism of + the crowds, the blare of martial music, the novelty of passing + strangers, and, above all, by the prospect of the great race + which, for weeks, had been the theme of conversation everywhere + throughout the section.</p> + + <p>In the spacious corridors and big bar-rooms of the city's + hostelries the rich men of the section vied with flashily + dressed strangers, in magnitude of wagers, and the gambling + fever spread from these important centers to the very alleys of + the negro quarters. Poor indeed was the old darkey who could + not find two-bits to wager on the race; small, indeed, the + piccaninny who was not wise enough in the sophisticated ways of + games of chance to lay a copper with a comrade or to join a + pool by means of which he and his fellows were enabled to + participate in more important methods of wooing fickle + Fortune.</p> + + <p>Here and there and everywhere were the piccaninnies from + Woodlawn, the Layson place, crying the virtues of the mare they + worshipped and her owner whom they each and everyone adored, + boasting of the wagers they had made, strutting in the + consciousness that ere the moment for the great race came "Unc" + Neb would gather them together to add zest to the occasion with + their brazen instruments and singing. The "Whangdoodles" were + the envy of every colored lad in town who was not of their high + elect, and created, about noon, a great diversion upon one of + the main streets, by gathering, when they were quite certain + that their leader could by no means get at them, and singing on + a corner for more coppers to be wagered on Queen Bess. The + shower of coin which soon rewarded their smooth, well-trained + harmonies, burned holes in their pockets, too, until it was + invested in the only things which, on this day, the lads + thought worth the purchasing—tickets on the race in which + the wondrous mare would run.</p> + + <p>Through the gay crowd old Neb was wandering, disconsolate, + burdened with the melancholy news of the defection of the + miserable jockey, looking, everywhere, for Miss Alathea Layson, + but without success. He stopped upon a corner, weary of the + search and of the woe which weighed him down.</p> + + <p>"Marse Frank," he muttered, "say I war to tell Miss 'Lethe + de bad news; but he didn't tell me how to find a lady out + shoppin'. Needle in a haystack ain't nawthin'! Reckon 'bout de + bes' dat I kin do is stand heah on dis cohnuh an' cotch huh + when she comes back to de hotel."</p> + + <p>He stood there for fully fifteen minutes, peering in an + utter desolation of woe, at every passing face, but finding + nowhere that one which he sought. Then, at a distance, he saw + the Colonel coming. The expression on the horseman's face + amazed him and filled him with an instant hope that something + had turned up to rob the situation of the horror which had + darkened it, for him, ever since he had discovered that the + jockey had disgraced himself.</p> + + <p>"Dar come Marse Cunnel," he exclaimed, in his astonishment, + "<i>a-lookin' mighty happy</i>! Dat ain't right, now; dat ain't + right, unduh de succumstances."</p> + + <p>He hurried to the Colonel, who, instead of seeming + sorrowful, discouraged, wroth, beamed at him with a genial + eye.</p> + + <p>"What's the matter, Neb?" he asked. "You look like a + funeral!"</p> + + <p>"Dat's de way I feel, suh; wid no jockey fo' Queen Bess an' + Marse Frank good as ruined."</p> + + <p>"Neb," said the Colonel, coolly, "you don't mean to be a + liar, but you are one."</p> + + <p>"What?" cried the darkey in delight. "Oh Marse Cunnel, call + me anyt'ing ef tain't so about de mare!"</p> + + <p>"Of course it isn't," said the Colonel happily. "I have + found a jockey, Neb; a jockey."</p> + + <p>"Praise de Lawd!" cried the old negro.</p> + + <p>"One of the best," the Colonel went on, gaily. "Just come in + from the—from the east. I engaged him at once, so you get + word to Frank. In five minutes we'll be on our way out to the + track."</p> + + <p>Neb's spirits had instantly revived. Six inches droop was + gone from his old shoulders. "It'll be de grandest race eber + run in ol' Kentucky! Lawsy, Cunnel, won't it tickle you to + death to see Queen Bess romp in a winnuh?"</p> + + <p>Instantly the Colonel's high elation faded. More than the + droop which had been in Neb's shoulders now oppressed the + horseman's. His face clouded. "There <i>he</i> goes, too!" he + cried. "Neb, another word like that and I shall brain you! Do + you hear me? I—I shan't be there!"</p> + + <p>"Not be dar!" Neb exclaimed. "Kain't swaller dat, suh. Ef + you should miss dat race, why, you'd drop daid."</p> + + <p>"I believe you, Neb—believe you. I say, Neb, look + here. I have promised on the honor of a Kentuckian, never to + enter another race-track. I must keep my word; but, for the + Lord's sake, isn't there a knot-hole, that you know of, + somewhere in the fence, which would let me see the race without + going inside?"</p> + + <p>Neb knew that race-track as he knew the plot of hard-trodden + ground before the little cabin where he had been born back of + the big house out at Woodlawn. Many a race had he seen + surreptitiously when he had not funds to buy admission to the + track. He grinned, remembering talk which he had heard between + the Colonel and Miss 'Lethe, and understanding, now. He + laughed. "Oh, I yi!" he cried. "Marse Cunnel, dar ain't + nobody'll git ahead of you! You bet dar is a knot-hole, not fur + off frum de gran'-stan', neither, an' a tree, too, you could + climb, stan's mighty handy."</p> + + <p>The Colonel groaned. "I climb a tree to peek above a + race-track fence!" said he. "No; never. They'd think I was + trying to save my admission fee! The knot-hole will have to do + for me, Neb. You've saved me. Heaven bless you! Have a + cigar—they're good."</p> + + <p>"T'ankee, suh," said Neb, reaching for the weed the Colonel + now held toward him. "Lawsy, ain't dat jus' a whoppuh? Whah + you-all git sech mon'sous big cigahs as dat?"</p> + + <p>"I'm only smoking half as many, now, so I get 'em double + size," the Colonel answered, sighing but not wholly + miserable.</p> + + <p>Neb did not see the humor of this detail. He was thinking of + the race and of Queen Bess. "Hooray fo' de Cunnel!" he + exclaimed, irrelevantly, to a little group of colored men who + had been gathering. "Whatever he says yo' kin gamble on. Lawsy, + ain't I glad I's got my money on Queen Bess? Golly, won't Marse + Holton jes' feel cheap when he done heahs dis news? Seen him + down dar in de pool-room, not so long ago, a-puttin' up his + money plumb against Queen Bess. Goin' to lose it, suah, he + will." He went off, muttering, and shaking his old head. + "Somehow I jes' feels it in mah bones dat he ain't true to + Marse Frank, yessuh. If I evah fin's it out fo' suah, I'll jes' + <i>paralyse</i> him!"</p> + + <p>He had quite forgotten that he had come out to find Miss + Alathea, and was not looking for her when he actually stumbled + into her.</p> + + <p>"Why, Neb, what are you doing?" she said, recoiling.</p> + + <p>"Pahdon, pahdon, please, Miss 'Lethe," said the negro. "I + was thinkin' of de sweet bimeby an' waitin' fo' to tell de news + to you—fust dat Ike got drunk an' Marse Frank war gwine + hab to scratch de mare—"</p> + + <p>"Oh, dear! Oh, dear! Then Frank—why, he'll lose + everything!"</p> + + <p>"Hol' on, Miss 'Lethe; dat de fust half, only. Secon' half + am dat Marse Cunnel found a jockey an' Queen Bess am gwine ter + run."</p> + + <p>"Bless his heart!" she cried. "I wonder if it's wrong for me + to pray that that jockey will win." She looked, almost + embarrassed at the aged negro for a moment, and then, mustering + up courage, said: "Neb, look here. I'm ashamed to acknowledge + so much interest in a horse-race, but it seems as if I can't + wait to hear of the result."</p> + + <p>"Lawsy, I don't blame you, none; feel dat way mahse'f."</p> + + <p>"I must know the result the instant the race is + decided."</p> + + <p>"Send yo' wuhd right off, Miss 'Lethe."</p> + + <p>"Oh, I can't wait for that. Neb, I never did such a thing + before and never will again, and, even now, I won't enter a + race-track; but, Neb, isn't there some place outside the fence + where I could watch the race without actually going in?"</p> + + <p>Neb doubled up in silent laughter. The old negro was + enjoying life, exceedingly, on this, the day, which, for a + time, had seemed so full of gloom. The white folks were quite + at his mercy. "You bet dar is," said he, "a knot-hole not fur + f'm de gran'-stan', an' a tree what you could climb, right + handy."</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea was not favorable to the thought of climbing + trees, and said so. "No, no; the knot-hole will be far better + for me."</p> + + <p>"But, Miss 'Lethe, why, de Cunnel—"</p> + + <p>She did not let him make his explanation. "Sh! Sh!" she + hissed. "Not a word of this to him, or anyone! Will you show + me, when the time comes?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, I'll show you," Neb replied, and before he had a chance + to add a word she had hurried off into the crowd.</p> + + <p>"I war gwine to tell her dat de Cunnel'd be dar, too, but + she wouldn't wait to heah. Wal, I reckon she'll jes' fin' 'im + when she git dar."</p> + + <p>Down the street his piccaninny band came straggling, looking + for him.</p> + + <p>"Hol' on, chillun; hol' on," he cried, and joined them. "Now + yo' lissen. Yo' is not to make a squawk until the end of de + Ashlan' Oaks. Yo's to sabe yo' bref to honuh ouah Queen Bess. + If she wins, yo' staht in playin' 'Dixie' as yo' nevuh played + afo'. If she loses yo's to play, real slow an' mo'nful, + 'Massa's in de Col', Col', Groun'.'"</p> + + <p>In the meantime the Colonel, in a quiet spot, had joined the + jockey who had been discovered to take the place of drunken + Ike. The unknown rider was wrapped closely in an ulster, from + beneath which riding boots, unusually small, peeped, now and + then, as the feet within them moved somewhat nervously + about.</p> + + <p>"All right, are you?" he inquired.</p> + + <p>"I ain't afeared," the jockey answered, "but I'm powerful + nervous. Never had on clo'es like these before, an'—don't + you look at me!"</p> + + <p>Strange talk, this was, for the jockey who was soon to ride + Queen Bess for the capture of the Ashland Oaks and the + salvation of the fortune of the house of Layson!</p> + + <p>"Don't look at you!" said the Colonel, in expostulation, + and, in the next sentence, revealed a secret which he was + guarding carefully from everyone. "See here, little girl, + you've got to face thousands and not wince, and you can't ride + in that overcoat, either."</p> + + <p>But the jockey wrapped the coat still tighter. "Oh, sho! + That can't make no differ—just a little coat!"</p> + + <p>"I tell you it's impossible. It would give the game away at + once. Come, take it off. Practice up on me."</p> + + <p>The jockey shivered nervously. "Reckon I will hev to. Say, + turn your back till I am ready."</p> + + <p>The Colonel turned his back, somewhat impatiently. The time + was getting short. "All right, but hurry up."</p> + + <p>The jockey pulled the long coat partly off, then, in a + panic, shrugged it on again. "Oh, now, you're lookin'!"</p> + + <p>"Not a wink," declared the Colonel.</p> + + <p>"Wal, here goes!" This time the coat came wholly off and the + jockey who had been discovered to take the place of drunken Ike + stood quite revealed. The voice which warned the Colonel of + this was a faint and faltering one. "Now," it said timidly.</p> + + <p>The Colonel turned. "Hurrah!"</p> + + <p>The jockey held the coat up in a panic.</p> + + <p>"See here, now—none o' that!" the Colonel warned. + "Give it to me." He reached his hand out for the coat, and, + reluctantly, the jockey let him take it.</p> + + <p>There stood the trimmest and most graceful figure ever + garbed in racing blouse, knickers, boots and cap, with flushed + face, dilating, frightened eyes and hands not a little + tremulous. The girl who had told Barbara Holton that she would + not hesitate to make a sacrifice to save the man she loved was + making one—a very great one—the sacrifice of what, + her whole life long, she had considered fitting woman's + modesty. Queen Bess must win and there was no one else to ride + her. The mountain-girl shrank from the thought of going, thus, + before a multitude, as shyly as would the most highly educated + and most socially precise girl in the grand-stand, near, which, + now, was filling with the gallantry and beauty of Kentucky; but + she did not let her nervous tremors conquer her. There was no + other way to save the day for Layson, and, somehow, the day + must certainly be saved.</p> + + <p>The Colonel, now, spoke very seriously as she stood there, + shrinking from his gaze. There was not a smile upon his face. + It was plain that he regarded the whole matter with the utmost + gravity.</p> + + <p>"Now, little one, you begin to realize what this means," + said he. "Or—no, you don't and I've got to be square with + you if it spoils the prettiest horse-race ever seen in old + Kentucky. I tell you, my dear child, we're mighty particular + about our women, down here in the bluegrass. We'd think it an + eternal shame and a disgrace forever for one of them to ride a + public race in a costume like the one that you have on, and it + would mean not less than social ruin to the man that married + her. If anyone should find it out, what you are going to do + might stand between you and your happiness. I'm warning you + because I know I ought to. Think it over and then tell me if + you're willing to face it—willing to take all the + risks."</p> + + <p>"I don't need to think it over," Madge said firmly. "I said + as I'd gin up my happiness to save him, an' I will. Colonel, + I've got on my uniform, I've enlisted for th' war, an' I am + goin' to fight it through!"</p> + + <p>"A thoroughbred!" he cried. "A thoroughbred, and I always + said it of you. Come on, little one."</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_XVII"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2><br> + + + <p>Brilliant as a garden of flowers was the grand-stand where + the fairest of old Kentucky's wondrous women were as numerous + as were her gallant men; full of handsome figures were the + lawns, where old Kentucky's youth and manhood strolled and + smoked and gossipped of the day's great race to come; like an + ebon sea in storm was the great crowd of blacks which in + certain well-defined limits crowded to the rail about the + track. The blare of the band kept the air a-tremble almost + constantly, the confused, uneven murmur of a great crowd filled + the pauses between brazen outbursts. Everywhere was life and + gayety, intense excitement, as the moment for the starting of + the famous Ashland Oaks approached. The cries of the + book-makers rose, strident, from the betting-ring; on the + tracks the jockeys, exercising or trying out their mounts, + were, each after his own kind, preparing for the struggle of + their lives; stable-boys, and the hundred other species of + race-track hangers-on which swarm at such times to the front, + were everywhere in evidence; touts with shifty eyes slipped, + here and there, among the sightseers, looking for some + credulous one who might be willing to pay well for doubtful + information. Every minute amidst the throng the words "Queen + Bess" might be heard at any chosen point, as the crowd + gossipped eagerly about the horse which had been looked on as + the favorite, but which, many positively now declared, had been + so injured in the fire that she would run but poorly in the + race which, it had been thought, would be the most sensational + effort of her life.</p> + + <p>Frank, nervous and excited, stood in the paddock, watch in + hand, with old Neb by his side.</p> + + <p>"Why doesn't that jockey come?" he asked, for the hundredth + time, almost beside himself with worry as the moments slipped + away.</p> + + <p>"He'll come, Marse Frank," said Neb. "You kin gamble on de + Cunnel."</p> + + <p>"If I only knew what kind of a jockey he is!" Then, as + Horace Holton came up, smiling greetings: "Holton, how's the + betting?"</p> + + <p>"Can't you hear?" said Holton, as a vagrant breeze brought + to their ears bits of the vocal tumult from the + betting-ring.</p> + + <p>"Ten to nine against Queen Bess," Frank heard a voice call + loudly, although the crowd's great murmur made the words come + indistinctly to his ears. "Even on Catalpa," was the next + penetrating cry, and then: "Two to one, Evangeline!"</p> + + <p>The young owner shuddered. Could it be possible that Neb was + right and that the Colonel's jockey would appear on time, or + were the dire predictions of defeat which, he knew, were being + made everywhere around him, true prophecies? Tales of all but + fatal injuries to the handsome mare had been freely circulated, + and, despite denials in the newspapers, were still alive, and + these he knew to be quite false; but he knew of the other dire + disaster—the defection of his jockey—of which the + crowd was also well aware. He had not the slightest doubt that + if Queen Bess should run at all she would do all that her best + friends expected of her and more; but it seemed to him a + possibility that he would find it necessary, at the last + minute, to withdraw her from the race entirely, for sheer lack + of a rider.</p> + + <p>Again the breeze brought from the betting-ring the loud + shouts of the book-makers. The message that they told was most + depressing to the worried owner.</p> + + <p>"Why, this morning she was the favorite," he said, "and now + the odds are all against her!"</p> + + <p>Holton nodded. "On the strength o' this jockey as nobody + knows. Got any money on, yourself, Layson?"</p> + + <p>"Not a cent. I've enough at stake, already."</p> + + <p>Holton smiled unpleasantly, intimating that Frank's lack of + betting on his horse was proof positive that the worst tales + told were true. "That settles it. The bookies are right. Th' + mare's no chance with a new jockey, an' you know it."</p> + + <p>"If I were betting," said Frank angrily, "I'd back her with + every dollar that I have on earth."</p> + + <p>Holton smiled at him unpleasantly. "I say she can't win and + you know it." He waited for some answer from the anxious owner, + but received none. Then, taking out his check-book: "See + here—I'll bet you five-thousand even against her!"</p> + + <p>Frank, annoyed but helpless, shook his head. "I haven't the + money," he admitted.</p> + + <p>"You ain't got the sand!" said Holton, aggravatingly.</p> + + <p>Frank turned from him angrily, and old Neb, who had + listened, stepped quickly up to him. "Marse Frank," he pleaded, + "don' yo' let dat white-trash bluff yo'!" The old darkey's + voice was tremulous, his eyes were moist with feeling for his + humiliated master. A great resolve thrilled through him. "See + heah, honey, I's be'n sabin' all mah life. I's got a pile o' + money in de bank. Take it all, now, honey, an' bet it on Queen + Bess."</p> + + <p>Frank shook his head, but smiled at the old darkey, touched + alike by his devotion to himself and confidence in the mare + they both loved. "No, no, Neb; not your money," he replied. He + stood in deep thought, for a moment, tapping the ground + nervously with worried foot. "But I'll back the mare for all + <i>I'm</i> worth!" he finally declared. "If she loses, I'm a + ruined man, anyway." He turned, now, to Holton. "Holton," he + said, "I've got just three thousand dollars in the bank. I'll + put it all on Queen Bess against your five-thousand."</p> + + <p>It seemed, almost, as if Holton had been waiting for this + offer, for his smile broadened as he found that he had goaded + Layson into making it. "I'll take it," he said quickly, and + then, turning to the crowd about them, among which were some of + the state's best citizens, he added: "Gentlemen, you're + witnesses. Three-thousand against five-thousand on Queen + Bess."</p> + + <p>They nodded, and not one of them but looked at Layson with + commiseration, as at a man foredoomed to bitter + disappointment.</p> + + <p>Neb, however, grinned at Holton impishly. "Yes; you'll look + mighty sick when yo' hab to pay it, too."</p> + + <p>From the judge's stand rang out the silvery notes of a + quavering bugle-call, and Holton smiled unpleasantly.</p> + + <p>"The call to th' post," said he, "an' whar's your + jockey?"</p> + + <p>"He'll be here on time," said Frank, voicing a confidence + which it was hard for him to feel. He turned, then, to the + darkey. "Neb, bring out Queen Bess."</p> + + <p>The excitement, all around them, was intensifying, every + minute. Jockeys, now, were mounting their horses, and riding + off for the short canter to the judges' stand. As each appeared + in view of the great crowd in and about the grand-stand a + mighty shout arose.</p> + + <p>Holton's smile was broadening. "If that jockey doesn't show + up mighty quick," he sneered, "you're out of the race."</p> + + <p>Just as he spoke old Neb returned, with the superb mare + behind him, saddled, bridled, ready for the race, fretting at + her bit, impatient of the crowds and noise.</p> + + <p>"Who knows whether he's coming, at all?" said Holton, a bit + dashed at sight of the fine mare's superb condition, but still + sneering. "Nobody's seen him."</p> + + <p>Neb looked off toward the weighing-room. "Yo' 're wrong," he + shouted, capering with amazing spryness for one whose limbs + were old and stiff, "fo' heah he comes!"</p> + + <p>Every member of the party turned, in haste, to look in the + direction whence Neb pointed.</p> + + <p>They saw a slight, graceful figure, dressed in the brilliant + colors of the Layson stable, which, without so much as glancing + at them, ran to Queen Bess and took a place upon the far side + of the mare, where, stooping as if to look carefully to the + saddle-girths, its face was quickly hidden. But, even as the + jockey stooped, one of his hands held out to Frank, across the + saddle, a little folded paper.</p> + + <p>Without paying much attention to the jockey, Layson took + this note and hastily unfolded it. "It's from the Colonel," he + announced. "I knew he'd never fail me."</p> + + <p>Then he read, aloud, so all might hear:</p> + + <p>"This will be handed to you by a jockey I have just engaged. + He comes from the east and is highly recommended. I know his + endorser. Regretting that the promise of a Kentuckian prevents + me from being with you, I am yours regretfully, on the outside, + SANDUSKY DOOLITTLE."</p> + + <p>"It's all right!" Frank shouted, gleefully, and then, to the + strange jockey: "Quick, on the mare and off to the post!"</p> + + <p>Without a word, without a second's pause, Madge, for the + unknown jockey was, of course, the little mountain girl, jumped + upon Queen Bess and hastily rode off, to be greeted, with a + mighty outburst of cheering and applause as the favorite + appeared before the waiting crowds in unmistakably fine + condition and mounted by a rider whose every movement showed a + perfect knowledge of the work and complete sympathy with the + beautiful animal he rode.</p> + <center><hr style="width: 45%;"></center> + + <p>Doomed by his promise on the honor of a gentleman to Miss + Alathea, to witnessing the race from the outside, if he + witnessed it at all, Colonel Sandusky Doolittle, fully aware of + the unusual interest of the moments, some account of which has + just been made, was sunk in melancholy after he had sent Madge + through the magic portals, with explicit instructions as to + exactly what to do when once she was safe inside. He was + breathing hard from the mere exertion of preventing his unruly + feet from running to the gate, of keeping his unruly hand from + diving deep into his pocket for the entrance fee. These + preventions he accomplished, though, without once really + weakening, and was safe at a good distance from the tempting + gate when the crowd within began to shout as the horses were + brought out.</p> + + <p>"There, they're bringing out the horses!" he exclaimed, + unhappily. He set his jaws as might one who, with a great + effort, abstains from food when famishing. "I didn't go in!" he + muttered. "I've kept my word, though it has nearly finished + me!"</p> + + <p>Anxiously, if hurriedly, he searched along the fence for the + knot-hole Neb had told him of. Twice, in his great eagerness, + he passed it by, but, on the third inspection he discovered it, + and placed his eye to it. In a moment he backed away, + dejectedly. "I can't see worth a cent!" he bitterly complained. + "It's not hole enough for me!" Lost, in his disappointment, + even to shame for the wretched pun, he straightened up, + surveying his immediate surroundings.</p> + + <p>Close by was the tree which Neb had also spoken of. He + examined it with an appraising eye, then looked about to see + what spectators were near. No one was in sight save a pair of + piccaninnies, down the fence a hundred yards or so, with eyes + glued to other knot-holes or to cracks.</p> + + <p>"To the deuce with dignity!" he cried. "I'll just inspect + that tree."</p> + + <p>He was doing this with care, when, breathless and eager, a + lady hurried toward him. As the tree intervened between them he + did not see her coming, nor did she note his presence. It would + have been quite plain to anyone who had observed her that she + was engaged upon a quest much like that which he had pursued, + for she carefully inspected each plank in the high fence, as, + slowly and cautiously lest she should pass unheeded that which + she was seeking eagerly, she made her way in his direction.</p> + + <p>"Everybody's at the races," she thought, comforting herself. + "I'm perfectly safe. No one in the world will see me.... But + where <i>is</i> that blessed knot-hole?"</p> + + <p>Suddenly her eye chanced on it, and, an instant later, was + applied to it, the while the Colonel paused, with his back to + her, still anxiously inspecting the tree.</p> + + <p>"Ah!" said Miss Alathea, aloud, as she caught a glimpse of + something interesting inside the fence.</p> + + <p>Instantly the Colonel turned and looked down at her, + startled. Then: "A woman!" he exclaimed, beneath his breath. "A + woman at my knot-hole!"</p> + + <p>Firmly determined to maintain his right he sternly + approached her.</p> + + <p>"Madam!" he exclaimed, as incensed by her usurpation of the + knot-hole as he would have been, at ordinary times, by theft of + watch or pocket-book, and tapped her lightly on the + shoulder.</p> + + <p>She shrank back from the knot-hole, startled and indignant. + "Sir!" she cried, and then, as he recognized her, she turned + and saw who had addressed her.</p> + + <p>"Colonel Sandusky Doolittle!" she exclaimed, amazed.</p> + + <p>"Miss Alathea Layson!" cried the Colonel, equally amazed, at + first, but winding up his gesture of surprise with a low and + courtly bow.</p> + + <p>"Colonel, what are you doing here?"</p> + + <p>"Madame," he countered, "what are <i>you</i> doing + here?"</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea's dignity forsook her. "Colonel," she + confessed, "I couldn't wait to hear the result."</p> + + <p>"No more could I," he somewhat sheepishly admitted.</p> + + <p>"But I didn't enter the race-track," she explained in + haste.</p> + + <p>"I was equally firm."</p> + + <p>"And Neb told me of this knot-hole."</p> + + <p>"The rascal—he told me of it, too."</p> + + <p>"Colonel," she said, smiling, "we must forgive each other. + If you really must look, there is the knot-hole."</p> + + <p>"No, Miss 'Lethe," he said gallantly, "<i>I</i> resign the + knot-hole to you. I shall climb the tree." Without delay (for + sounds from the barrier's far side hinted to his practiced ear + that matters of much moment were progressing, there) he + scrambled with much more difficulty than dignity into the + spreading crotch.</p> + + <p>"Oh, be careful Colonel!" Miss Alathea cried, alarmed. + "Don't break your neck!" But she added, as an afterthought: + "But be sure to get where you can see."</p> + + <p>"Ah, what a gallant sight!" he cried as he found himself in + a position whence he could command a view of the exciting scene + within the barrier. "There's Catalpa ... and Evangeline ... and + ... yes, there is Queen Bess!"</p> + + <p>A burst of cheering rose from the crowd within.</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea was on tip-toe with excitement. "What's that?" + she begged.</p> + + <p>"A false start," he answered, scarcely even glancing down at + her. "They'll make it this time, though," he added, and she + could see his knuckles whiten with the strain as he gripped a + rough limb of the tree with vise-like fingers.</p> + + <p>A moment later and the shouting became a very tempest of + sound.</p> + + <p>"They're off!" he cried, staring through his field glasses + in an excitement which promised, if he did not curb it, to send + him tumbling from his shaky foothold. "Oh, what a splendid + start!"</p> + + <p>"Who's ahead?" inquired Miss Alathea, very much excited. + "Colonel, who's ahead?"</p> + + <p>"Catalpa sets the pace, the others lying well back."</p> + + <p>"Why doesn't Queen Bess come to the front?" Miss Alathea + cried, as if he were to blame for the disquieting news he had + reported to her. "Oh," she exclaimed, to the Colonel's great + astonishment, "if I were only on that mare!"</p> + + <p>"At the half," the Colonel shouted, beside himself with + worry, "Evangeline takes the lead ... Catalpa next ... the rest + are bunched."</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea, at the moment, was trying to see + satisfactorily, through the very knot-hole which the Colonel + had abandoned. She sprang from it hastily, however, and to the + foot of the tree which acted as his pedestal, when he + exclaimed:</p> + + <p>"Oh, great heavens! There's a fall ... a jam ... and Queen + Bess is left behind three lengths!" He leaned so far out that + he heard the limb beneath him crack, and, in hastening to a + firmer footing, almost lost his balance. This startled him, + and, for an instant, took his eager gaze away from the + struggling horses on the track within, but he quickly regained + poise. "She hasn't the ghost of a show!" he cried, + disheartened. "Look! Look!"</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea hugged the tree and looked, not at the horses, + for that was quite impossible, but up at him with wide, + imploring eyes.</p> + + <p>"She's at it again, though, now!" he cried. "It's beyond + anything mortal, but she's gaining ... gaining!"</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea's excitement now was every bit as great as his. + She had never seen a race in all her life, yet, now, she + performed there at the foot of the great tree, a series of + evolution not unlike those of many a "rooter" at the track + within. She jumped up and down upon her toe's, clenched her + hands and cried: "Oh, keep it up! Keep it up!"</p> + + <p>"At the three-quarters she's only five lengths behind the + leader and still gaming!" cried the Colonel, in excited + optimism.</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea could no longer endure the agony of waiting on + the ground for his reports. Instead she tried to scramble to + his side, but, failing, utterly, to accomplish this unaided, + held her hands up to him, crying: "Oh, pull, pull! I can't + stand it! I've just got to see!"</p> + + <p>The Colonel turned upon his perch and looked down at her, + smiling. "Coming up, Miss 'Lethe?" he inquired. "All right, + don't break your neck, but get where you can see." Hastily he + gave her such assistance as his absorbed attention to the + events within the fence permitted, and, with a wild scramble, + she found herself close by his side, holding half to him, half + to a curving branch.</p> + + <p>"Look! Look!" he cried, again. "In the stretch! Her head is + at Catalpa's crupper ... now at her saddle-bow ... but she + can't gain another inch. Still ... yes ... yes ... she lifts + her! See!... See!... Great God! She wins!"</p> + + <p>Within the fence wild pandemonium broke loose. The crowd + went mad with shouting. Hats, handkerchiefs, canes, umbrellas, + flew into the air as if blown upward by the mad explosion of + the crowd's enthusiasm. The band was playing "Dixie."</p> + + <p>Frank and Neb rushed forward to lift from the winner the + victorious jockey, who by such superb riding as that track had + never seen before, had snatched victory from defeat after the + mare had been delayed in the bad pocket which, from his distant + point of survey, had alarmed the Colonel. The jockey eluded + them, however and, with face averted, hurried with the splendid + mare back to the paddock, and there disappeared, disregarding + the crowd's wild shouts of acclamation.</p> + + <p>Holton stood near Frank, white-faced and angry. Old Neb, as + he ran beside Queen Bess, looked back at him and + grinned.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2><br> + + + <p>Miss Alathea, on the day after the great race, sat waiting + for the Colonel in the handsome old library of Woodlawn, + worrying about her unconventionalities of the preceding day. + When she heard his voice, out in the hall, telling Neb to carry + certain bundles into the library and knew, of course, that he + would follow after them almost immediately, her heart throbbed + fiercely in her bosom. She shrank back into a window recess, + too embarrassed to face him without first pausing to gather up + her courage.</p> + + <p>"Put 'em there, Neb," said the Colonel, pointing to the + table, and then, after the packages had been arranged to suit + him: "Here, take this, and drink to the jockey that rode Queen + Bess."</p> + + <p>"T'ankee, Marse Cunnel, t'ankee," Neb replied, pocketing the + tip. "Oh, warn't it gran'? An' yo' climbed de tree, arter + all!"</p> + + <p>"Sh! Clear out, you rascal!"</p> + + <p>Neb did not go at once, but, with the boldness of an old and + privileged retainer, stood there, chuckling. "Climbed de tree!" + he gurgled. "An' so did Miss 'Lethe!"</p> + + <p>With this he slapped his knee, and, laughing boisterously, + left the room as the embarrassed lady of the house stepped out + of her concealment.</p> + + <p>"Ah, Miss 'Lethe," said the Colonel, "good morning."</p> + + <p>"I expected you back from Lexington last night, Colonel." + She looked at him reproachfully.</p> + + <p>"Stayed over to celebrate, my dear," the Colonel answered. + "Stayed to celebrate the victory." With a beaming face he + advanced upon the lady, plainly planning an embrace.</p> + + <p>But she eluded him. "Wait a moment, Colonel. On what did you + celebrate?"</p> + + <p>The Colonel laughed. "Oh, I didn't forget. I celebrated on + ginger-ale and soda-pop."</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea smiled with happy satisfaction. She eluded him + no longer, but, herself, went to him and bestowed the kiss.</p> + + <p>"I doubt if my stomach ever recovers from the insult," said + the Colonel, delighted by the kiss but remembering the mildness + of the beverages which had marked his jubilation. "Miss 'Lethe, + a julep—a mint-julep—before I perish."</p> + + <p>With a smile she crossed the room to where, upon the + side-board (a side-board is an adjunct of all well-regulated + libraries in old Kentucky), a snowy damask cloth concealed + glorious somethings. With a graceful sweep she took it from + them and revealed three juleps in their glory of green-crowns. + "Look, Colonel!"</p> + + <p>"Three! Great heavens!" the Colonel cried, delighted. He + took one and disposed of it in haste.</p> + + <p>"I mixed them myself," Miss 'Lethe said.</p> + + <p>The Colonel drank another, but less rapidly.</p> + + <p>"Remember," she said, warningly, "three and no more!"</p> + + <p>"Yes, yes," he granted. "I must save the other one." It was + difficult to sip it, for Miss Alathea's juleps were like nectar + to his thirsty palate, but he restrained himself and drank of + this last ambrosial glass with great deliberation, trying to + make it last as long as possible.</p> + + <p>"What are all those bundles, Colonel?" asked Miss Alathea, + pointing to the packages which old Neb had brought in.</p> + + <p>"They're for Madge. She bought them yesterday." He sighed. + "Ah, will you ever forget yesterday?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, don't speak of it!"</p> + + <p>"Can't help it." The Colonel waxed enthusiastic at the mere + memory of the great occasion. "Whoopee!" he cried. "What a race + it was!"</p> + + <p>"To think," said Miss Alathea, "that + I—<i>I</i>—should enter a race-track!"</p> + + <p>"To think that <i>I</i>—should stay out of one!"</p> + + <p>"It was all your fault, Colonel," said Miss Alathea. "In + your excitement after the race you grasped my hand and I was + compelled to follow."</p> + + <p>"How strange!" exclaimed the Colonel, slowly, with a slight + smile tickling at the corners of his mouth. "At times I fancied + you were in the lead, I following."</p> + + <p>"Colonel," said the lady slowly, "perhaps I might as well + confess. I've made a discovery. The sin isn't so much in + looking at the horses run—it's in betting on them. That's + where souls are lost."</p> + + <p>"And likewise money," said the Colonel, nodding, + gravely.</p> + + <p>"So, Colonel, if you'll promise not to bet, I've no + objection to your attending the races in moderation."</p> + + <p>In delighted amazement the Colonel forgot that that last + julep could be brought to a quick end by hurried management and + took a hasty and a mammoth swallow. "What!" he cried. "Can I + believe it? Miss 'Lethe, you're an angel! It's the last drop in + my cup of happiness!"</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea shyly smiled—smiled, indeed, a bit + shame-facedly. "There's one condition, Colonel—that you + take me along—yes, to watch over you."</p> + + <p>"Take you with me?" said the Colonel. He paused in puzzled + contemplation of her for an instant. "Oh, I catch on. You'll go + with the children to see the animals!" He laughed. "You rather + like it." He became enthusiastic. "No more knot-holes or trees + for us! At last—two souls with but a single thought, two + hearts that beat when Queen Bess won! Here's to our future + happiness!"</p> + + <p>He raised the glass and would have drunk from it, but, now, + alas! the glass was empty. It surprised and grieved him, but, + when Miss Alathea held her hand out, quietly, for the vessel + which had held the final julep but which now held it no longer, + he yielded it up gracefully nor asked her to refill it.</p> + + <p>As Miss Alathea placed the empty glass upon the side-board + Madge entered from the hallway. She ran up to the Colonel. "I + heard you'd come," she said, "an' couldn't wait. Say, air it + all fixed about Queen Bess?"</p> + + <p>"Fixed?" cried the gallant horseman. "Well I should remark! + Queen Bess is sold and paid for and a draft for the assessment + forwarded to the Company. Inside of a year Frank will have the + income of a prince."</p> + + <p>"All," said Miss Alathea, "owing to that mysterious jockey + who disappeared immediately after the race. Oh, I'd like to + kiss that boy!"</p> + + <p>"If you did, I should not be jealous," said the Colonel with + an air of generosity.</p> + + <p>"Miss 'Lethe, kiss me. Won't I do as well?" Madge asked, + going to her.</p> + + <p>Miss Alathea kissed her, but was still thinking of the + unknown jockey, who, in the nick of time, had come from + nowhere, materialized from nothing, to save the day for Frank + by riding Queen Bess to victory. "I feel as if I must know his + name," she said. "Madge, help me persuade the Colonel to tell + us." She went to him and petted him. "Colonel, you will not + refuse me!"</p> + + <p>Madge looked at him apprehensively, warningly. "An' I reckon + you won't refuse me, Colonel." Then, going close to him, she + whispered: "Remember, mum's the word!"</p> + + <p>"Away, you tempters, away!" the Colonel cried, and waved + them from him. "It's a professional secret, and I've promised + to keep it on the honor of a Kentucky gentleman—just as I + promised you, Miss 'Lethe."</p> + + <p>"As you promised me? That's enough, Colonel—not + another word!"</p> + + <p>Madge nodded, smilingly. "That's right, Colonel. Mustn't + break your word." Just then she caught sight of the bundles + which the Colonel had had Neb bring in. "Oh, are them my + bundles, Colonel?"</p> + + <p>"Every one of them."</p> + + <p>The girl hurried to the mysteriously fascinating packages + and began investigation of their contents. "Thank ye, thank + ye!" she exclaimed, while she was busy with the wrappings. + "Awful good of you to bring 'em." Then, to Miss Alathea in + explanation: "Things I bought yesterday, Miss 'Lethe, all by + myself. Jus' went wild. Reckon I'll let you an' th' Colonel see + 'em." She took a large, dressed doll out of its wrappings. + "Look at that!"</p> + + <p>"What a beauty!" cried the Colonel.</p> + + <p>"Can talk, too." Madge pressed the wondrous puppet's shirred + silk chest. "Ma-ma," it cried. "Ma-ma."</p> + + <p>"Never had nothin' but a rag-doll, myself," the girl went + on, delighted by their approval of this automatic wonder. + "'Tain't for me. It's for a little girl as lives up in th' + mountings."</p> + + <p>From the doll she turned to an amazing jumping-jack, the + next treasure taken from the packages. She pulled the toy's + animating strings and watched its antics with delight. "Mos' as + lively as a Kentucky Colonel climbin' a tree," said she, and + laughed roguishly at the horseman. "Oh, I heard of it; I heard + of it."</p> + + <p>The Colonel tried in vain to protest, Madge's laughter kept + up merrily, as she took an old-fashioned carpet-sack from quite + the biggest of the bundles and began to pack her purchases in + it, until the Colonel and Miss Alathea left the room, gaily + protesting at her ridicule.</p> + + <p>Instantly all of the signs of high elation vanished from the + girl's face. She drooped. Left alone, it quickly became plain + that her recent animation had been forced, unreal. "Well I + guess I'd better not open up th' other bundles," she said + listlessly. "I'll pack 'em as they be. It's time I started too. + I'm goin' back to the mountings." Softly she hummed the air the + darkies had been singing when she came into the + room.</p><span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Weep no more, my + lady, oh, weep no more to-day,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 1em;">I will sing one song of my old + Kentucky home,</span><br> + <span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then my old Kentucky home, + good-night!"</span><br> + + + <p>There was infinite pathos in her half-unconscious rendition + of the plaintive, darkey melody. To the mountain girl the + moment was full of sadness. She had come down from her + mountains to save the man she loved from the assassin's bullet + and had saved him, not from that alone, but from a crushing + blow to hope and fortune. Her work was done. All that now was + left to her was to go back to her little cabin, hiding the + secret of her love for him in her sore heart, enshrining, + there, the memory of every minute she had ever passed with him + as holy memories to comfort her in days to come. Melancholy + thoughts pressed on her hard.</p> + + <p>Frank entered.</p> + + <p>He stopped short in the doorway, looking with amazement at + her work of packing for departure.</p> + + <p>"Why, Madge!" said he. "What does this mean? Packing up! + Surely you're not going away!" There was a thrill of real + distress in his pleasant, vibrant voice which comforted + her.</p> + + <p>"Yes, I'm going back to th' mountings. I was ... goin' + afore, but I couldn't miss that hoss-race."</p> + + <p>"Madge," he cried impulsively, "you must not and you shall + not go. I cannot bear to think of you wasting your life in the + lonely mountains. Madge, your land will make you rich, and with + your brightness you could study and learn. Education will make + you an ornament to any society."</p> + + <p>She shook her head. "As fur as I can see," said she, + "society ain't what it is cracked up to be. I don't seem to + have no hankerin' after it. Oh, o' course, I'd like to have all + this softness an' pootiness around me, always; I'd like to go + out in th' world an' see th' wonders as I've heard of; but I + don't think that 'u'd satisfy me. I'd still be hankerin' an' + thirstin' arter somethin' that I couldn't have. There's been a + feelin' in my heart, ever sence I come here, that'll take th' + air o' th' mountings to cl'ar away. Like enough, up there among + th' wild things that love me, amongst th' rocks an' hills, I'll + find th' rest an' peace I ain't had since I come away."</p> + + <p>The youth looked at her with wide, worried eyes. He had not + thought the situation out in any very careful detail; but he + had, at no time, contemplated her immediate departure. Now that + it seemed imminent it brought his feelings to a focus, showed + him, instantly, that he could not bear to have this mountain + maiden who had done so much for him thus vanish from his life. + A realization that he loved her deeply, tenderly, unchangeably + rushed over him. That she was a child of nature, uneducated and + unaccustomed to the world he knew became a matter of but small + importance to him as he stood there watching her, while, sadly + but deliberately, she kept on with her work of packing in the + carpet-bag her small possessions and the many gifts which she + had purchased in the city for the children of her "mountings." + That the world which he had ever thought his world might laugh + at her and ridicule him if he married her he knew, but, + suddenly, this seemed of little consequence. The errors in her + education could be readily corrected and her heart and + instincts were more nearly right, already, than those of any + lowland girl whom he had ever known.</p> + + <p>"Madge," he cried, "I cannot give you up! I love you!"</p> + + <p>The girl's hands stopped their busy work among the bundles. + Her cheeks paled and her lips parted to a gasping little intake + of breath. It had not, once, occurred to her modest, + self-sacrificing mind that, even as the bluegrass gentleman had + found her heart and taken it forever and forever to be his own, + no matter where she was or how great might the distance be + which separated them, so, also, had his heart really and + forever passed to her, the simple, unlettered and untrained + little maiden of the wilderness. It seemed impossible, + incredible.</p> + + <p>"You love me!"</p> + + <p>"Yes, I love you as I never have, as I never can love any + other woman. Madge, dearest, I want you for my wife!"</p> + + <p>The great desire, the certainty that if he did not win her + then all other triumphs would be empty, meaningless, had come + suddenly upon him, but it had come with overwhelming force. His + voice was vibrant with a passion which surprised himself.</p> + + <p>"No, no; it can never be!" she said tremulously. Her heart + was in a turmoil, her hands trembled with excitement. Ah, it + was hard for her to put away from her the brilliant vista which + had opened there before her startled eyes! But she was sure + that she must do it; that if she loved this man she must + forswear him for his own dear sake. What right had she, a + mountain-girl, to come down there to the bluegrass to shame him + in the face of friends and foes by her ignorance and + awkwardness? Her heart yearned toward him with a warmth and + fervor which she had not known as possible to human longings, + but—no, no, for his sake she must give him up, as, for + his sake, she had made the long, desperate journey from the + mountains to save him from Joe Lorey's bullet, as, for his + sake, shrinking and dismayed, conscious that in doing it she + might very well be sacrificing his respect for her, she had + donned the blouse and breeches of a jockey, yesterday, to ride + his mare to victory when none other had been there to save the + day for him. That had been a sacrifice almost beyond the power + of words to tell—a sacrifice of modesty; now came an even + greater one, but one which, none the less, must certainly be + made. "No, no," said she again, "it can never, never be!"</p> + + <p>"But I want you—just as you are! What do I care for + the world, without you, or for what it says, so long as you are + mine?"</p> + + <p>A flood of bitterness rushed to her heart. Ah, why, why, had + fate made it so necessary that, to save him, she must do what, + yesterday, she had been forced to do!</p> + + <p>"You're thinkin' of my ignorance, an' such," she said, with + sad eyes bent upon the gifts which, now, although she looked at + them, she did not see and had forgotten. "But there's more nor + that as stands between us, Mr. Frank."</p> + + <p>"You mean you don't love me?"</p> + + <p>"No, no; oh, what air th' use o' denyin' it? I love you! + It's that—it's that that drives me from you, an' that + breaks—my—heart!"</p> + + <p>He went close to her and tried to take her hands in his. + "Madge, dear," he said softly, "I want you to listen to me. I + tell you I shall not let any foolish pride or any fears for the + future stand in the way of our happiness. When I thought, a + moment ago, that I might lose you forever, I saw what my life + would be without you; and, now that I know you love me, nothing + shall come between us. Madge, dear heart, I want you to put + your hand in mine."</p> + + <p>She drew away, but it was plain that she was sorely tempted. + "Ah, if I only dared!" said she.</p> + + <p>"Come, Madge, darling!" he said fervently, opening his arms + to fold her to his heart.</p> + + <p>"No, no," she said, "it wouldn't be right." The Colonel's + words: "We'd think it an eternal shame and a disgrace for one + of our women to ride a race in a costume such as you have on," + rang in her mind and filled her with despair. "The Colonel + said—" she began, weakly.</p> + + <p>"Oh, damn the Colonel!" Frank cried angrily, wondering why + any one should meddle with his heart-affairs.</p> + + <p>And as he spoke the Colonel entered hurriedly, evidently + bearing news of import.</p> + + <p>Startled by the young man's earnest words, he stopped short + in astonishment. "Why—what's that, sir?" he exclaimed + amazed, and then, seeing clearly that he had broken in upon a + fervent sentimental situation and unwilling to believe that + Frank could really have meant him when he had been so emphatic, + turned his thoughts, again, to the news which had brought him + in such haste.</p> + + <p>"I say," he said, excitedly, "I've been cross-examining that + rascal, Ike, and I've found out who smuggled the whiskey to + him."</p> + + <p>"Who was it?" Madge and Frank cried almost in unison.</p> + + <p>"That double-distilled, three-ply scoundrel, Horace Holton," + said the Colonel, angrily.</p> + + <p>"Holton!" Frank exclaimed. "I wouldn't have believed + it!"</p> + + <p>"I would," Madge commented.</p> + + <p>"I'll find him and settle with him for it!" Frank angrily + exclaimed.</p> + + <p>"I'm afraid that's easier said than done," the Colonel + answered, "but I'm with you, and we'll do our best."</p> + + <p>Through the windows came the noise of baying hounds. It + instantly attracted their attention, as it ever will that of + Kentuckians. "What's that? A fox-hunt?"</p> + + <p>Frank had hurried to the window and was looking out. "No," + he answered, in incredulous amazement, "it's Holton and his + gang. They're hunting Joe Lorey with dogs!"</p> + + <p>Madge hurried to his side, distressed beyond the power of + words to tell. "Oh, oh!" she cried. "They're coming this way, + and—and—who's that?"</p> + + <p>As she spoke Joe Lorey dashed up, breathless to the + window.</p><br> + + <center><hr style="width: 65%;"></center> + <br> + <a name="CHAPTER_XIX"></a> + + <h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2><br> + + + <p>The moonshiner stood there, pathetic in his beaten strength + before them.</p> + + <p>"They're huntin' me with dogs!" he said. "They're goin' to + string me up without justice or mercy!"</p> + + <p>Madge hurried to his side. "Joe, they shan't do it!" she + exclaimed, and took his hand.</p> + + <p>"It'll take more nor you to save me, little one," he said, + and smiled down at her pitifully. "There's no hope for me, now. + That's why I've come hyar, to say to you all, afore I die, that + I am innocent o' firin' th' stable." He threw back his + shoulders and stood before them, impressive and convincing. + "Afore God, I am innocent!"</p> + + <p>Frank looked at him with eyes which, as they gazed, altered + their expression. He had thought the man quite possibly guilty + of a vicious act—a foul attempt to burn a helpless animal + in order to obtain revenge upon the man who owned her. But as + he gazed he could not doubt that he was speaking simple truth. + "Joe," he said impulsively, "I believe you!"</p> + + <p>Joe turned to him with gratitude plain upon his face. "You + believe me—arter all that's passed?" He looked straight + into the eyes of the young man he had hated, with a searching, + earnest gaze. "Then," he said, after a second's pause, "I + believe as what you said, that night, war true. It war never + you as ruined me." He held his hand out to the man whom, not so + long ago, he had wished, with all his heart, to kill.</p> + + <p>Frank grasped it with a hearty grip, just as the terrifying + baying of the hounds approached the house.</p> + + <p>"Frank, they're coming here!" the Colonel cried, + excited.</p> + + <p>Joe turned away from Frank, looking here and there like a + hunted animal. "Oh, it's hard to die afore I've met Lem + Lindsay!" he said hopelessly. It was quite plain that he + considered his fate sealed.</p> + + <p>Even as he spoke Holton and half-a-dozen others sprang to + the broad gallery which fronted the whole room. Holton was + plainly the leader of the party, for when he motioned all the + others back, they obeyed his signal without protest, while he, + himself, peered eagerly in through a wide, open window.</p> + + <p>Frank, angered beyond measure by this bold intrusion, would + have sprung toward him, to attack him, had not the Colonel + waved him back.</p> + + <p>"Frank, my boy," said he, "keep cool, keep cool!"</p> + + <p>As he spoke, without apology, Holton stepped through the + window into the room, itself.</p> + + <p>"Layson," he said curtly, "I'm a committee o' one to ask if + you'll turn over that man, an' make no trouble." He jerked a + thumb toward Joe.</p> + + <p>Layson was wrathful at the man's intrusion; he had been + impressed by what the fugitive had said. "No," he answered, + hotly. "Joe Lorey's in my house, under my protection, and, by + the eternal, you shan't lay a hand on him!"</p> + + <p>The Colonel smiled, delighted. "Kentucky blood!" he cried. + "I'll back you to a finish!"</p> + + <p>He ranged himself by Frank, and Madge, as belligerent as + either of them, hurried, also, to his side.</p> + + <p>"I'm with you, Colonel," she exclaimed, with the spirit of + the mountain-bred, "and we'll win ag'in, as we did once + before!"</p> + + <p>Joe saw this with distress. Layson's generosity had softened + him. He knew, perfectly, by this time, that Madge was not for + him, and her spirit in joining his defenders—the very men + whom he had thought his enemies—touched him deeply. The + realization came to him with a quick rush that he had wronged + the bluegrass folk whom he had hated with such bitterness. He + looked first at those who wished to take him prisoner and make + him suffer for a crime of which he was not guilty, and then at + his defenders, who had every reason to doubt him, but still, + without a question, had accepted his own plea of innocence. He + had already made these people trouble. Now was his opportunity + to save them from an awkward situation and, perhaps, a perilous + one. There might be shooting if he offered to resist or let + these good friends attempt to defend him. That would endanger + them, and, worse, endanger Madge. "I'll go. I don't want to + make no trouble," he said hastily.</p> + + <p>Holton nodded with approval. He wished to take the man as + quickly and as simply as he could. Every complication which + could be avoided would make less probable discovery of the fact + that he, himself, and not the fugitive young mountaineer, was + the real culprit.</p> + + <p>"That's sensible," he said, "for them men, out thar, are + bound to hev you, by fair means or foul."</p> + + <p>"Those men will listen to reason," Frank said with a + determination which disconcerted the ex-slave dealer. "They + shall hear me!" He stepped toward the open window. "Colonel, + come with me." Without waiting for him he stepped to the + gallery outside.</p> + + <p>The Colonel started to go also, but, seeing that Holton, + too, was about to hurry out, paused long enough to go up to him + threateningly. "Don't you dare to follow!" he warned him. + "We'll play this hand alone." The man fell back and the Colonel + kept his eyes on him as, slowly, he joined Frank on the + gallery.</p> + + <p>Holton's discomfiture lasted but a moment. As soon as the + Colonel had passed out of sight he got his wits back and looked + threateningly at Madge and the mountaineer. "We'll see about + that," he declared viciously, and, making a movement of his + hand which indicated that he must be armed, although he had not + shown a weapon, so far, moved toward another window which also + opened on the gallery.</p> + + <p>But he had not counted on old Neb. The darkey found in this + emergency the opportunity for which he had been waiting many + years. Lapse of time had never dulled his keen resentment of + the blow the man had struck him; now it was with keen delight + that he stepped out of the shadow just outside the window, with + a carelessly held pistol in his hand, which somehow appeared to + cover Holton. "De Cunnel said you'd please stay heah, suh," he + said placidly; but the pistol gave his words an emphasis which + could not be mistaken.</p> + + <p>Holton paled with rage, but did not take another forward + step.</p> + + <p>As he fell back Joe Lorey spoke. The murmur of the mob + outside, incited, he well knew, to hunger for his life, and the + loud voices of the Colonel and of Frank, raised in + expostulation, made an accompaniment for what he had to say to + Holton, and that he still was in grave danger made his attitude + more menacing, his words more impressive.</p> + + <p>"Yes," he said to Holton, while Madge gazed, spellbound, + "you hold on. I've a word to say to you."</p> + + <p>"Say it, then, and say it quick," said Holton, trying to + make his tone contemptuous.</p> + + <p>"I'll say it quick, and I'll say it plain. You know as it + war never me as fired that stable. You war there an' saw me + leave afore th' fire. It's yer place to cl'ar me. Why air you + a-houndin' me to my death?"</p> + + <p>Holton was uncomfortable. "Them men out thar believe ye + guilty. It ain't my work," he said.</p> + + <p>The mountaineer was not deceived. He knew this man to be his + enemy, although he knew no reason for his hatred. "It's you as + air settin' 'em on," he said, "as you set me on Frank Layson + when you told me that lie ag'in him in th' mountings."</p> + + <p>Madge had listened, speechless, during this dramatic scene, + but stood watching it, alert and ready to lend aid to her + friend, if opportunity arose. Now, at Joe's words, she started + forward.</p> + + <p>"Was it him as told you?" she inquired, amazed.</p> + + <p>Joe did not answer her, but continued to face Holton and + address him. "I believed you," he went on, "because I thought + you couldn't a-knowed o' th' still except through him; but + since he never told you, it air proof to me that you have been + in these here mountings, sometime, afore." Strange suspicions + were glittering from his hostile eyes as he faced the now + thoroughly alarmed man who, a moment since, had been the + blustering bully.</p> + + <p>"I tell you I were never thar!" said Holton hurriedly.</p> + + <p>"Then how did you know of th' cave an' the oak?" said Joe, + accusingly. The glitter of suspicion in his eyes was growing + brighter every second. "It's plain to me as how you've passed + many a day thar in them mountings. Thar's somethin' bound up in + yer past as has egged you on ag'in me. I wants to know what + that thing is—I wants to know just who an' what ye + air!"</p> + + <p>"It's easy enough to show who Horace Holton is," the man + said, blustering, but he was very ill at ease. "What do I care + what you want?" And then he made a slip. "You can't bring no + proof—" he began, but caught himself.</p> + + <p>Madge had been watching him with new intentness. The + excitement of the moment may have sharpened the girl's wits, + or, possibly, its hint of peril may have brought to Holton's + face some detail of expression, which, during recent weeks, had + not before appeared upon it.</p> + + <p>"But I kin," she said, slowly. "I war right in what I + thought when I first saw you in th' mountings. I <i>had</i> + seen your face afore!"</p> + + <p>"Don't you dare say that!" cried Holton, stepping toward her + angrily. The man who had been the accuser, was, strangely, now, + quite plainly, half at bay.</p> + + <p>"That look ag'in!" the girl said, studying his face. "That + look war printed on my baby brain!"</p> + + <p>"Silence, I say!" cried Holton, now badly frightened. He had + not counted on this recognition.</p> + + <p>"Never!" the girl said boldly. She was certain, now, as she + looked at him, that the suspicion which had flashed into her + mind was accurate. Her cheeks paled and she stepped toward him + with set face, clenched hands. Every fibre in her thrilled with + horror of him, every drop of blood in her young body cried for + vengeance on him. "I'll rouse th' world ag'in ye!" she + exclaimed, so tensely that even Lorey looked at her with + alarmed amazement. "I'll rouse th' world ag'in ye, for I'm + standin' face to face with my own father's murderer—Lem + Lindsay!"</p> + + <p>"Lem Lindsay!" said Joe, wonderingly, and then, with the + expression on his face of a wild-beast about to spring upon his + prey: "At last!"</p> + + <p>Holton shrank away from them in terror which he could not + hide. His bravado was all gone. He was, no longer, the accuser, + but, with the mention of that name, had changed places with Joe + Lorey and become the fugitive, shrinking, alarmed.</p> + + <p>"'Sh! Don't speak that name!" he pleaded. He made no effort + at denial. There was that in the girl's eyes which told him + that her recognition had been absolute. "I've been hidin' it + for years." He spoke pleadingly. "Look hyar. I've got + everythin' that heart can wish. Joe Lorey, I'll save you from + them men. I'll sw'ar I saw you leave the stable afore th' fire + begun." He moved his eyes from one of the accusing faces to the + other, terrified. "I'll make ye both rich if you'll never speak + that name ag'in!"</p><a name="Illus_5"></a> <br> + + <center> + <a href="images/Illus_5.jpg"><img src="images/Illus_5.jpg" + alt="Face to face with my fathers murderer" + width="40%"></a> + + <h4>"I'm standin' face to face with my own father's<br> + murderer—Lem Lindsay"</h4> + </center><br> + <br> + <br> + + + <p>"Your weight in gold would make no differ!" Joe cried + menacingly. "Lem Lindsay, it air Heaven's work that's given you + into my hands!" He went toward him slowly, menacingly, with his + strong fingers working with desire to clutch his shrinking + throat. "It air Heaven's will as you should meet your fall + through Ben Lorey's son!"</p> + + <p>Holton, desperate, gathered courage for a last effort to + escape from the net which he had woven to his own undoing. With + a quick movement he drew from his belt, where his long coat had + concealed its presence, hitherto, a gleaming knife, and, with + it upraised, rushed at Joe viciously. "I'm a free man, yet," he + cried, "an' I'm a-goin' to stay free!"</p> + + <p>Joe, alert, calm-eyed, cool-witted, waited for him with a + hand upraised to catch his wrist, with muscles braced to meet + the fierce attack.</p> + + <p>Madge rushed to the window, calling loudly: "Colonel! Mr. + Frank!"</p> + + <p>But Holton and Joe Lorey were, by that time, locked in a + desperate grip and struggling with the energy of men battling + for their lives. Twisting and straining, each striving with the + last ounce of energy within him to get the better of the other, + they plunged across the room and out into the hall.</p> + + <p>Just as Frank and the Colonel hurried in, a shot was heard + and then a heavy fall. An instant later Joe came to the + door.</p> + + <p>"Heaven's will are done!" he said, quite simply.</p> + + <p>Layson rushed toward him, but paused, aghast, looking off + through the open door. "Joe, you've killed him!" he + exclaimed.</p> + + <p>"An' I had a right!" said Joe, now strangely calm. "When he + killed my father it were ordained that he should fall by my + hands. I ain't afeared to stand my trial."</p> + + <p>"The men outside have promised," Layson said, dismayed by + this new and terrible complication, "that you shall have a fair + trial on the other charge. They've gone, now, for the sheriff. + But this charge," he looked toward the door which led into the + hall, "will be more serious!"</p> + + <p>"I can clear him of 'em both," said Madge. "I'll sw'ar th' + killin' was in self-defense; I'll sw'ar that Holton owned, + before me, that he saw Joe leave th' stable afore th' + fire."</p> + + <p>"He saw him!" exclaimed Frank, astonished. "What was Holton + doing there?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, don't you see?" said Madge. "He war your + enemy—th' man as told Joe th' lie ag'in you in th' + mountings, th' man as tried to burn Queen Bess."</p> + + <p>The Colonel had entered, quickly, from the gallery, and + stood listening, amazed and fascinated. Now, after a moment's + pause to think the matter out, he advanced to Joe with + outstretched hand. For the man who had been guilty of that vile + mischief he felt no regret, for the man who had, in a fair + fight and with good reason, shot him down, he felt full + sympathy. "Tried to burn Queen Bess!" he cried. "Joe, the + jury'll clear you without leaving their seats! Come, my + boy—the sheriff's here, and you will have to go with him; + but don't you worry. I'll see you through."</p> + + <p>Joe stood, thinking, with bowed head and frowning brow. + Suddenly he looked up and cast his eyes about upon the company. + "Before I goes, I wants to say a word to Madge," said he, and + turned to her with an impressive earnestness. "Little one, + don't you never fret about me, no more." He took her hand and + she gave it to him gladly. "I see, now, as you was never made + for me." He took a step toward Frank and led her to him. "I see + whar your heart is, an' I puts your hand in his." With bowed + head he relinquished the brown hand of the mountain-girl whom + he had loved since childhood, to the outstretched hand of the + young "foreigner," whom he no longer looked at with the hatred + which had so long thrilled his heart. "And—now I says + good-bye. God bless you both!"</p> + + <p>He went out, slowly, with the Colonel.</p> + + <p>"Madge, he's right," said Frank, "this little hand is + mine."</p> + + <p>He would have clasped her in his arms, but, finally, she + held him off.</p> + + <p>"No, no," said she, "not till you know my secret. It was I + who rode Queen Bess,"</p> + + <p>"You rode Queen Bess!"</p> + + <p>The Colonel was re-entering the room. "But the world will + never know it," he said gallantly, "on the honor of a + Kentuckian."</p> + + <p>Frank's smile was radiant. "If it did, I should say: 'Here, + Madge, in my arms, is your shelter from the world.'" He drew + her to him gently. "Madge, my little wife!"</p><br> + +<br> +<br> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13933 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |