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Show A TALE OF CIVIL STRIFE ft r RANDALL PARRISH ' 'T ItLWMriONS &-C.D. RHODES J cofYwcfir ) (J a ci?g.vc t, ca " ' "' ' "It was cold blooded murder, Cowan!" Cow-an!" I exclaimed indignantly, "the cul minatiou'of a feud." "Huh who told yer that?" I stepped aside, but still hf-ld him under the muzzle of my revolver. The change in posture brougbt the man face to face with Noreen; I saw him lean forward and gaze at her; then recoil, as though he viewed a ghost. She never moved, never spoke. "Good Lord!" he muttered. "Is that Harwood's girl? Why. Anse's out buntln' after her now " He stopped, cursing fi eely to himself. him-self. His eyes shifted their gaze from the face of the girl to mine. Tbey were narrow cat eyes, cruel and cunning. cun-ning. "I reckon I ain't seen ol' Harwood's gal afore in maybe five year." be said slowly, "but she has sure growed up tine. Anse took alter marrying' ber furst jist ter spite Harwood, but since lie seed her a while back he's sorter took a notion he wants her hisself. 1 reckon I don't blame him. Tbet's why ha wouldn't wait, but set out ter-night. ter-night. No. I don't reckon, young fel ler, it's no particular risk. Ver a sojer an' don't jest understand how we fight out yere in the mountings. We jest strike quick, an' then git away. 'Tain t so much of a trick Anse is a -playing at over at Lewishurg. Sure thar's five hundred Yanks thar; an' if thar wus live thousand it wouldn't make no great difference the way the guard is I Ran My Hand Within, Touching the Flesh. sot. The who!' blame caboodle Is camped in the courthouse yard, an' the only picket is at the main ford o' the Green Briar. Yer never saw nobody, no-body, did yer, gittin' out yere?" "No," I admitted, realizing his intimate inti-mate knowledge. "The camp is poorly protected." "I reckon it Is, and Anse knows that just as well as you do. An' he knows the gal yere had a room at ther hotel. Thar is where he went, aimin' fer ter raid the shebang just before daylight." He laughed again mirthlessly. mirth-lessly. "By God, but Anse will be. some mad when he finds out whut has happened. I reckon he'll 'bout cut yer heart out." "He will have to get me first." "Oh, don't yer ever worry none 'bout thet, young fellar. Anse will sure git yer; he knows every bridle path 'cross these mountings, an' I wouldn't give a contiuental damn fer no chance you've got fer ter git away. He's a tiger cat on a trail, Anse is an' besides the blame fool wants the gal. He ain't no Cowan if he lets you beat him outer her." He glanced quickly across my shoul der toward the door. Perhaps she moved; perhaps it was all imagination, imagina-tion, but 1 thought I heard a noise, and wheeled partly around, my eyes for an instant deserting old Cowan's face. It was his one chance, and he took it. I sensed- the spring, even as Noreen's cry of warning broke the silence, but not in time to escape the grip of the old man's iron fingers. His body crashed against me with such force that I staggered and fell; one hand closed like a vise on my throat, the other gripped the stock of my revolver, re-volver, crushing my fingers lifeless. I struck tho edge of the table, struggling strug-gling vainly to keep my feet. It went over with a crash, bearing us both along, old Ned atop, clutching fiercely to keep his hold, his eyes blazing madly down into mine. As we struck I wrenched my hand free and pulled the trigger. The shot seemed to blaze across my own breast, burning like tire, and, the next instant, the man's knee crushed my wrist to the floor, and the revolver fell from my be-benumbed be-benumbed fingers. I seem to recall little of what followed; fol-lowed; only a confused recollection of desperate struggling amid the legs of the overturned table; of oaths, blows, of eyes glaring revengefully into mine. I seemed to lose all knowledge, all consciousness, under the merciless throttling of those hard fingers. Then suddenly they relaxed i" caught a quick, reviving breath, another. Every nerve in me throbbed; I could see again, hear, leel. That was Noreen's tace 1 looked Into ay, and the girl was actually dragging the fellow off me! I took another breath, a long one. moving so that the inert bodv rolled over on its side; then I rose up. supporting myself on one arm, and stared about, sobbing in the first ef fort to gain control. "Noreen!" the name choked in my ' ; hroat "Yes; it's all right now Cowan is dead." "Dead! You you killed blm?" "No; it must have been your shot I had no chance; you you two fought like madmen then then he just lei go of you. and fell V.ack. I was afraid to come I though! at first he had killed you." ".My shot! why the revolver Just went off." I muttered, scarcely com prehending. "See! the bullet burued me across the chest, and there is blood there. And vou say It struck him? Lord! I never knew. Help me to sit up. Noreen." With the aid of her arms I found support against the table. The blue coat I wore showed clearly the mark of the bullet, and blood discolored the burned cloth. 1 ran my hand within, touching the flesh. "A mere scratch." 1 said lightly, "re quiring a little water. Don't cry, Noreen; No-reen; there is no barm done; I'll be all right in a minute. Are you sure Cowan is dead?" "Yes; he he hasn't moved since: but but I didn't kill him." ' "Of course no. and I'm glad I did. This is part of my trade, and I'll not lose any sleep over it. Ah! I can get up alone, and the first thing I an going to do is to bar that door." CHAPTER XXII. We Understand Each Other, Noreen had drawn away from thfl body of the dead man, and stood against the farther log wall, with face hidden in her hands. Cowan lay at full length, one arm thrown across his eyes. I bent over him, touching his flesh with my fingers The ball had penetrated his abdomen, and how the fellow ever fought so fiercely after receiving his death wound 1 can jievet understand. I think that in his mad ferocity he was scarcely aware that he was hurt. 1 turned him partly over and drew out from the inside pocket of his blouse a handful of papers con cealed there. One was a buff packet which had been roughly torn open the one taken from Major Harwood the night of his murder. The packet contained several official papers, but the principal paper was a carefully prepared list of irregulars operating throughout tho mountain country, with names of the better-known better-known leaders, the estimated strength of each separate gang, the region in which they hid, and the side tbey espoused, if any. This had evidently been carefully prepared by some staff officer, undoubtedly Major Harwood himself, as the letter referred to him as having been detailed to ;vach duty, and was full and complete I found therein this mention of tht Cowans: "Father and two sons; probably con trol fifty or more men, with headquarters headquar-ters near Union in Green Briar mountains; raid indiscriminately; have attacked our forage trains; refuse re-fuse to co-operate, and continue to terrorize ter-rorize a large section; raided Lewis burg before it was occupied by troops, killing several, and looting ihe shops Is considered the most dangerous gang operating in- Green Briar and Monroe counties; reports of atrocities received almost daily, many too hideous hide-ous to repeat." I glanced up at Noreen, and her eye? met mine inquiringly, "Is this your father's handwriting?' I asked, holding the paper toward him "Yes; what is it important?" "Not very complimentary to Cowan here. A report to General Halleck, at Washington, of conditions in western Virginia. I wonder how the old vil lain ever learned that such a paper was being forwarded?" "It is not likely he did," she answered an-swered thoughtfully. "It may have been mere accident which put the document in his hands. See, here is a letter that father wrote," and she stooped and picked it up from the floor, uttering an exclamation of stir prise. "Why, it it is addressed tc Ned Cowan at Union! What c Jd he possibly have written this man- about?" "Let me see," and I took it from het hands. "We may find here an explanation expla-nation of the whole affair." (TO BE CONTINUED.) Finnish Characteristics. The Finn thoroughly enjoys bathing and shares with the Japanese the cus torn of both sexes bathing together. Finns predominate in the country north of the Duna, or Dvina river. Here they are agriculturists. Further north they are Russia's fishermen, trappers and hunters. They catch forty for-ty or more kinds of fish in the lake district, the best of which they send to the big markets to the South Theii"tri diet consists almost entirely entire-ly of fish and coarse bread. They mix stale fish with their flour and make a flat cake, to enjoy which the stranger first needs considerable ex perieuce and resolution. Haiti a Rich Island. The republic of Haiti occupies about one-third of the island of Haiti. It is one of the richest islands in the Caribbean world. That part which composes the republic of Haiti is a land of mountains and valleys, a little larger than the state of Massachu setts. It presents an astounding variety va-riety of climate and veretation, varying vary-ing all the way from tropical jungle near the coast to high mountain ridges covered with forest not unlike that of Maine and Canada. Japs Pay H'gher Prices for Food. Imported foods, on the average, cost in Japan from 10 to 15 per cent more than before tho war. Increases in freight and insurance are chiefly blamed for the rise. Imported butter has liseu 20 per cent, and Is still mounting, largely due to the fact that the belligerent powers in Europe have prohibited the export of butter. SYNOPSIS. 15 Conr.tlpriito ScrKfint Wyatt Is sfnt fi.i a spy to Ills n nt 1 v e county on the Grt-t-n ilrifir. flu m ts a mountaine'-i mimt-.l Jim Taylor. At n house tieyorul Hot .Springs they mc-i-t Malor Hnrwouil Taylor niunit-rs Harwood ami escapes Wyatt Hainan to U. S. uniform, e.scapen to the fjieen Hilar count! y anil Koes to I larwood's heme, where he fln'ls Noreen ilarwoo'l. He Int roil uci-s himself as l.h-u-t'-nant ICayriiond, 1'aison Nichols comes to Ihe house and Wyatt forces him to confess that he has been senl In advance of Anse Cowan, who proposes to marry Noreen fit onefc. and so uutel title to the land in dlspule between the Cowans nnd Noreen's dead father. Arise Cowan and Ills Katitf arrive. Wyatt tells Noreen who he Is. They force the preacher to silence t'nahle to escape while ihe KanK Is on the flrat floor and around the house. Wyatt proposes to marry Noreen nnd 1'rolect her from Cowan. She accepts and Wyatt forces the preacher 10 marry them. Cowen's pnnK Is driven olY by Kederal trooos, one of wdiose officers Is the real Lieutenant Raymond. Wyatt Is trapped, though Noreen attempts to defend de-fend him. Wyatt Is taken to Lewlsbuta? for trial as a spy. The camp commandant comman-dant nnd Caotaln Eox visit Wyatt In his cell In the courthouse basement. He refuses re-fuses clemency in return for Information, and uses his boyhood's knowledge of the bulldlrifi to escape to the attic and thence to the sheriff's office by means of a disused, dis-used, old-fashioned chimney. He washes off the soot and changes clothes In the deserted washroom, and reconnol ters. He fairprlsea Raymond and the camp commandant, com-mandant, holds them up. and with the asslslnnce of Noreen. Rets out of the courthouse. Noreen decides to accompany Mm in his flight. They obtain horses and escape from Lewlsburs. CHAPTER XXI. The Fight In the Cabin. Benton's cabin had been burned six months ago. Noreen told m.e, and the old man was believed to be dead. Few others ever used this cut-off. or had occasion to pass this way. and the weeds had quickly taken possession I was obliged to feel for the worn trail, as It wound here and there along the elope of the hill, and then finally down a shallow depression toward the river bank. The horses stepped cautiously, pressed closely together in the narrow rut, and the only noise was the occasional occa-sional stumble of a hoof. Thus we came down to the shore. My memory of the spot was hazy and uncertain. "Have you ever crossed here?" 1 asked doubtfully. "I scarcely remem ber wherj the ford lies." "Yes," she replied, leaning forward, "with my father a year ago." "We'll ride together, but keep your feet free In the stirrups." "1 am not In the least frightened. Don't worry about me," and she held out her hand. "You'll not -find me a bad soldier." "1 am certain of thatnot If you are still the same girl I played with." Her hand was in mine, and was not withdrawn. "I hardly think 1 am," she answered an-swered soberly, a little catch in her voice. "I am not a girl at all any more, but 1 keep something of the same spirit. 1 hope." 1 have never understood what spell there was about her to keep me silent 1 had never before lacked audacity, yet 1 dare not speak the words that were on my lips. The thought had taken firm possession of my mind that she was the victim of circumstances; lli'UlLil,liihiii'K(H!lllj1fir ' i A Big Fellow With lagged, Un-trimmed Un-trimmed Hair and Scraggly Beard. that she accompanied me merely to escape from threatened danger. 1 knew 1 loved her; the touch of ber hand sent a wild thrill through me. and my heart throbbed to the memory that she was actually my wife. But I dare not permit her to even guess the truth, for 1 felt that she regretted the weakness of that moment and would resent the slightest reference to It 1 released her hand, venturing upon no reply, and we rode down the steep bank. The sullen sweep of the water, out of the darkness above, into the darkness below, and the brooding silence, lay held on my nerves. We drew in under the shadows of the wooded bank, pushed our way through to the top of the rise, came suddenly to an open spare, where a dozen acres had been cleared, and rede out boldly acroM the open field to the Mot Springs pike, clearly visible beneath the soft gleam of the stars. I know not how long we rode, or how far, for my mind had drifted into a review of ' the night's adventures and a plan for the morrow. We met with no one, heard no noise except the steady pounding of our horse's hoofs. A little later the sky to the east began be-gan to lighten in the promise of dawu We climbed a long hill, our horses slowing to the ascent, and by the time we attained the summit the gray light revealed pur faces. I looked across at her, and her eyes, uplifted suddenly sud-denly to mine, smiled. "You are worn out," I said. "I I am tired," she confessed. "1 I have been two days and nights without with-out sleep, if 1 could only rest for an hour " "You shall all day long. We will find a place In which to hide down there In the valley." The road led winding down between rocky banks into a narrow valley, hemmed m by great hills, and watered by a small stream. As we paused to let the thirsty animals drink, the in creasing daylight gave me glimpse of a bridle path skirting the edge of the stream along the west bank. The path turned sharply to the right, and as we mounted to the slightly higher ground we could see the cabin perched on a little knoll, against the black hill behind. Surely nothing about the shanty, or its immediate surroundings. Indicated present occupancy. Yet when 1 finally advanced it was with caution, and a strange sense of expectation Noreen followed closely behind, treading al most In my footsteps, as noiseless as a fawn, her skirts held close about ber limbs. At the edge of the woods she stood motionless as I went crouching forward. The cabin was not deserted, in spite of its desolate outward ap pearance. Opposite me was an open fireplace, an iron kettle sitting in the ashes, while a short-barreled rifle stood uright in a corner. On one of the stools lay a broad-brimmed hat, and a pair of ragged corduroy trousers hung on a wooden peg beside the unbarred un-barred door. I motioned to her to join me. In spite of the lines of weariness weari-ness in her face the light of the dawn revealed a beauty that caused my heart to throb. Her eyes silently questioned ques-tioned me, and I explained' quickly what discovery 1 had made. "But the man may return," she said doubtfully. "Ot course, although I imagine he has disappeared for the day. If he is hiding out he may not dare to re main here in daylight. Anyway you can rest safely, for 1 am not In need of any sleep. 1 napped in my cell yesterday, and just a short doze will serve me. But you are terribly tired-it tired-it is in your eyes." "Yes," she confessed, "1 must sleep somewhere." "Then come; we'll find a bite to eat and a place for you to lie down." 1 opened the door noiselessly, although al-though I took no special precaution, and held it wide, while she steppec across the threshold, and stood look- ! iug curiously about. Then I closed it ! behind us. and we were in a sort -of twilight, amid which objects appeared rather indistinct. "Ah." 1 said, "the fellow's cupboard must he over yonder. 1 hope he keefis it well stocked " 1 stepped across in front of her, with no other thought than that of explor ing the larder, when she gave vent to a startled cry. and 1 stopped suddenly, sweeping my eyes about to learn the cause of alarm. The ragged quilt was on the floor, and a man leaped across the room and grasped the rifle in the corner. 1 saw the swift movement. ; realized the purpose, yet had scarcely ! time to draw a revolver from the belt, before he had hand on the weapon. ' and w hirled savagely auout, facing us For the instant the gloom disfigured his face all 1 knew was that he was ' a big fellow, with ragged, untrimmed hair and a scraggly beard I stepped forward and Hung up my arm "Drop it!" 1 said shortly. "Lift that gun and you're dead!" Al first 1 thought liim crazy enoug! .to take the chance of my fire; then the big fii.gers relaxed, and Ihe rifie fell clattering to the floor. To my surprise. sur-prise. Ihe fellow laughed. "Well. I'll be damned!" he chortled. i "you here ?" j He threw bark his head, and 1 ree ' ognized him Jem Taylor, old Ned ' Cowan. 1 drew a quick breath, m; teeth clenched, my arm steady. This encounter was going to prove no boy's play. "Put down yer popgun, boy. an' take it easy the blame thing mout go off 1 reckon as how we all hav n't got nuthin' ter fight fer, hav' we? How ther Sam Hill did yer ever git yere? "Now wait." I broke in coldly "You stand just where you are. I am not sure whether you know me or not: but I know ycu. Ned Cowan 1 know what you did at Hot Springs, and how you took me aloni so as to make otb ers believe 1 was guilty " "Shucks, lad; 'twas no more than a fair tight." |