al 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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."

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.

"Why, Madge, what is the matter?"

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.

"Life or death to me, little girl? What are you talking of?" said he,
almost incredulous.

"Joe Lorey's still were raided by the revenuers after you come down!"

"It can't be possible!"

"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."

"Poor fellow! I am