Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 108: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AN ADIRONDACK RIVALRY. 101 come a courtin’ of a, girl with threats like this.” Carrie White’s eyes Mashed scorntully. “ Sho, you needn’t get so het up about what I said, girl. I was only a little riled about Tom’s coming up here so much and trying to win you from me.” The woman stood up and faced her old love. “ Hiram Chester,” she said, “ Tom Jameson don’t have to come courting me any more; for !’ve promised to be his wife, and we’re going to get mar- ried just as quick as we can.” She expected this announcement would open the flood gates of Hiram’s long pent up feelings against his rival; but the girl was disappointed. She didn’t know how deeply the man cared for her. The real meaning of her words had not yet penetrated to his innermost feeling. All that he did was to get up slowly. He put out his hand to Carrie and said “ Good by ” in a low voice. Then he walked across the clearing before the little log house, and as he disappeared down the trail in the direction of his boat the girl noticed that he dragged his feet as if he were wearied by a long journey. Carrie White didn’t have a chance to think of what had happened. The bushes at the other side of the clearing parted, and Tom Jameson stepped out. The idea flashed through her mind that it was mean of Tom to hide him- self and overhear what had taken place between the old lovers. It seemed to her that Tom did not trust her as a true man should trust the woman who was to be his wife. “So you told him, did you? I guess he'll steer clear of this place for a while. He won't get the chance any way. I heard what he’s going to do tonight, and he'll be sent up for some time when IJ catch him.” Tom came and took the seat outside the cottage door that Hi had just left. Carrie somehow felt relieved that she did not have to perform what she thought was her duty by telling her constable lover of what Hiram was going to do that night. ‘“ And he threatens to mistake me for a deer, does he?” Tom went on. “ He’s a nice one to come making love to a decent girl, he is. J’ll land him where he ought to be.” Carrie agreed with Tom. He was the hand of the law now, and she was glad that the lawbreaker, Hiram Chester, was gone. Right was on their side, and she could marry this man without her conscience pricking her. But somehow that evening after supper, when her father had lighted his pipe and sat up before the open fire, Carrie was very restless. She could not sit down and sew. She found no interest in the papers that Tom had brought in from the Falls for her to read. Perhaps it was the storm clouds that were piling themselves up over the top of Bear Mountain which made her go to the window so often and peer out into the coming darkness. Perhaps, too, it was the thought that two men were out there in the forest, armed, and with hate in their hearts for each other. GOH GoOOO ‘SS COLNT