Judith of the Cumberlands

Such crowd as the little village had collected was following, Bonbright with the rest, when he encountered the girl who had come from the milliner's shop. She stood now alone by the sorrel horse with the side-saddle on it, holding the bridle-reins of the two mules, and there was a bewildered look in her dark eyes as the noisy throng swept past her which brought him--led in the hand of destiny--instantly to her side.

"What's the matter?" he asked her. "Can I help you?" And Judith who, in her perturbation, had not seen him before, started violently at the words and tone.

"They've tuck the boys," she hesitated, in a rich, broken contralto, that voice which beyond all others moves the hearts of hearers, "I--I don't know how I'm a-goin' to get these here mules home. Pete he won't lead so very well."

"Oh, were you with the men Haley arrested?" ejaculated Bonbright.