The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-12-21

horse and my heart sank as heard the quic
footsteps dying out towards home.
Tho maddened pack had followed the hors
and shot by us number of rods, as we wer
thrown upon the bank. A shrek from Carr
arrested them in their career in an instar
they were upon us. gave one long, desper
ate shout TO arouse the folks in the cabins.
had no time to shout again. Their hot breat
burned upon me, and their dark masses gath
cred round like shadows of doom.
With broken limb l wildly kept them
bay for a moment, but fiercer and closer sur
ged the gnashing teeth Carry lay insensibl
on the ground before me. There was no NOR
coance. A stunted pine grew upon the QUITE
edge of the bank, and sho, out nearly horizon
| tally over the river below full hundred fee
| from the surface.
Dashing madly in their teeth with my cudg
el, yelled with the waning energy of despair
grasped Carry with one arm, and dashed reck
lessly out upon.the pine. Thought not oftht
danger; cared not. braved one danger Il
escape n greater. 1 reached the branch;
breathed freer as heard the growing Of th,
baflled party. al,sarE,
turned my head, and God of Mercy long
shadow was gliding along on the trunk of oul
last refuge. Garry was helpless, and it requi-
red all the strength of intense despair to hold
her and remain upon the slippery trunk.
turned to free the wolff struck with my fist
and again those fearful jaws shut with snap
as my hand brushed his head.
With demoniac growl he fastened upon the
shoulder of Garry. Oh, for help-fur a weup-
on-for a foothold on earth, where could have
grappled the monster.
heard the long fangs craunch into the flesh,
and the smothered breathing as the wolf con-
tinued to make sure his hold? On! it was hor-
rib G. L beat him over the head, but he only
deigned a munching growl. yelled, wept,
cursed. prayed, but the hungry devil cared not
for curses or prayers. His companions were
still whining and bowling, and venturing out
upon the pine l almost wished the tree wo'd
give way.
The wolf still kept his hold on Garry. None
can dream how the blood Kissed and swept
through my knotted VEINS. AT last the brute.
hungry for his prey, gave wrench and nearly
throw me from the pine. Garry was helpless
and insensiblo. Even the crunchng teeth Of
the monster did not awaken her from the death
Iy swoon into which she had fallen.
AS!hs o BESnE9he SEt Ee Yaod Upon II the skirt Of her
dress. The ncarnate devil had not released
his hold on the shoulder of Garry.
The end had comel My brain reeled. The
long BODY Of the wolf hung down like dark
shadow into the abyss. fast wearing out my re-
naming strength. The blood gushed warmly
from my nostrils ond lights flashed across my
eye-balls The over-tasked muscles of the
hand would relax, and as instantly close con-
vulsive upon the eluding skirt. / heard a tear
ing of stitches. The black wolf writhed and
wrench as if to deepen his hOld.
A sharp cracking mingled with the hum
ming noises in my head and tho dress parted
a I -, 1.Ol n Ia
ping sound of tho fall of the black devil and
his victim As they shot down in the darkness
| heard something like the bay of the old house
dog and the fircing of guns-but l heard no
more.
Weeks and months passed away before the
fearful dclirium left mo. | returned to con-
sciousness in my fathers cabin an emaciated
creature, as helpless as child. My youth
had passed away, and l was prematurely old
The raven black locks of twenty years had
changed TO silvery ones of age. Look at this
arm that clung to Garry! 1t is withered. /
have never raised it since that night In my
dreams | scel again that fearful night and a
wake with the cold, clammy sweat that gath
cred upon me while on that pine.
The neighing of the horse as he dashed into
the clearing had aroused the people at home
The empty and broken sleigh told briefstory
The hOwllng OF the wolves arose on lne Dldst,
and with guns and the old house dog they rush
ed to the scene.
They found me senseless upon the trunk,
covered with blood, and wolf feeling his way
on tho lev branch towards me- In turning at
he sound of their approach, nc slipped and
fell upon the ice.
Our people looked long for Garry Mason,
but did not fine her until next morning. They
then weni down on the ice aud found her corpse
The wolves had not picked her crushed bones.
thank God for that.
The fall had partially broken the ice, and the
oozing water bad frozen and fastened her long
black hair as it hoated it. The wolf had not
released his death grasp, and his teeth were
buried in her pure white shoulder.
The Spring sunshine and birds, and green
leaves had come again, as tottered out. My
sisters led me to grave on the rivers bank
the grave of all my youthful hopes, and all
that loved. The wild flowers werc already
starting on the mound. blessed them for
they doomed over the grave of Carry.