Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1878-11-21
sound never came from theithroat of Wild
cat There it is again. Listen!

sound never came from tneitnrOat OF WAu-
cat There it is again. Listen!
s'The cry was repeated. 1t was Womans
voice, but it expressed such supreme misery
as l believe woman never felt before. II
came ringing up the gorge with wierd and
mournful intonation that chilled the blood IN
nv heart. By the DOCTOR quick breathing
could tell that he was as much affected as
mvself. Neither of us spoke nor moved
both waited for renewal of the cry, in the
hope of arriving at some rational explanation
of it.
"Again it came; but now like low, trem-
ulous sob. l am not superstitious man,
gentlemen, but l confess that l sat there
shivering with species OF horror that was
utterly new to me: What could it be? Not
a living woman, surely, alone and suffering
in an Inaccessible fastness where we were
morally certain nothing human dwe]t. And
then what misery was it thut gave itself such
uncanny expression? Not fear, nor bodily
pain but something terrible, something name
less to US. While we were debating these
questions in smothered tones, the cry came
once again. This time in words we under
stood:
"'Help! Oh! God! help!'
cat this ineligible appeal to our man
hood, our superstitious weakness at once dis
appeared. Selling a torch from our smol-
dering fire, we made our way hastily toward
a pile of rocks few hundred yards distant,
whence the sound seemed to have proceeded.
Scrambling up the height, we came suddenly
upon strange and mOurnful scene. Before
us stood small wretched-looking hut, evil
dently constructed by hands unused to such
labor, unglazed, and without chimney.
There was dim light within, and through
IN fho nf mo an
parently lifeless, lying prone upon the
earthen floor. Beside him, with arms flying
wildly over her head, knelt the figure of q
woman, evidently the one whose cries had
alarmed us. 1t needed but glance to assure
us that some strange tragedy had taken place,
and without moments hesitation we entered
the hut.
s'The woman raised her eyes as we ap-
preached, but gave no further heed to US.
Apparently her great sorrow had driven her
distracted. She was young creature, hardly
twenty, should judge, and despite the signs
of hardship and sorrow visible on her fea-
lures, very beautiful. Her form was slight
and even attenuated, but in its shabby dress
preserved traces of former refinement.
''Her companion, young man of about
her own age, attired in woodmans suit,
had evidently succumbed to hardship or dis
ease, and was either insensible or dead. His
pinched and ghastly countenance must have
been once very handsome, but now it looked
old and worn as that of q man of GO. He
had apparently fallen in the present position,
and the girl had been unable to raise him.
my friend, the Doctor" continued the
worthy Professor. ''surely, uncouth and Gym
ical as he commonly appears. has as kind
heart as ever beat in a mans breast-no tat
fo11o for ho
that you have faults that more than counter
balance your one good trait. Well, gentle
men, he bent over the poor creature, and in
voice as gentle as woman's endeavored to
arouse the girl from her lethargy.
"Who are your" said he, land what has
happened ?"
''He is dead-dead!' she muttered hoarsely.
"'Perhaps it is not as bad as that" he re-
ioined Tell US all about it. We are friends,
my dear, and medical men, and may be able
to assist you.
"'He died this morning, before my very
eyes, she moaned, died. oh, my God! of
starvation. And l never knew he was de-
priving himself for my sake. Oh my hus-
band, why did you not let me die with you ?
And she threw herself across the body, Sob
bing Us if ner poor heart would break. There
were tears in the Doctors eyes as he looked
at me-" added the Professor, with tremor
in his voice, land the rascal has always
sworn that my own were not dry. That,
however, is aside from the snbject.
''Though we knew nothing of these two
poor children-for they were but little more
we felt that we. had CHANGED upon strange
sad story of love, pride, and suffering. such
as is rarely told, even in this unhappy world.
'The Doctor stopped down and felt at the
heart of the PROSTATE man.
"'He is dead,' he whispered, motioning
me to initiate his example.
"'Yes, dead,' I replied, after examining
the corpse.
Glow we made the truth known to the
poor wife do not remember. 1t would
seem that she had preserved some faint rem
nant of hope until our assistance destroyed il
utterly. With low groan she fell suddenly
at our feet, insensible. Although we were
at a loss what course to pursue, we felt it no
more than our duty to remain in the hut FOL
the night; and on the morning to make the
best arrangements for the poor girls comfort
that were possible.
Fortunately the doctor had his medical
case in his pocket. Administering powerful
sleeping potion to her, he placed her in happy
Inconsistencies Of the events that were to
follow. We then proceeded to q more careful
examination of the man.
'sWithout vanity I can say that both the
doctor and myself have received some few
testimonials as to our scientific ability from
the world. You will probably believe thai
we are capable of deciding. upon, very SIM
pie case of death by starvation E DE paused'
and looked gravely around. ''Very good re-
member, then, that I assert upon my profes'
sional reputation that the man was stone
dead"
eyes" added the Doctor, who had hitherto
remained SILENT s'the life must have been ex
tinct more than five hours when we found
him"