West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-06-12
The Kermit of Lone Cabin.

Away 20 the base of the beetling crags
and cliffs Of the hoary Sic ras stands a
lonely cabin, where only ruin and desola-
ton mark what might have once been a
pleasant if not happy home.
Well do | remember the dark tcmpestu-
Gus night that friend and myself passed
beneath its roof but few years since.
While seated before glowing fire, for it
was late i'm autumn, lac gave me the follow
Ing veritable history of the place:
Notwithstanding that ii was miles from
any habitation, several years before a soil
tary individual had appeared in the vicin-
ity, and out of the material that he pro-
cured from the neighboring forest built
this rude cabin.
He was stranger to all who met him.
and seeming TO AVOID rather than TO seek
acquaintances, he soon became known as
"The Hermit of Lone Cabin "
Three years passsd, and the unknown
still lived in his secusion, subsisiiug upon
the game that he readily procured with the
aid of his rifle.
One day about this time, as the hermit
contrary TO his usual habit visited the
nearest settlement, twenty miles below, he
was net by newcomer IN the place, who
crested him with the familiarity of an old
friend.
Appearing surprised, he denied ever hav-
ing seen the other, and would fain have
left him, but the would be associate seized
him by the collar, excla'ming:
"Iou can't deceive me, Loren Gray |
knew you the moment saw you, though
five years have changed your looks great
lY. Don't you remember Frank Chap
man. am he. Come, old boy, / want
TO show you to another old friend whom
you will be glad to see"
Still the hermit, confused and excited,
protested that his name was not Loren
Gray, and that he had never met the other.
"Iwon't do old chap you can't deceive
me by playing off in that way" was the
reply he received. 81 known that you are
Loren Gray, and have friend down to
the Eagle House who desires TO see you on
most important business. Come with me,
and if he don't recognize you, will stand
the drinks for the crowd" for by this
time quite knot OF. spectators had collect
ed around the spot, eager toknow what was
up.
Yielding with great reluctance, the her
NIT was half dragged by the impetuous
stranger down TO the public house, follow
81 tell you it's a mistake" repeated the
victim; my name is not Loren Gray.
By this time they had entered the build
ing, and the stranger, turning quickly to
young man lying on a dry-goods box
near at hand, indolently smoking his pipe,
cried:
''Here AL, have found him.
Springng 70 his feet in surprise, the
one addressed, who did not seem to be
more thau twenty cne or two years Of age,
but with tall, athletic form, turned upon
the iutruders.
As he caught sight of the hermit he stag
gered back like one shot, and pressing his
hand to his forehead, exclaimed
Loren Grayl"
Yes. cried his friend, triumphanily.
81 found him less than FIVE minuies ago;
but he has the audaoity TO deny his idon-
tity," M
Unheeding tb6wordsr The younger man
faced the amazed hermit and az his pierc-
Ing eyes met ihebthers he said hoarsely,
trembling with passion.
Have you forgotten me. Loren Gray2"
For mercys sake, tell me what this
meanstI am not Loren Gray, and neither
do know you. -
"Bah You need not think to escape by
your lies. have not hunted for you this
five years 70 be baffled now that 7 have
found You. If you do not remember me.
have you forgotten my sister, whom you
betrayed and murdered"
q"
''Not word, dog You can offer mo-
atonement for the wrongs that you have
done save in the sacrifice Of your life. But
wish TO take no advantage, and / chal
lenRe you 10 meet me In mortal combat
''No, mol" cried the other. "YOu are q
stranger 70 me and have no quarrel with
you. must decline 10 fight YOU.
As the hermit spoke the words, which ir
the minds Of the rough men around hin
marked bin n coward, the room raur viii
their cries Of derision.
The young stranger, TOO, his face nearl,
COlOrless with rage, uttered cOutemptuou
cry az he dealt the man a smart blow ON th,
cheek
There; see If that will not awaken YOU
! say that one of ms must die Take you
choice of weapons and meet me at once.
om impatient t0have a. over. / care bu
little N fall, II u oau know ere ] die thai
the untimelv fate Of my poor sister ha
been avenged. Come Norman" address
ing bis companion, "yOU viii be my sec
ond, while be can select whom he viii T
J TALL, you know my request Don't lo
him escape Wen, Loren Gray, dare yol
meet me IKE man, or have ysu OIL