The Newtown bee., 1880-06-16
THE HERMIT.

and cliffs of the hoary Sierra, stands lonely cabin where only ruin and desola- tion mark what might have once been pleasant if not a happy home. Well do remember the dark, tempestuous night that friend and myself passed beneath its roof but a few years since. While seated before a glowing fire for it was late in autumn, he gave me the following veritable history of the place:
 Notwithstanding that it was many miles from any habitation, several years ago solitary individual had appeared in the vicinity, and out of the material that he procured from neighboring forest built this rude cabin. He was a stran- ger 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 passed, and the unknown still lived in his seclusion, subsisting upon the game that he readily procured with the aid of his rifle. One day about this time, as the hermit, contrary to his ~~N"AA As'cAI, flolbIu uCslltSI SGlllG- ment, twenty miles below, he was met by newcomer in the place, who greeted him with the familiarity of an old friend.
 Appearing surprised, he denied having seen the other, and would fain have left him, but the would-be associate seized him by the collar, exclaiming:
 You can't deceive me, Loren Gray. l knew you the moment I saw you, though five years have changed you greatly. Don't you remember Frank Chapman. am he. Come, old boy, I want to show you to another old friend whom know 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.''
 'Twon't do, old chap; you can't de- ceive me by playing of in that way" was the reply he received. II know that you are Loren Gray, and have friend down to the Eagle house who de- sires to sec you on most important busi- ness. 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 collected around the spot, eager to know what was up
 Yielding with great reluctance, the hermit was half dragged by the impetu- ous stranger down to the public house, followed by crowd of lookers-on.
 T tell you it's mistake" cried the victim; ''my name is not Loren Gray, butt
 By this time they had entered the building and the stranger, turning quickly to young man lying on dry goods box near at hand, indolently smok- ing his pipe, cried:
 "Here, Al, I have found him."
 Springing to his feet in surprise, the one addressed, who did not seem to be more than twenty-one or two years of age, but with tall, athletic form, turned upon the intruders.
 As he caught sight of the hermit he staggered back like one shot, and press ing his hand on his forehead, he ex- claimed:
 Loren Gray!"
 "Yesl" cried his friend, triumphantly. T found him less than five minutes ago :; but he has the audacity to deny his iden- tity."
 Unheeding the words, the younger man faced the amazed hermit, and as his piercing eyes met the others, he said hoarsely, trembling with passion:
 Have you forgotten me, Loren Graypn
 For mercy's sake, tell me what this means! I am not Loren Gray, and nei- ther do know you"
 ''Bahl You need not think to escape by your lies. have not hunted for you this five years to be bafiled now that I have found you. If you do not remem- Der me, have you forgotten my sister, whom you betrayed and murdered ?"
 'I-n
 Mot word, dog! You can offer no atonement for the wrongs that you have done, save in the sacrifice of your life''
 ''No, noi' cried the other. You are a stranger to me and have no quarrel with you. must decline to fight you
 As the hermit spoke the words, which in the minds of the rough men around him marked him coward, the room rang with their cries of derision.
 The young stranger, too, his face nearly colorless with rage, uttered con- temptuous cry as he dealt the man a smart blow on the cheek.
 There; see if that will not awaken you. l say that one of us must die Take your choice of weapons and meet me at once. am impatient to have ii over. l care but little if I fall, if can know ere die that the untimely fate oi my poor sister has been avenged. Come, Norman" addressing his companion you will be my second, while he can select whom he will. If fall you know my request. Don't let him escape Well, Loren Gray, dare you meet me like man, or have you only courage enough to war upon defenseless womenfn
 The hermit, fairly writhing under tho treatment he had received, could only look upon him in silence. The excited crowd began to boot at him, and the con fusion was becoming onlinous of danger to the trembling man, when the avengel silenced them with move of his hand
 Then, drawing brace of heavy revol vers, he extended them both toward th' other.
 Take one," lie said fiereely. TT SC, you are not armed; but they are loaded alike. and you have nothing to fear iron that score.v N