The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-10-21

ing; he seems to be able to pick out the worst
bits of ground in the district. Pm GETTING
tired already, and we haven't walked three
hours"
and with one rest. This Is most wretcbed
sort of wilderness. Have you ever been near
here before?"
Never. Pm utterly out of my reckoning
at seems to me-" said Hardy, ''that Wer-
while he is working US continually TO the
west"
"Aslz him."
Hardy did so, but elected no answer, except
that the way they were going was the right
one.
But look here" exclaimed Linton, testify
as they had to help each other over rock:
eve don't want to do any climbing TODAY;
we want to get to Werhausen, and the road
can't be over mountain"
''If YOU are not con ent to follow me,n re-
piled Walter, surlily, sit would be best for Won
TO go your own road.
This was finish to the conversation, for. as
the tourists had already supposed, they were
utterly out of the ordinary track, and neither
of them had an idea of their position. Linton
received the mans impertinent answer with
phil sophie shrug, reSgning himself to the
unpleasantness Of harder wall than he had
anticipated, but Hardy, who had caught sight
of his face as he spoke, began to feel seriously
uneasy.
~ say, Charlie, - he said, ''don't do anything
to make that fellow angry"
Make him angry? It's the other way, |
think. Pm getting fairly savage with him for
leading us this dance"
~ wouldn't tell him so il were you"
"Why n0tr'
'Well, you see, If he were to become un-
pleasant, it would be rather awkward for US.
wouldn't itP'
81 don't see that; we are two to one. Be-
sides, why sh ,uld he turn unpleasantln
Gle saw YOU kissing Nina this morning"
'Did he? | can't help it; he shouldn't have
been looking"
"Unfortuna' ely he was, and | can't help
thinking he means to pay us out"
''You think he is taking us this round oy
way of administering a lesson tous! BY Jovel
if / thought So"
"Do keep still, Charlie; don't make him
angry"
Jack? Surely you aren't afraid of that fell
Lowe"
Eyes, am; confess it."
'Why, | believe | could tackle him single
handed, and I'm sure you could"
eyes, but we are in his power. If he means
mischief he has nothing to do but to choose
his time for doing it."
Good heavens, Jack! do you mean that he
81 don't say he does, but | fear it. And if
he does, how can we prevent him! All he has
to do is to suddenly run off; we can never
overtake him, as he knows very well. In half
all hour he would be out of sight, and We
where should we be!''
Linton grew pale, but recovered himself
They were now walking along the side of a
buttress of the mountain up which they had
been oiling. The ascent was very gradual,
and they could talk without undue exertion.
Walter was couple of yards in 'front.' stolidly
striding ahead.
"What shall we do, JACKIE asked Linton,
who recognized in his companion stronger
mind. as IL any good to tell him that
meant nothing by kissing Nina and that !
shall never see her againt''
mo, no. We must let him suspect us, or it
is all up. When we come to goo place we
will propose stopping to eat something. One
Of us must keep near him all he time. Or,
better still, you must get faint and insist on
taking his arm. You must never let it go. As
long as he is with us we are safe, for | scarce
lv expect his wish for revenge is strong
enough to let him risk his own safety"
81 believe he means to thoroughly tire us
out before he does anything, and hat won't
take long, so far as | am concerned; my legs
are beginning to give way, and he is going on
as fresh as paint. Let's bring matters to a
crsis.N
Hi, Walter" shouted Hardy; "we're get
ting hungry. Wen stop here and have some
bread and cheese"
There is much better place little fur
Their on" replied the guide, where there is
a spring"
Shall we go on ~ whispered Hardy to Lin
ton. Be as careless as you can"
As YOU like; if there is a spring it will be
blessing"
1" All right; let's go on if it isn't far" said
Harry aloud. g But my friend is used up; you
must give him your arm, and I'll take that
knapsack, if you like"
Linton moved forward to take his arm.
Hardy had already taken hold of the knapsack
so quickly that the guide had no time to move
away, even If he had wished. He made no
objection to the proposal, and Linton put his
arm through his, Hardy keeping close in the
rear. They could still talk to each other, for
they knew that Walter did not understand
English.
In this manner they plodded YEARLY on for
another mile, no slight distance when the
path is over rocks and loose stones. The scene
was a most impressive one; but at present its
exceeding deSolatiOn was the characteristic
which the two friends felt most strongly Not
house was in sight, and scarcely tree :;
nothing but the rocks and earth. Below there
lay a deep dark valley, with a rushing torren-
Which now looked mere white thread; above
them black rocks capped with everlasting
SHOWS. For all that they could tell theirs were
the first human footsteps that had ever fallen
in his dcsolate spot.
Walter had spoken truth. There was a
spring ahead of them, and the sight of it re-
lieyed their spirits. They took it in turns to
drink, one filling his cup while he other
mounted guard over the guide. The Ia ter
seemed to be conscious by this time that he
was the object of suspicion; but his action
and look did not alter. He ate his crust and
drank the water without making any attempt
to move away from them, and Hardy half
began o hope that he had been wronefng him
At any rate he determined to make one more
attempt at Cancellation.
"Wnat time shall we reach Werhausen,
Wal erl" he asked.
Il shall get there about six,n he replied.
ALLOWING how long for rest?" asked Hardy.
purposely taking no notice of his using the
word 'I.n
You can rest as long as you like" was the
answer, bu | am going on.n
''What do you mean! We've hired YOU as
our guide, and Youll have to stop or go on, as
we wish"
Il am no. your guide. l would not take
money from you if | were starvinr. / only
brought you here to take you away from Nina,
1t will be long time before YOU find your
way back there again, my fine young gentle
men,"
This was a declaration of war, and all felt it
to be so. Walter rose and faced hem, stand
ing about two PAGES of. Hardy looked straight
at him and said: ''Doyou mean that YOU have
brought US out of our way because of some
harmless flirting with Ninaln
{" Yes" shouted Walter, losing all command
oil himself, and ma ding his voice echo down