The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-02-23

storm is over; then you must go on;
shall shut the Office SOON"
This was lie, but in my pressing need
I did not hesitate. The man impressed
me unfavorably. Short, stout, roughly
and almost raggedly clothed, with a
heavily bearded face, and thickly
matched head, coarse, rough hands, a
reddish nose and sharp, hawky eyes, he
appeared like tramp; and tramp 1
dreaded.
For few moments he crouched before
the fire in silence, while /, growing. more
and more nervous, slyly drew the table,
drawer open, so that my pistol was with
in reach, and tapped necessarily with
the key of my instrument. Without, the
rain fell in sheets, the roar of the thunder
shook the air, and the sulphurous glare
of the lightning at times dimmed both
my lamp AMI the fire.
ANY chopin nigh about this,
miss?"
The question startled me.
"Any what?" said I shortly.
ANY chopin cuttin'. I'm a
chopper by trade, an l want work.
Thought might get it on the road. NY
axes outside now," he added in lower
tone.
His axe!
AT the words sudden chill went
through me; blood colored mist
seemed to rise before my eyes; felt my
eyes quivering, and, written in the very
air, appeared the horrible sentence:
''The unknown murderer is still at
larger
This slayer of children, this fend of
the axe, was at my freside
/ ought to have tainted. In justice to
my sex should have done so; but did
not To faint, to waver even, meant
death. The table was between us, his
terrible weapon outside and my pistol
close at hand. If but kept my wits,
the chances were in my favor.
The man looked at me curiously. I re-
membered his question.
"No-yes," I stammered. "There's
chopping at Buckthorne-work, 1
msan."
Nom, not fer met he replied,
quickly. "I've just come from Buck
horne"
He was surely the one.
1 slipped my left hand into the drawer
and grasped the revolver. If he stirred
would shoot him as he sat.
But he did not stir-only watched the
great flames leap and roar about the log
in the chimney as the prairie wind
above shouted to them-only bowed his
head lower, and still lower, until his
heavy locks fell and swayed, fringe of
black between his luddy face and
the more rudy fire-only dozed, but
never stirred.
And as watched him, wondering,
meantime, if must thus sit until day
dawn, slight noise attracted me. There
was soft football at the door, and then
it opened, and, with little moan, an
other visitor entered-a woman.
With glad cry, greeted her, and
quickly thrusting my weapon into my
pocket, arose to meet her. She ad-
vanced, almost staggering.
"Oh, for the love of heaven" she
cried, "give me shelterl am lost"
l caught her in my outstretched arms
sprsng from the bench.
"Herel Sit her?" he said quickly, and
his gruff voice was softer. Poor thing!
Together we placed her before the
glowing fire. She was weak, and almost
unconscious. but together we chafed her
hands, and dried her wet and bleeding
feet, and at last her great eyes opened
again.
Where am II" she said, YEARLY look
ing about her.
'Safe, my dear madame" replied,
soothingly. ''Safe, with me. This is .
telegraph office, in Centerton."
Telegraph? Where? To whom?'
she cried, starting up wildly, her great
eyes cleaning with strange fire; then
she paused, with her hands at her head.
"Oh, am so wearyl so weary I beg
you let me rest!" and sank again to her
seat.
surely, you may rest--rest all night,
If you will" said /, full of sympathy /;
land you," continued turning quickly
to that man, whom Ifeared, "you must
go at oncer
He looked at me sharply.
"What, miss, in this Storm"
Before / could reply there came o call
upon the instrument-I was wanted.
"Stay if you must, then" said I,angry
at the perverse fate which kept him near
me; but care for her."
And hurried to my post.
1t was q long message. Instructions
from Buckthorne with regard to Wild
cat train to psss It four in the moi ming;
orders for the trAckmen next day; in
quiries IS TO the storm; and for full
hour I was busy.
During this time ] had noted my
SfYau0e caIlarx Tho Woma0 apomod In