Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-06-16
THE KElPiE'S HOLE.
BY c. GROVER.

Loud vas the dash Of the angry bill
lows against the face Of the cliff, upon
which the old lighthouse stood. Janet
Walker sat 6usily engaged upon the
coarse jacket of a seaman, in the neat
apartment of the bleak house.
James Walker had that morning
gone TO the shore, but as old Andrew
who was 3 thorough sailor, remained
her guardian on the cliff, she expert
enced no terror for herself. In a cot
beside her slept her darling Willie,
whose NTH year had just been cele-
DRAFTED by the humble parents with no
small pomp.
"Therem she said, as she held up the
completed work. "Well done, and
just IN time" Is she heard a heavy step
on the stairs. "Gou are late to. night,
dear she continued, without looking
around, still busy adjusting the gar
ment.
mot too late to be welcome-though,
perhaps, not expected" said a grud
voice.
She turned in terror, and beheld-not
her husband, but one Luke Ridley-a
low, rutlianly fellow, who in early life
had been a sort of sutton for her hand.
Take no thought for Jim. He'll
sleep sound tonight, I'll warrant me-"
he continued, in a tone that froze her
blood. "Come in, Simpkins. And
now, sweetheart, you show us where
your husbands money is; but there's
no hurry, so first give us a bit of cold
meat or something"
The brute seated himself opposite to
her, regarding her with as inSolent a
lflVn o. his iNInyiaatAl f.att,-., .,r,ll
assume.
Janet was a brave woman; but her
heart failed her as she looked at
the pair of villains, especially as she
had herd old Andrews %retreating steps
and the wash of the boat as he left the
rock. Her safety, therefore, she saw
depended on her Own presence of
mind. With as steady a hand as she
could, she set before the ruflians the re-
mains of a meal, and to their repeated
threats, added a flash of spirits. One
thing she was thankful for-ttey had
not noticed Willie, whose small bed
stood in a sort of niche.
Watching her opportunity when the
spirits began to tell, she seized a fowl
ing-piece from the wall and fired at the
dark villain. Merciful powers, it miss
ed!
"Ha that's your game, is it," Ridley
cried, SprIuging up. "GOu shall pay
for that as he wrenched her into a
seat. ''SimpkinS, some rope here,
quick There, you Young vixen, We'll
take your husbands money, then come
up and settle with you. "l've not for
gotten hCw you Tilted mt six Years
ago
The heavy tramp OF the WORTHLESS was
SOOn heard descending the stairs.
Mamma and a bright golden
head was thrust out of its nook. WHAT
shall dO"s in u loud whisper.
Take my scissors, Willie, and Il
these ropes
In a moment her small ally had sew
cred the bonds. Waiting until she
heard the ruffians descend to the lowest
apartment, she caught up Willie and
hurried after them. For a moment
she paused; then with = swift light step,
she approached the t~rap-doOr. She
seized the heavy planks-they swung
over. In a moment it closed with a
loud snap.
Selling Willie, she hurried to the
rocks; but before she had descended,
size uCdIu lhc CIdou, IN WIN W.
they were again at liberty.
In the ledge, on which the light
house stood, were many IRE gularities,
amounting to small caves. Into one OF
these Janet thrust her boy, charging
him on no account to speak unless h
called him.
"But, dear mamma, this is the KEEL
lies nook" he said, abiding to a
Il additional ghOst-stOry of the neighbor-
hood.
"Never mind, dear; the Kelpie is not
at home" AS she spoke, she saw the
ruflians descending the ladder.
Where is this sea-dragon?' they
cried.
"We'u make her hard aud fast this
time, anyhow" =,
Their 0aths made her blood run cold,
but she continued to screen herself
until q beam Of moonlight discovered
her hiding-piace.
over with you," said Luke Ridley. 81
shall Law vol, my dear, on these stones,
with Your pretty head just above the
tide, for half an hour-nO more. You
see that white line there? Well, IN
half an hour that will flow over these
rocks"
In spite of her struggles she was soon
secured, while her tOrmentors retired TO
mend the only boat the Island al
fOrded.
scraps of their conversation reached
her ears.
az a V Simpkins, make haste mend
ing that boat! There is a revenue cut
ter somewhere hereabOut, and that
woman's bawling might have reached
them. We must be gone"
al can't make this old knife work.
said the other in n drawing tone.
Yes, there was q boat. Wouldit come
too late? The cold water had cached
Mamma, am so afraid the Kelpie
will come hemew and 8 white face was
thrust out, tn her terror,
"NO, Willie-no dear" she Whisper
dyes, mamma; and if he comes II
say you sent me-"
1.-THE water was just beyondher chin
"Willie ~
"Yes, mamma," came the whisper.
'There is a knife there; can you creep
She watched the little form, as it
wound along in the the shadow Oh tue
rock.
"Here, mammal.
In a moment she had directed him to
cut her arm free. Then, with q rapid
stroke she freed herself.
Creeping along the rocks, she reached
the ladder unperceiyed. Faint n
dizzy, she hurried up the lighthouse,
and o the bell swung its rapid peal,
while Willie cneered from q loophoie,
Mamma, boat coming! Bad men
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