Connecticut western news., 1883-10-24
VOL. XIII.
Evolves or no wolves, muttered Kate,

for an hour or so, then rigged himself out, leggings, buffalo coat, gun, and all. Rake worked away and said never word. He opened the door, and, without look ing back, remaked:
 "Pll be here by sunset"
 "See that you are," was the reply. eff you come here later the house will be empty"
 The wife watched his form across the clearing, and saw it disappear in the heavy timber which circled the cabin. She turned to her household duties, but had no heart for them. We'll she knew Rube Wexford would break his last promise, as he had broken others before it. If so, he must abide by the result. She was determined.
 The day went by at snail's pace, and the afternoon seemed never ending. Kate fondled the baby, listened to her crow and cry, and fed her dozen times. Then she prepared supper, and sunset came when it was completed. But it brought no Rube. Another hour and still he was absent. So the moments passed until the clock struck 10. The baby was fast asleep. Kate rose from 0 chair at the cradles side, look of firm determination on her face, and opening the cabin door, she peered across the clearing. Not a soul was visible. She closed the door, went to the chest, and took from it a pair of old fashioned skates, whose steel runners gleamed ill the tirelight. She laid them ready for use and proceeded to wrap herself as warmly as possible. Then she bundled the baby in the same manner, lifted her tenderly i'll her arms, and with the skates slung over her shoulder, started across the clearing. After reaching the timber she left the beaten path and made for the river It was coated heav- fly with ice, and the winds had blown it almost entirely free from snow, leaving nearly naked surface. Kate laid the baby down for a few moments while she fastened on her skates. Then she lifted her baby once more and started for Pineville, 15 miles away. The moon shone brightly, she was a wonderfully rapid skater, and she knew no slightest suspicion of fear.
 Rube Wexford sat near the warm fire which was surrounded by dozen men beside himself. He had been there for hours listening to anecdotes of hunters lives, even adding to the general fund with some of his own experiences, but though his companions coaxed and per suaded him, they could not prevail upon him to taste liquor. This was some thing so entirely new that many laugh and joke was had at his expense. He answered all persuasions to imbibe in the same way, saying only. "Not to- day, boys; not today"
 When sunset came he was still in his seat. He wanted to be at home, he wanted to keep his promise, but he thought he would wait awhile and start later, so as it would not look to Kate too much as if he were giving in. So think ing he went to quiet corner by him. self, and had not been there long before he fell asleep. It was eleven o'clock when he awoke with a start, and said hurriedly:
 "What is 1t, Kate?"
 A loud roar of laughter brought him to his senses, and rough voice cried:
 "Rube, guess you have been dream ing."
 "Yes,' he replied, foolishly; "I thought my wife was calling me-"
 He glanced at the clock and said:
 Boys, I must go."
 "Have something before you leave, J was the general cry.
 ''No, no; not tonight.
 Then he was gone. nis conscience | smote him as he trudged through the snow. It would be after o'clock when he reached home. One thing consoled him somewhat; he was sober But would Kate be ill the cabin when he returned : Of course, she must be. Nothing shor of madness could tempt her to keep the rash VOW she made in the morning. Se thought Rube. This was because ht was incapable of estimating the grea suffering which he had caused his wife
 On he went until through the stiffness of the night was borne to his ears tn, sound of falling waters. It proceeded from a spot which marked the half-wa,
 between Pineville and his own home and was caused by the river tumblin1
 down a steep descent of 15 or 20 feet o rugged rock. His road at this point la, close to the river bank, and soon he wa
 in full view of the cascade. As he passe, it he noticed with sort of shudder hoy col and dark the water looked as i
 tumbled down. For thirty feet abov the falls there was no ice. It broke o
 abruptly, and the current rushed fror
 beneath with terrible velocity. Beyon
 in the moonlight glistened an unbroke
 surface of clear ice for fully half mil before there was bend in the river , bank.
 The sight was an old one to Rube, an , he paid little heed to it, but stalked o silently, still thinking of Kate and wol
 dering would the cabin be tenantles Suddenly he stood stock still and lii tened. Many all ear would have heal nothing but the sound of rushing water F Rube's acute and practiced hearing d. | tected something more, and he felt il stinctively for his ammunition ar . looked to the priming of his rifle. The l from distance the sound came again l a peculiar cry, followed by another all s another, until they ended in chorus
 unearthly yells. Rube muttered