Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-09-29
an be back BY sunset"

''See that you are," was the reply. ''lf
you come here later the house will be
empty" ..iif .'H 90
The wife watched his form across the
clearing and saw it disappear in the heavy
timber which eneircled the cabin She
turned to her household duties, but had
no heart for them. Well she knew that
Rubc Wexford would break his last prom
Use, as he had broken others before it. Ii
so he must abide by the result. She was
determined. .lt.v
The day went by At q snail's pace, and
the afternoon seemed never ending, Kate
fondled the baby, listened to her crow and
cry, and fed her q dozen times. Then she
prepared supper, and sunset came when
it was completed. But It brought no
Rube. Another hour and still he vas alb
sent. So the moments passed untilthe
clock struck ten. The baby was fast
asleep Kate rose from chair ut tho
cradles side, look of firm determination
on her face, and opening the cabin door,
she peeped across the clearing. Not a so1i
was visible. She closed the door, went to
the chest, and took from II pair OF Old
fashioned skates, whose steel runners
cleaned in the frelight. She laid them
ready for use and proceeded 10 wrap her
self as warmly as possible. Then she
bundled the baby in the same manner,
lifted her tenderly in her arms, and with.
the skates slung over her shoulder started
across the clearing. After reaching tie.
timber she left the beaten path ana made
for the river. 1t was coated heavily with
ice, and the strong winds had blown il,
almost entirely free from snow, icaylnga
nearly level surface. Kate laid the baby
down for few moments, Willie SHE fas-
tened on her skates. Then she lifted her
baby once more and started for Pinevilie,
fifteen miles away. The moon ::shone
brightly, she was a wonderfully rapid
skater, and she knew not the slightest
suspicion Of fear. -G -a ..rH r. D.
Rube Wexford sat near the warm fire
which was surrounded by dozen men be-
side himself lie had been there four
hours listening TO anecdotes OF hunters
lives, even adding to the general fun with
some Of his own experience, but though
his companions coaXed and persuaded
they could not prevail upon him, to taste
LIQUOR. This was something so entirely
new that many laugh aud jest was had
at his expense. lie answered all perssua-
sions to imbibe IN the same way saying,
"Not to-day, boys, not to-day ,..... r,...
When sunset came he was still in his
seat He wanted to go home, wanted to
keep his promise, bnt he thought he would
waitawhile and start later, so that it would
not look to Kate too much as IL lac were
giving in. So thinking, he weat to aquiet
corner by himself, and had not been thero
long before he fell asleep- II was ii O'Clock
when he awoke with o start, and said hur-
riedly: &c.: Nur.'u Yi. H .'.t.- "'i
"What is it, Kate?" dIiu u...a'. l.I-
a loud roar of oflaughter brought him to
his senses, and arough voice crietiio 3ra..
"Rube, guess you've been dreaming''
eyes" he replied foolishly; 81 thought
my wife was calling me-" sl ...a ..o
lie glanced ut the clock and said: .rtr.
"Boys, | must co." ,'.,,... ...... .rtsI
"Haye something before you CO." was
the general cry. l.l ,.a.. .... ....'
"No, no; not tonight" ...,
Then he was gone. His conscience
smote him rs he trudged through the snow.
II would be two O'Clock when he got home,
One thing consoled him; lie was sober.
But would Kate be in the house when lie
returned? Ofcourse, she must be. Moth
ing short of madness could tempt her TO
keep her rash vow she made in the morn-
ing. SO thought Rube. This was because
le was incapable Of estimating the great
suffering which lie had caused his wife,
On he went until through the stiffness of
the night was borne TO his ears the sound
of falling waters. 1t proceeded from
spot WHICH marked the halfway botween
Pineyille aud his own home, and was
caused by the river tumblng down deep,
descent of I5 or 20 feet Of rugged rocks.
His road at that point lay close TO the riyer,
bank, and soon he was in full view OF the
cascade. AS hcpassed it Ire noticed with
a sort OF sludder how cold and dark the
water looked as 1t tumbied down. For 80
feet above the falls there was no ice. IL
broke ofsabruptly, and the current rushed
from beheath with terrible velocity. Be-
yond in the moonlight glistened All un-
broken surface Of clear ice for fully = mifc,
before there was bend ia the riyeT- The
sight was an old one to Rube, and he paid
no attention TO it, but stalked on silently,
still thinking Of Kate and wondering II
the cabin would DC tenautless- Suddenly
he stood still'and listened. Many On ear |
would have heard nothing but the sound
of rushing waters. Rube's acute aud
practical hearing detected something more
and he felt instinctively for his ammuni-
ton, and looked to the pTiiDing Of his rifle,
Then from adistance the sound care again
"a peculiar cry, followed by another and
another until they ended in chorus Of
unearthly yells. Rube muttere6 to him,
self one wOrd-wolves-and strained his
eyes in the direction OF the curve 20 the |
rivers edge. The cry proceeded from
that direction and grew louder every in
stant. Before he could decide on plan !
OF action there shot out from the bend In
the river what looked 10 him like awoman
carrying a bundle and skating for dear
life. she strained every nerve, bur never
once cried out. Next caine q wolf, fol-