The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-07-05

of lightning and rain, in these hills, is a terrible phenomenon 70 witness. ex- perienoed if once-there, your uncle is already hunying the others of. Let us go."
 As she spoke, the dark clouds were made fiery by bright tongue of flame which forked out in several directions, and was followed by tremendous crash and peal. All hurried of shouting to each other to come quickly.
 Peyton and Merle brought up the rear and the others were soon out of sight.
 As the winds began to whistle and roaI among the crags and peaks, and flash after flash of lightning, followed by crash upon crash of deafening thunder which seemed to be trying to level down the very mountains, Merle shrank closer and closer to her lover.
 Merle said Peyton, this is awful II is more than the stoutest heart can stand. The war of the elements are not like earthly dangers. am going to hitch the horses here, and we will take shelter in tha, recess you see down there" He pointed away below to one of those mountain chambers have described, and which he knew could be reached by a narrow path descending shither.
 She aid..nothing, but clung to him tremblingly, as he led her down the rug ged pathway.
 Arriving there, they found a cosy re- treat, indeed. It was chamber hollowed out in the mountain side, and which extended back about hundred feet, with several large holes on either side, be- heath huge boulders. Tons upon tons of guano told tha, it had been the re- treat of bats for centuries, perhaps. The peculiar and restless che, che, che " of these little winged curiosities could be heard on every side, as if impatient that the storm kept them in their retreat.
 A few feet in front was a chasm about fifty feet deep, across which a tree had fallen a hundred yards or SO above the cave. There was very steep path lead ing from the hollow, which could only be reached by beast capable of clinging to the rocks with sharp claws.
 It soon became very dark, and the rain began to descend in torrents, while the light and thunder seemed to increase.
 "oh. Peyton what will they think at home! It seems as if Providence were opposed to our marriage. What shall we do 2" and Merle burst into tears.
 Merle, my dear love, don't be super s,itious /; I'll assure you Providence has no hand in your fathers unreasonable opposition. And, as for this storm, it has not come for our benefit still, we are getting the full benefit of it."
 :" Oh, you are always being cheerful over gloomy appearances. am so glad. though, dear Peyton, that you are so sunny natured. But what will you say to papa. l-what's that!'
 A low growl attracted their attention In front of the cave. Merle nestled closer to Peyton, and he said he wished the storm had caught them out six months before. She kissed him quickly, but earnestly, and then silently pointed to- ward the steep path, and said:
 Listen '"
 He peered in that direction, waiting for flash. When it came, his hear: almost leaped to his throat. He made no re- mark, but his arm stole around Merle's waist quickly, and he pressed her to his side and pulled her behind a jutting rock. He then peered around.
 She suddenly became calm, and said ::
 "Peyton, tell me what it is? feel tha, there is danger, and am already less frightened. know you need me to be cool. What is it:'
 "Can you stand to see ?-to behold something that will make you shudder- your blood turn cold ?"
 My God. What can it be? Yes, let me see anything but suspense"
 Look ri h, down this wall, and wait for fiash--there. Did you see s'
 No need to ask. The tightening of her fingers on his arm told him she saw. Bat she was wonderfully calm.
 Why, my brave little Diana. did not know you were SO heroic"
 " A woman in danger is unlike man, p@ufnu CkA .-l