The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-07-05

chasm on iha, tree, and then try and push the end of the opposite side.
 As they got to the foot of the log, Fey ton was stunned by a peal of thunder that seemed 10 have tom up the very mountains, and Merle staggered and fell.
 My darling" said Peyton, this will kill you. Stay here, and I'll fight the beast and we'll go back in the cave. With the aid of my knife and of the rocks here, and the Providence you be- iieve in, can vanquish him."
 Never. Come to the log. will cross. See. God will help us, know. "
 She go; on her hands and knees, and was over the dark abyss in a moment. Peyton followed quickly, when a sudden flash, brighter than any yet seen, showed them the infuriated beast following: and Peyton clutched Merle with one hand and held to tree with the other, ne, too soon either.
 They seemed 10 be surrounded by a flame of white fire there vas a crash, a roar, trembling of the whole range of mountains, it seemed, and shiversd rocks flew all around them.
 The glimpse they had told them the cave they had just left was all torn, and shattered, and crumhled.
 "God be praised, for such a miracu- lous deliverance exclaimed Merle. "That lion was surely sent 10 deliver us, instead of to devour us, Peyton."
 "Yes: and that lightning was also sent to save us darling"
 How SO :''
 Why, look" A fash showed her the huge beast, every bone broken by the electric fluid, lying a few yards from them.
 The lion was sent 10 drive us from danger of lightning, and then lightning came in time to save US from the lion, 1" said Peyton. |" Now what intention has your providence towards us, Miss Theo- logue!' He led her back again and she nestled in his arms and answered:
 "l'1l admi, ,ha, was short-sigh,ed that ,ime'
 The last flash seemed to exhaust the storm. Day began to peep out and ,Le thoroughly wet and perfectly happy lovers went to the buggy and prepared to go home.
 "Voices suddenly rang ou, loud Who-o-pe-e-e."
 With glad heart Merle joined her soft voice in Peyton's s,en,orian answer. It proved to be Merle's father and uncle with party of friends.
 Old Colonel Mcdonnell had become uneasy about Merle and had gone to his brothers to inquire for her.
 The coming of the old gentleman through the storm had nearly run Merle's uncle distracted, as he and her aunt and cousins thought her at home and they had all started te search with no hope of seeing her alive.
 The joy at finding them was lndescrib- able. The colonel held out his arms and exclaimed:
 " My child, Thank God, you are both safem
 The friends gathered around, and shook hands with Peyton and Merle, and she said through her tears of happiness |:
 "Oh. papa, such night! know you will not object to having him come and see me, when you learn how Providence sends the wild beasts and the ightnings to protec, us."
 Everyone laughed at this, and Colonel Mcdonnell said
 Aye; he can come to see you as much as he pleases-he can stay, when he comes, too.'
 And so he did, in a few weeks, for Merle was her fathers housekeeper since her mother died; and her father gave them the house, and he "lived with them"
 In the drawing-room now is fine oil painting of large Mexican lion. The old colonel says it is his ooat.of-arr,s for, he says, he owes his last great hap piness on earth 10 his children being Saved by Mexican Lion.