The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-05-24


 I will be back by supper ,ims..
 If you kill bear?"
 "Or if l don't kill one. No use to arg ue with me, for I'm going"
 There really was no use, for, few mo- ments later l stood in the doorway and watched John until he disappeared down the valley. went down to the stream but could not fish, for vague dread had settled on my mind. knew that such forebodings as indulged were foolish, but could not help it. The cry of every bird startled me, and when l went back and entered the cabin, such an appalling, indescribable fear crept over me, that went out and sat under a tree. The at. mosphere grew sultry, and thunder rum- bled behind the great mountain tops. Lightning glimmered afar of behind a dark mass of clouds that seemed to be a black patch over an angry eye. Nearer cane the thunder until 1t jared the ground, and nearer came the lightning until it flashed around me. Then the rain began to descend in torrents, driving me back into the lonely cabin. l built up fire 10 drive away the gloom. and while sat, trying to find solace in my pipe, heard wild laugh outside and then there came rap at the door, and without word of greeting, horrible old woman. shivering from head to foot, en- tered and crouched down by the fire.
 Who are you!' asked in alarm.
 She made no reply but rocking herself to and fro, hummed and mumbled a wierd tune.
 Cant you speak," demanded.
 V-o-o," she shivered and drew an old black shawl closer around her shriveled body.
 Where do you liye?"
 Tn the hollow. far under the hollow, way back in the hollow of the mountain rock, where the owls do roost and the bats do come-in the hole of the mountain rock"
 What do you want here!'
 "To sit by the fire when the wind blows hard. when the lightning's flash and the rain drops fall.'
 Leave here..' cried, you are wi,ch.'
 She turned her face upward. Horrible. A hole had been cut in her lip, and through the incision a snaggle tooth pro- truded.
 Ii will go when my time does come Now he's under tree. The horse IS scared and wolf turks up on the side of the hill"
 Who's under tree ?"
 "A tall fair man with hair so beautiful for dabbling in blood"
 Witch what do you mean:'
 "More wolves come. The rlder is thrown. Upon him they spring and his beautiful hair IS dabbled in blood. See" and taking from her mouth something that looked like a bean. she threw it into :he ire The place was Ii, up with lurid glare, and away off in the sulphurous flame, l saw tree. She threw in another bean, and saw John. on his horse, stop under he tree. Then saw wolves. Heavens he horse threw John, and the wolves 'prang upon him. could wait b see 10 more, but springing from the house, I -an, knew not whither. The storm had ceased and the sun was shining. Recov- ,ring some ot ny lost composure. I urned into the valley and proceeded in he direction of the place where John had had not gone fa. when I 'aw our horse dashing toward me. ,ecurei him after much difficulty, and lllowins him to choose his own direction, | irged him onward. For miles we trav- filed. Suddenly. the horse turned aside, ! md approached a tree. Horrible sight ohn lay on the ground, dead, his beau iful hair dahbled in blood. His flesh ! lad been torn by the wolves. could | ,ot remove the body, so buried il there inder the tree.
 H--s s--a