The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-01-08
CARRISTON'S GIFT.
The Story Of an Occult and Mys-
terious Power.
The Danger to Which Its Possessor Wa
Subject. and How It Was Used to
Discover the Lost-Evu Machl-
nations Thwarted.
Bp Hugh Contrary, Author Of Ozark Daw, "
Called Back" etc.
PART H.-CoNrtNuED.

Id TACT, had always prided myself upon
remembering any road once driven over
by me: but does AM one who has not
tried it really know how a heavy fall of
snow changes the aspect Of the country.
and makes landmarks snares and delu-
sions? learnt all about it then. once
and for all. / found, also. the snow Law
much deeper than l thought could posi-
bly, be in SO short a time. and it still fell
in a manner almost binding. Yet
went on bravely and merrily for some
miles. Then came bit Of uncertain
ty-
Which OF those two roads was the
right one? This one, of coursc-nO,
the other. There was no house near:
TO one was likely to be passing in such
weather. SO was left to exercise nv
free, unbiased choicc-a privilege !
would willingly have dispensed with
However, made the best selection ]
could, and followed it for some two
miles. Then I began to grow doubtful.
and soon persuading myself that was
on the wrong track. retraced my steps.
/ was by this time something like
huge white plaster-of-Paris figure, and
the snow which had accumulated on the
old dog-cart made it heavier by half a
ton, more or less. BY the time / came
TO that unlucky juncture of roads at
which my misfortunes began, it was al
most dark; the sky as black as Il tar
pauii0. yet sending down the white
feathery flakes thicker and faster than
ever. felt inclined to curse my folly
in attempting such drive. at any rate
/ blamed myself for not having started
two or three hours earlier. I'll warrant
that steadygoing old Brand never had
to accuse himself of such tOolishness as
mine.
Well, took the other road: went on
some way: came to a turning VIII 'ch |
seemed TO remember, and, not without
misgivings, followed it. My misgiv-
ings increased when. after little
while. / found the road grew full of
ruts, which the snow and the darkness
quite concealed from me until the
wheels got into them. Evidently was
wrong again. was Just thinking Of
making the best of nv way out of this
rough and unfrequented road. when
there. don't know how it happened,
such Things seldom occur to me-a
stumble, fall on the part of my tired
horse sent me flying over the DASH
board. with the only consoling thought
that the relns were still in my hand.
Luckily, the snow had made the fall
ing pretty soft. / soon picked myself
up and SET about estimating damages.
With some difficulty got the horse out
OF the harness and then felt free to
inspect the doy-cart. Alas! after the
manner of the twO-w heeled kind when
ever g horse thinks fit to fall, one shaft
had snapped off like carrot; SO here
Wa, !. tive miles apparently from any
where, in the thick of a binding snow
storm. left standing helpless bes de a
Jaded horse and broken CART
should like to know what Brand would
have done under the circumstances.
As for me. l reflected for some min
weary work. reasoned. l believe,
logically. ard at last came to this de-
c:sion: would follow the road. If, as
/ suspected. it was but cart track. it
would probably soon lead to habita-
ton of some kind. Anyway. had
better try a bit farther. l took hold
of the wearied horse. and, with snow
under my feet, Snow-flakes whirlinC
round me. and wind blowing right
into my teeth, struggled on.
1t was journey! I think I must
have been three-guarters of an hour
going about a quarter of a mile. l was
just beginning to despair. when saw
a welcome CLEAN of light. 1 steered
toward it, fondly hoping that my
troubles were at an end. / found the
light stole through the ill-fitting win
dow-shutters of what seemed. so far as
/ could make out in the darkness. to be
a small farmhouse. Tying to gate
the knotted reins by which had been
leading the horse. / staggered up to the
door and knocked loudly. Upon my
honor, until l leant against that door
post / had nc idea how tired l was
until that moment ! never suspected
that the finding of speedy shelter
meant absolutely saving my life. Cow
cred from head to foot with snow. my
hat crushed in, must have been IA
pitiable object.
No answer came to my summons. 1t
was only after a second and more i'm
peratiye application OF my heel that
the door deigned to give way few
inches. Through the aperture a
woman's voice asked who was there.
Let me in said. Il have missed |
my way to Midcombe. My horse has
fallen. You must give me shelter for
the night. Open the door, and let me
in"
..Shelter! You can't get sheltered
here, Mister" said mans gruff voice. |
This amt an inn. SO you'd best be of.
and 60 elsewhere"
but l must come in." said. as
founded at such inhospitality; I can't
go step farther. Open the door at
oncer'
lyon be cursed said the man. |
lis my house. not yours"
'.But. you fool, mean to paw you |
well for your trouble. Don't you know
it means d, ath wandering about on |
such night as this? Let me in!''
.'You won't come in here" was the /
brutal and boorish reply. The door
closed.
That 1 was enraged at such incivility |
may be easily imagined; but if said /
was thoroughly frightened, believe no |
one would be surprised. As getting
into that house meant simply life or
death to me, into that house deter
mined to get. by door or window, by
fair means or by foul So, as the door
closed, l hurled myself against it with
all the might could muster. Although
ride much heavier now than / did
then, all my weight at that time was
bone and muscle. The violence of my
attack tore from the Intel the staple
which held the chain: the door went