West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-08-09


mel before long" he thought, as the dew
suflused the air with moisture and the
night birds began TO wheel about the
luNuriant branches of the old tree
But presently Zeruiah came out with
TN pan Of water and a platter of bones
to break Cgsar's fast.
rs II all right, Rueyl" said Mr.
brown, IN sort Of stage-whisper, from
the kitchen door.
"Ali right, sir" Zeruiah answered.
And then, in a lightning flash, as il
were, Hubert comprehended il ALL
lie was entrapped That weazen-
laced old woman and the malicious el6-
eriy uncle of his beloved were in league
TO oe his jailers. He whistled softly
to himself.
CAESAR, from below. left or crunchiug
his bones, and uttered deep, thunder.
Gus growl at the sound. From the dis-
tance, the echo of voices reached him
careless laughter and stray sentences here
aud there.
''It's Bolton and Ralph Weir, coming
back to the inn after their days shoot
ing" " he thought. ''If could only get
word 20 themln
He tore leaf from his pocket-book,
scribbled line or two on it as well as
he could in the uncertain dusk, and
wrapping it around his watch, flung it
as far as his aim could reach toward the
swamp.
MATTERS are getting serious, he said
TO himself.
But the missive had not been without
its use.
"Helom said Weir; ga shooting
star"
"a white birdw exclaimed Bolton,
checking his long, swinging stride. mo
it isn't, either-its watch with a let
ter wrapped around it."
And then, in the swampy fastnesses,
by the light of few matches, they de-
ciphered the cry for aid which had come
from the plum tree.
"Whew-w-w" said Weir. 'Tet's go
and shoot the dog"
Lets do nothing of the sort" said
Relton. "What would we-or poor old
Wynton, either--gain by declaring dI-
I re war in that sort Of wayl Let's be
polite. or nothing"
And he fired his rife three times in the
air, sort Of signal recognition of his
prisoned friend.
whats thati" said Mr.. Brown, who
was computing the interest ON promis
sorry note mt the sitting-room table by the
light of Kerosene lamp.
Il dunno" said Rue, "unless it's Dea-
con Hall shootin' wease.s in his hen
roost"
'Oh. Uncle Brown" cried Bella, with
clasped hands. 81 hope there are no
burglars around"
Never heard of such thing in all
Bean Hollow, my dear" said the old
man.
In the dead OF that same night, how
ever, two masked men appeared mysteri-
ously in Mr.. Browns bedroom.
your money or your life" said one.
"Miser, unhand your treasures ~ shout
ed the other.
Old Mr.. Brown lay quaking there,
quite helpless, when, in an instant a
1.-the form sprang through the open win
dow, balancing itself second on the
sill, and then hastened to the rescue,
A brief struggled ensued; but at last
the masked burglars fed precipitately.
Casar barking wildly at them, and
straining his chain TO the utmost, in his
efforts to wreak his vengeance upon
them.
Young fellow" cried the old man,
scrambling out Of bed, you've saved
my life, besides the government coupons
that were under my pillow. What can
do to reward your
Hey was very pale and trembled vio-
lently.
"I'd like something to eat, If you
please. sir" said Wynton. "To tell you
the truth, Pye just come out of the plum
tree"
eyes, know" said Brown, recover
ing himself a little. you're the fellow
that is in love with our Bella, amt
your
~ don't deny it, sir" said wynton,
boldly.
"Well. you deserve her. said Mr..
Brown land you shall have her. tt was
] that ordered the dog chained up to the
plum tree. / meant to balk you if /
could, but I've changed my mind.
should have been n dead man, Young
fellow, If il hadn't been for you. Come
right down stairs this moment. Moth
ing in this house is too good for youv'
And he wrung Wynton's hand until IL
seemed as If 1t were grasped in an iron
wise.
A strange midnight collation. It was
the coffee and cold fowl, the biscuits
and tongue, eaten with Bella nesting
close at his side, and Mr.. Brown heaping
al sorts Of indiscriminate daintics upon
his plate while old ZeTuiah's face glow
cred ont Of tho darkness Of the kitchen,
like badly-lighted polyopticon. But a
happy Onc--yes, very happy one.
Tho constabulary force Of Bean Hol-
low were promptly notified the next
morning, and a search instituted but to
no avail Nothing was ever heard OF
the two masked burglars.
But when Mr. Wynton came back to
the Bean Hollow Inn, the following day,
20 order his portmanteau removed TO the
Brown farm m-housc, and bid his late col
leagues adieu, he wrung Belton's hand
alternately with that Of Weir
81 don't krow how ! can ever thank
you, boys, said he "N0t for the res.
cue from a rather sorry pliQht-brute
force could have doro that with q blow
on tho dogs head but for tho manafr
Of it. I'm q great man now in old
Browns estimation and Bella thinks 7
am n hero. And it's ail owing 10 you. 4"
ooh, don't mention it, old fellow %
said Weir. How did you like me as a
first-class ruGianfD
-the-way." added Belton. Owe
burned the masks CirCumstantial evi
denco. you know. They might get us
into tronblc."
you'll invite us 20 the wedding. Of
III ~.