The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-11-08
POWDER FRANKS FOE.
BY ALBERT CECIL GAINES.

How the winds of Wilton howledl
Aud the lightning flashed luridly, the
thunder rolled like heavy artillery and
the rain fell in torrents.
Never had Wilton experienced such a
storm. 1t seemed almost second del
uge to the little gold camp in the Col
orado mountains.
Except for the frequent flashes of
lightning, tho night was dark as Ere
bus. Not a soul appeared to be abroad
but dim lights burning in the cabins
told that the inhabitants were snugly
housed therein.
All at once bolt of lightning de-
scended into the very midst of Hhe
cabins. followed by terrific peal of
thunder.
The cabin that was struck famed up,
but the heavy rain saved it serious con-
fagration.
The elements seemed to have sum-
moned all their unspent power for this
last display and destruction, and after
wards the lightning almost ceased and
the thunder became low muttering.
The rain, however, still fell.
From certain cabin man emerged,
wrapped snugly in a long dark coat of
rubber, and with his hat pulled low
over his eyes.
He was tall and strongly built, and
evid emily fearless, for he took his way
through the night and storm with no
sign of trepidation.
For score of yards he followed the
watery street, and then suddenly halted
at the door of tho cabin which had been
struck by tho lightning bolt.
H, did not pause to rap, but uncerc-
moniously entered the door and closed
it behind him.
BY tho light of the dim candle that
burned on the table, he saw youthful
| figure PROSTATE on the floor.
The man gave an audible exc,ama-
tion.
"Jupiterl Powder Frank must be
dead"
As if to dispute the assertion, the
young man, with slight convulsion,
regained his senses and sat up. But lie
was so dazed that he failed to recog
niz, the presence of the man in rubber
until the latter spoke.
What the matter, boy7'
my heaven y was the youths first
utterance. ''Flavia-I mean that was
close call. Is that you, Bonanza
| George2"
The visitor pushed back his drippin e
hat from his brow with murmur of
assent. The movement enabled the
light to shine on his face, revealing a
countenance white and unpleasant with
eyes that seemed unnaturally black.
In contrast to him was the supple
youth on the floor.
Powder Frank face was ruddy, open,
good -natured; his eyes. light blue,
were indicative of manhood and hon
esty.
"Are you sick7" Bonanza George in-
quired, but with no touch of sympathy
in his voice.
"No, was shocked by the light
ning," was the reply, as tho boy rubbed
his hands and limbs awkwardly. 'It
must have torn my cabin-Jerusalem,
yesl look therel'
The visitor gazed in the direction in
dicated, and saw that one corner of the
cabin had been torn to splinters and
half burned. Tho rain was falling
through the aperture.
'It's wonder l wasn't killed out
right" the youth went on. 'It was q
narrow escape. Great God that would
have ended my trip before it was be.
guDp
"Your trip wheref'
ITO Flavia, Il mean back home t.
Illinois"
At the second mad vertent mention o.
the feminine name, Bonanza George.
eyes Turned like living Goals for an in.
slant, but they were not observed by
Powder Frank.
| so its true, ss ] hoard last night