Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-14

t0uC stOtu sOAlc hIdBBtu III
thought. A feeling of oppression stole
over her, and she opened the outer door,
intending to breathe the freshness of the
crisp, snowy air. As she stood upon the
threshold strange sound startled her-a
grating, rasping noise. She looked quickly
in all directions. Nothing was to be seen
that could account for the sounds which
she felt were menacing. She closed the
door, shivering and trembling. Ashamed
of her nervousness. she again opened it,
and the sounds were repeated, more sharply
than before. She barred the door and
went back to Linn, and tried to forget her
alarm in assisting him in the arrange
ment of his treasures. She felt instinct
lively that it was not best to tell him.
Even then, heaven help her she did not
look to him for sympathy in anything be-
yond the material needs of life.
1t was about sunrise of the next morn
ing that Likim Barnum came home. His
mother gave her errant son a warm well
come, and soon set before him a steaming
breakfast He looked dispirited and weary,
and disposed of his meal hastily, as it
seemed more from habit than appetite.
As he ate, his mother related to him the
principal events of the wedding, and ex-
pressed her conviction that his absence had
been misinterpreted.
Likim threw up his head, and his dark
eyes blazed. They thought l wanted a
girl that didn't want me; and that |
sneaked away from seeing her married" he
said scornfully. " She shall know better,
anyway" He sprang up, unheeding his
mothers entreaties that he would take the
rest that he needed, took his gun, whistled
his dogs about him, and was off.
In the morning sunshine Lucinda Wes-
ton had half forgotten her fear. Sitting at
the breakfast table, neatly laid with the
dainty china, Sim remarked: "Likim
made himself scarce yesterday. Didn't
care to see me carry off his sweetheart
That was a good story about his sick
friend"
An angry reply rose to the brides lips,
but Just then they saw objects, indis-
tinct as yet, moving across the snow
in the direction of the house.
Both watched in silence, and they
soon saw that it was Likim Barnum, with
his pack of lanky hounds at his heels.
Surprise held them until his knock was
heard. Sim opened the door. His wife
seemed unable to speak.
| was away yesterday" said Likim,
with an unembarrassed smile, "but it
is not too late, l hope to bring my
good wishes to my old friend and
her husband. And l have brought
something too, for housekeeping" laying a
saddle of fine venison upon the table.
Even Sims cool selfshness was hardly
proof against this frank and pleasant spirit.
Talk flowed freely for few minutes,
Cindy having quite recovered her COM
posure.
81 hope that you left your friend better, y
she said
81 hope BETTER" said Likim, with simple
pathos, che died last night"
The terror of the night occurred to
Cindy, and she told Likim about it. He
listened grayely. He knew that she was
not subject to foolish fears.
Thought it was a ghost, l bet" said
Tim, with elephantine playfulness. a
would have put you out doors to hunt it.
if you had told me-"
Likim's eyes flashed He walked out
on the porch, followed by the bride and
groom. The hunter collected his dogs
about him, and seemed to make them
understand what was passing in his own
mind. The younger dogs went tearing
around in the snow, puppy fashion; but
the two veterans of the pack stood still
and raising their huge heads snuffed the
air. The others made circuit of the
house, at first aimlessly, but near the
| porch they struck Il scent, carrying THEN
noses close down, and emitting short
excited yelps The track led to the porch
and there they all stopped. Likim, gun
in hand, went to the opening under the
steps, and encouraged by their master, the
dogs rushed in. They were at fault.
The place was empty. But his quick
eye discerned that some animal had made
a lair in the shavings, piled there for fire
! kindling. One of the veterans, who had
but one ear and a scrap of tail left, came
close to his master with a low, whimper-
ing cry.
''See old Bose" said Likim, "he says as
plain as if he could talk it, that he don't
want any more painters himself, but if
do he'll be with me. He's never hankered
after the varmints, since he got chawed up
last spring"
Painters echoed Cindy, with white
lips Sim gave an incredulous snort.
They've got the trail now" said Likim
"Will you come and see for yourself?"
:" l haven't lost any painter myself" said
Sim, with drop of his heavy under lip
and won't go no FOOLS chase after one
either"
This was lost upon Likim, who was
striding after his dogs Sim took himself
off TO the store, and Cindy was glad to be
alone. Her reflections were not very
happy; but let us hope that the bitterness
was wholesome, and that by it she became
better woman.
1t was near noon, when her eyes
which had often been turned in that di
rection, saw Likim and his hounds again
approaching. As before, he had something
upon his shoulders. He came in, with hi
handsome dark eyes flashing with pride
and triumph. Unrolling large panther
skin, he laid it at her feet at will be {
warm carpet" he said lightly, for she wa:
pale and trembling, and unable to speak
" He wont grit his teeth at you any more
"Likim Barnum," said the girl, as soor
as her bitter weeping would let her speak
"you have heaped Goals of fire on my
head. l deserve your hatred, and this is
YOUR revenge"