Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1888-11-16
POWDER FRANKS FOE.
BY ALBERT CECIL GAINES.

II W the winds Of Wilton howled!
AID the lightning fl ,shod luridly, the
thunder rolled like heavy artillery and
the rain fell in torrents.
N yer had Wilton experienced such a
storm. 1t seemed almost second del
uge to the little gold camp in the Col
oraio mountains.
Except for the frequent flashes Of
lightning, the night was dark as Ere.
bus. n a soul appeared to be abroad
but dim lights burning in the cabin,
told that the inhabitants were snurlv
housed therein.
All at once bolt of lightning de-
scended into the very midst OF tuu
cabins, followed by terrific peal of
thunder.
Tho cabin that was struck flmed up
but the heavy rain saved it serious con-
lagration.
The elements seemed to have sum-
moned al their uaspent power for this
last display and destruction, and after
wards the lightning almost ceased and
The thunder beclmo low mutteriug.
Tho rain, however, still fell.
From a certain cabin man emerged,
wrapped snugly in a long dark coat of
rubber, and with his hat pulled low
over his eyes.
lie was tall and strongly built, and
vi Iently fearless, Tor he took his way
throu h the nisht and storm with no
sign Of trcpldation.
For score of yards he followed tho
wAtcry street, and then sud lcnly halted
at the door OF the cabin which had been
struck by tho lightning bolt.
II did not pause to rap, lut uncore-
moniou5ly ente(ed tho door aud closed
it behind him
By the light OF the dim candle that
burned on the table, he saw youthful
figure PROSTATE on the floor.
The man CAV, an audible exclaml-
ton.
"Japiterl Fowler Frank must be
lead.
As if to dispute the assertion, the
you2g man, with slight coavu'sion,
rcgainod his senses and sat up But he
was so dazed that he failed to rccog-
niz the presence of the man in rubber
until the latter spoke.
What the matter, boy?
My heaven I" was the youths first
utterance. 'Favia-I mean that was
a close call. Is that you, Bonarz u
Georgel"
The visitor pushed back hi, dripping
hat from his brow with a murmur OF
assent. The movement enabled the
light to shine on His face, revealing a
countenanco 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, a li.ht blue,
were indicative Of manhood and hon
esty.
Are you sick2r 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 hand and limbs awkwardly. "It
must have torn my cabin-,Jeru,alem,
yesl look there!'
The visitor gazed in the direction IN
dicated, and saw that one corner of the
cabin had been torn to splinters and
half burned. The rain was falling
through the aperture.
'Ias wonder l want killed out
right, the youth won't on. 1T was a
narrow escape Great God that would
have ended my trip before it was be-
eunr
Your trip where1
To F.avia, i mean back home to
l linois."
At the second inadvertent mention OF
the feminine name, Bonanza George 5
eyes burned ike living coats for an in
,tant, but they were not observed by
Powder Frank.
80 its true, as ] heard last night,