Omaha daily bee., 1888-09-02

the open air, with skin whittier than his
own. eyes of pansy blue, nose a perfect
Grecian, mouth small, lips full and
crimson, face bright with the intelli-
gence that tells of refined, wealthy and
educated parentage.
II am sorry, aunty," said she with a
swift, shy glance at the stranger, 'that
| kept you waiting supper, but" she
hesitated and whispered the rest of the
sentence.
"De good Lawd fergib him. Sick, and
mought die all ~erlone." and the old
woman rung her hands in pitiable con,
fusion.
He will die asserted the girl, sor-
rowfully, "and in such a placed"
"Horrerble horrerble!" and, turning
to Middleton, the negress entreated
him to go away.
81 shall do nothing of the kind, he
replied, d~ismounting, and realizing that
he had accidentally stumbled upon
an intirm old woman, and this child to
brave some unknown danger-to be
present at some unknown death. 1t
would be cruel and unmanly to do So
The negress still violently gestured
him to go away, and muttered unintelli-
gible words. From her long, dropping
lashes the girl studied his face for a
little time, then stepped boldly forward
LAID her little s~un-browned hand in his
and said, trustiugly:
Il am glad you have come. 1t is ter
rible to be alone in these mountains
with only" The rest of the thought
was not voiced, but her chances told
that she was sparing the feelings of her
old benefactress.
Her action decided the matter, and.
perhaps glad to have company and as
%sistance, the negress hurried to her
cabin, o o returned, and led the way
down into the valley, assembled upon the
opposite side, and at last stood before
an entrance as Of Il cave in the rocks.
The girl darted within, returned and
led Middleton forward, but not into the
depths of the mountain, as he had sup
posed. The rock vas a mere shell and
behind it stood a cabin builded of
heavy logs, with massive doors and evil
IDENTIFY framed to resist attack.
Now there was nothing to bar en-
trance. The last rays of the descend
ing sun streamed in unchecked, and an
other guest thar those who had toiled
up the steep path was coming, was very
near, could not be barred out, and to
mortals he was known as Death.
Upon a rude couch, covered with
skins OF animals. lay an old, very old
man, tall, emaciated, and yet with
nerves Of iron. His hair and beard
were as snow, his face wripkled, but
his eyes were burning with an uunat-
ural light and his lips and speech were
firm.
Sir" he said with almost courtly
manners and speech, ''you are the first
whose footsteps have entered here, save
those OF this blessed little girl and this
my good nurse. Who / am they know
not, and it matters not for the world to
know, for | have long been forgotten -
Without in the least attempting to
pry into your secrets, 7 will gladly do
anything to"
Smooth my way to the grave? The
cant of society,"" was interrupted harsh
~; Il never expected to hear it again.
But your face tells of an honest heart,
your eyes shine kindly and you have
not lived long enough to have the milk
OF humanity turned to gall. Thanks"
The last word was to the old negress
and child, who we're e~ndeavoring to
make him more comfortable, who held
a cup OF some nourishing and stimulat-
ing draught to his parched and fevered
lips.
This dear child" he resumed, "has
been TO me what an angel would be 10 a
fallen spirit. About three years since
accident threw her In my way-I was
the means Of saving her life. I never