The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-08-03
THE GOLDEN CROSS.

most tht3iy populated quarters OF q
southern state.
lie was in the heart of a dense wood,
and not far from u deadly and PREACHER
Gus swamp. TO lie down to rest would
have been simply suicide; yet he was
worn with fatigue and no habitation APP
peared in sight. D~ismounting, he led his
horse by the bride and tried in vain to
discover by the sense of touch the road
he should follow.
~ must find some shelter for the
night" he said. "Ihe people hereabout
have not II very good reputation; bat |
am moi afraid of men, and | do not fear
swamp fever and scorpions. I'll call;
there may be some one within hearing"
On this he sent up n shout that proved
his lungs to be in good condition, and fol-
lowed it by another and another. After
this third he paused and listened. A
faint "hallo; seemed to echo his, and in a
moment more there appeared among the
trees the figure of an old man who held a
lantern in one hand and shaded his eyes
with the other.
''Who is that" cried the p%ersonage;
zone of the boys"
"A stranger said the traveller. 'Fm
lost in this COMPOUNDED place. Can you
tell me where | can get shelter"
"Who are you and where do you come
from,"
II came from farther north; travelling
on business; my name is Hogan. | can
paw for anything ! ask, and shall be
thankful, too" q
"All right. Come along. My house
amt far eff" And turning he tottered
away into the darkness.
The traveller put his hand upon the pis-
tol at his belt and followed him. A few
steps forward, and amid IL dense mass of
foliage they made their vay to the door
of a hut. Within, a fire burnt upon n
rude hearth. Over it Il girl croached, idly
looking into the embers.
chats my darter, said the old man.
"We're all alone here, and it's a poor
place, and you're welcome. Walk in; I'll
see your horse is cared for"
The girl looked up sharply, and looked
down again with Il flush on her face. The
old man drew a broken chair toward the
blaze and lit a pine torch.
"a fire is comfortable these damp
nights if it is warm" he said. make
some coffee and an ash-cake for us, Nan
ME. The eentleman's hungry, no
doubt"
81 confess I am, . said Hogan, takingthe
proffered chair. Anu | do not know what
Ishould have done tonight without your
hospitality"
Meanwhile, the girl, n handsome crea-
ture of seventeen, lazily prepared a meal.
She moved slowly, but she did not do her
work badly. The coffee smelt well, and
the ash-cake was brown.
When it was done she sat apart and
watched the men as they ate, and listened
to the old mans questions and the strang-
er's W
Afterward she spread upon the floor a
bed of straw and a blanket, and glided
out of the room.
g hope you'll sleep well, y said the old
man. Good night, sir"
Good night said Hogan, but he
thought al the same time:
You seem to be a very hospitable old
gentleman, but you have the face of a
rascal"
Throwing off his coat he stretched him
self upon the bed, and in five minutes
found himself fast sinking into slumber.
The pine torch tlickered on the wall, the
embers died out in the CRATE, when sud
denly a hand rested on his arm and n
voice whispered in his ear;
stranger, I've got something to tell
you"
Hogan started up. The girl knelt be-
side him with her finger on her lip.
Get up" she said, land put on your
coat. The sooner you are off the better.
The old man lied when he said was his
daughter; he has gone for the boys. He
said to me Just now, I've found ont his
business. He must have plenty of money
with him. and l know whot he means.
There will be four of them here in haitian
hour, and you are Il dead man if you don't
go now"
Hogan started TO his feet. Stitched in
his belt were several thousand dollars.
and he remembered that he had chartered
away almost indiscreetly, fancying the
old mar would know no more than he
chose to tell.
I'm a fool, - he muttcrcd, starting to
his feet. This is no silly Jest, girl?"
Gods truth" said the girl. ''Pve seen
sights that would make you move faster
than you're doing now il you had seen
them. There-set your horse and come.
I'll show you which way to take. They'll
kill me if they suspect me; but l reckon
III ward them or. Come"
As in a dream Hogan followed her.
She led him by the hand through thick
woods until they c}me II u wiic opening.
Mount, - she SAID, and ride that way.
Make all the speed you can. I've done
all | can to save your life, lack Hogan"
God bless you,n said he. You know
my name, / see If the time should ever
come when | can do as much for you l
will"
Perhaps She said d%ouhtfnlly.
"You have saved my life, ehildtn he
said as he mounted his horse. 1T isa
debt a man don't forget in a hurry. Lis
ten; | swear that If | can ever do any
thing for you | will swear on this"
He drew Il little golden cross from his
breast and kissed it. Keep it to remind
me OF the oath II | should forget it" he
said, and pat it into her hand. Then, as
MAJ rides for his life, he rode away and
reached his destination in safety.
Two years from that night Captain
Jack Hogan sat alone in his tent writing
letter home. There was some one mt
home who waited for these letters anx-
iously, and who wore them fondly in her
bosom. Thoughts Of her softened the
soldiers heart Glad, indeed, would he
have been to leave war aud all its cruel
scenes for home and peace-home and
her. Half the sentence in which he told
her so was written, when his servants
voice sounded in his ear.
beg pardon. captain. There's a girl
outside. Can she see you?'i
"A girlr' said the captain. Yes, send
her in. Some poor, starving creature, l
suppose for orders for rations."