Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
POWDER FRANKS FOE.
BY ALBERT CECIL GAINES.

How the winds of Wilton howledi
 And the lightning flashed luridly, the thunder rolled like heavy artillery and the rain fell in torrents. Never had Wilton experienced such Q storm. It seemed almost second del- uge to the little gold camp in the Col orado mountains.
 Except for the frequent flashes of lightning, the night was dark as Ere bus. Not 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 the cabins, followed by terrific peal of thunder.
 The cabin that was struck famed up, but the heavy rain saved it serious con- fagration. The clements 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 a low muttering. The rain, however, still fell ~ From a certain cabin a 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 ently 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 the cabin which had been struck by the lightning bolt.
 He did not pause to rap, but uncere- moniously entered the door and closed it behind him.
 By the light of the dim candle that burned on the table, he saw youthful figure prostrate on the floor.
 The man gave an audible exclama- | tion.
 'Jupiterl Powder Frank must be i dead.n
 As if to dispute the assertion, the young man, with slight convulsion, regained 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.
 s'What's the matter, boy?'
 'My heaven l' was the youths first utterance. 'Fiavia-I mean that was close call. Is that you, Bonanzs Georgea"
 The visitor pushed back his drippin 2 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 sick?" Bonanza George in- quired, but with no touch of sympathy in his voice.
 ''No, was shocked by tho light ning," was the reply, as tho boy rubbed his hand and limbs awkwardly. 'T must have torn my cabin--Jerusalem yes! look therer'
 The visitor gazed in the direction i1- dicated, and saw that ono corner of the cabin had been torn to splinters and half burned. Tho rain was falling through the aperture.
 ''1ts wonder I wasn't killed out right" tho youth went on. 'It was narrow escape. Great God that woulo have ended my trip before it was be. gunw
 "Your trip where2'
 ''To FIavia, Il mean back home tt Illinois"
 At the second inadvertent mention O the feminine name, Bonanza George. eyes burned like living coals for an in stant, but they were not observed by Powder Frank. ] .'ee its true, aa l hsard last night