Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-02-14
Powder Franks Foe.
BY ALBERT CECIL GAINES.

And the lightning flashed luridly, the
thunder rolled like heavy artillery, and
the rain fell in torrents.
Never had Wilton experienced such
storm. 1t seemed almost second
deluge TO the little gold camp in the
Colorado mountains.
Except for the frequent flash OF light
ming, the night was as dark as Ercbus.
Not soul appeared to be abroad, but
dim lights burning III the cabins told
that the inhabitants were snugly hous-
ed therein.
All at once bolt OF lightning de-
seconded into the very midst OF the
cabins, followed by a terrific peal of
thunder.
The cabin that was struck famed up,
but the heavy rain saved its serious
confagration.
The elements seemed TO have sum-
moned all their unspent power for this
last display and destruction, and after
wards the lightning almosS ceased and
the thunder became low muttering.
The rain, however, still fell.
From certain cabin a man emerged,
wrapped snugly in long dark coat of
rubber, and with his hat pulled over
his eyes.
He was tall and strongly built, and
evidently fearless, for he took his way
through the night and the 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
il behind him.
BY the light OF the dim candle that
burned on the table, he saw youthful
| figure PROSTATE on the floor.
| The man gave an audible exclama-
| ton.
Jupiter! Powder Frank must be
dead"
AS if 10 dispute the assertion, the
young man, with slight cOnvulsion,
regained his senses and sat up. But he
was so dazed that he failed to recognize
the presence Of the man in rubber, I'M
: till the latter spoke.
whats the matter boy?"
my heavenm was the youths first
utterance. "Flavia-I mean-that was
"a close call. Is that you, Bonanza
! George?n
The visitor pushed back his dripping
hat from his brow with a murmur of
assent, the movement enabled the light
I to shine on his face revealing a coun-
I tenance white and unpleasant, with
eyes unnaturally black.
In contrast to him was the supple
! youth upon the floor.
Powder Franks face was rudy, open,
! good-natured his eyes, n light blue,
/ were Indicative Of manhood and honesty.
Are you sick?" Bonanza George
inquired, with touch of sympathy in
his voice.
mo, L was shocked by the light
ming" was the reply, as the boy rubbed
his hands and limbs awkwardly. 1t
must have torn my cabin-Jerusalem
yes! look there!'
The visitor gazed in the direction in
Dictated. and saw that one corner of the
cabin had been torn to splinters and
half burned. The rain was falling
through the aperture.
''It's n wonder / wasn't killed out
right" the youth went on. 1T was a
narrow escape. Great God! that
would have ended my trip before it was
begunm
Your trip whereof
"To Flavia,-I mean back home to
Illinois"
At the second inadvertcnt mention of
the feminine name. Bonanza Georges
eyes burned like living Goals for an in
slant, but they were not observed by
! Powder Frank.
$50 it's true, as heard last night,
that you are going away from here?"
the visitor resumed.
Yes"
'Made your pile, supposed"
'Well, I'm satisfied, I've got al
most as much as | came for. I've
worked my claim out, and | shall not
hunt another. l mean 10 go home and
engage in other business, though | re-
greet to leave my good friends here.
You've not been here long, Bonanza
George, so you don't know how kind
they have been TO me. They nursed me
through sickness once.n
"Been here good while, haven't
your"
Two years. You may imagine Pm
anxious to get back home. never
would have left, but this field promised
more and quicker returns. You see, /
had to have money"
ITO get married on?"
Powder Frank flushed.
II may be allowed TO build home
for a certain girl when | get back.
Come, Bonanza George, don't tease me.
Take a seat there"
But Bonanza George remained stand
ing, looking down at the boy with an
unfathomable expression.