The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-12-06
Devoted to AgrlcuIturo, Hortlcuture, Domestic E

afternoon, the heat eeemed greater
than at apT previous hour of the day.
The mosphere glowed like furnace.
Huge black clouds were rolling up TO-
ward the zenith; there was low and
ominous rumbling. Through the thick
dust the perspiring pedestrian toiled
on. A hand-sachel was his only lug
gage, which he now carried undor his
arm. 1t had never once been out of
his possession since the commencement
Of his journey.
He met no person; he passed but one
house, which was remote from the high
way.
The storm suddenly burst forth. A
lurid glare of lightning shot from the
great bank of clouds in the west; thore
was terrific roll of thunder, and in
stantly the air was dark with delupe
OF rain. The wind rose and howled
dismally, driving great sheets of falling
water before it.
Wet through, unable to see the road
before him, terrified by the fury and
euddenness of the storm, Mason Bel
mont struggled on. He was unused to
such adventures; what to most men
would have been merely dsagreeable,
was to him positively alarming.
The storm seemed to increase in fury.
The distressed wayfarer marked by the
glare Of the lightning leafy oak some
distance ahead. He pressed on toward
1t for refuge, when stream of fire
smote the tree, splintering its stout
trunk, while q ball of fire danced along
the ground. The wayfarer was rooted
to the gound with terror. He tried to
to cry out; after repeated efforts he
succeeded in uttering a word.
"Hilloa!"
"Hilloa yoursclf!"
TO his surprise and delight, his cry
was Immediately answered. The next
CLEAN of lightning showed man stand
ing so near him that the fingers of his
outstretched arm would have touched
him.
CHAPTER Il.
A FRIEND IN MED
Ihe distressed traveller felt to the
iulI In that moment the wonderful re-
lief that comes from the fat of COM
in serious trouble.
"for Gods sake, sir" he cried. "help
mc in, somewhere, out OF this horrible
storm! You're stranger to me, but
IL you'll get me shelter right OF 1
wont mind Civ vngyou-giving you"
The offer came hard, even at such a
time OF sore need, for the speaker
loved money better than anything in
the world; bht with ON effort he said:
"lll give you five dollars"
Another flash of lightning briefly
disclosed the imen to each other 1t
was youth of about twenty who
shouted back against the roaring wind
WHO are you, and where arc you
bound?"
The explanation was given in few
words.
"Well," re;oined the youth, "you
can't get TO the village in this
storm. was on my way over to Tom
Bryson's when it broke out. That's
the nearest house to us now and
guess I'll take you there. Let me
carry your sachel, sir
MIR. Belmont refused to let 60 OF his
charge, but took the offered arm, and
the two slowly wended their way along
in the darkness and the storm. In the
brief conversation that was lossible,
the traveller learned that his companion
was named Edgar Van Wyck, and that
he was the only child of widow living
q short distance away on q cross-road.
Presently the two turned from the
highway into wide lane, and followed
1t some distance. The lane led through
o thick patch of woods, which entirely
hid the house they were approaching
from the road. AS they clea ed this
wood, they found that the fury of the
storm was over. The wind rapidly
went down, the rain ceased, and almost
q NJ ho1 orsc fla 10, ok
The guide at last paused before
house. "This is tho place" he said.
The light was ample, now, to permit
an examination of the exterior of the
1t was two-story frame
house OF considerable size, standing
broadside to the lane. In past years
the lane had been a pleasant drive
through the wood. Occupied once by
ssome wealthy proprietor, the house
had, through misfortune or other
change, been let for some years. It's
occupants had almost ruined it, and it
had been long since repairs were made.
There was no trace of paint outside,
many panes OF glass were IN ,ssing, and
Mt least one whole sash was broken in !;
q chimney had fallen, leaving but a
few ragged bricks aboye the roof, in
one end OF which was a large hole. 1t
was evidently the home of poverty; it
did not strikingly indicate hospitality.
This is the place." Edgar Van Wyck
repeated.
well leluS-sa-ip, them"
Tie youth hesitated.
Whats tho matter?" Mr.. Belmont
sharply asked. Il hope you haven't
brought me here on O fools errand."
"You can go in here, sir, or I'll show
you the way to the village"
"How far is it?"
Something more than o mile"
I'm wet as drowned rat, and all
tired out, body and mind, with expos
ure. II don't get myself dried right
away, ono of my rheumatic attacks wi
lay me up for a month amoLg you
Doors about here; then good. by to the
object Of my journey. Why did YOU
n Al a II A