The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-31

oUwn the valfey Almost az nxS Ess1ss ~a~f
elinging to the darkness Of The forrest. At
last, bruised and bleeding. painting for
breath, he staggered into n hstle ravtne
that echoed 20 the hrswfing music OF q
mountain brook. and crawling fsw yards
along this be came out on The road thai
crossed the stream ON two logs
Up the valley few wagering s&reakz OF
moonlight Ehons through the Ovexhangtng
foliage Beyond him, le~ thAn quarps-
of a mile distant, was the burnt cabin,
and there, behind the ruined framework,
the rnfiaRs were awaiting their within
Paul crouched behind = fallen trse Hfs
heart was beating vtolsntly. he had
chosen this spot Of ipterceptson for spe-
cial purpose. There was danger behind
and in front, but Just here lay ons chance
of safety, one avenue OF escape for this
foolhardy stranger.
Harkl the tramp OF hooks hoAted in hol-
low echoes down the valley He was eo<n-
ing now. Under cover Of his tree Paul
waited Up the road a dark shadow hissed
across the sr-eaks NJ moonlight, and - the
Eorse and rider tToeeed boldly down the
slope Paul slfppei n0iselessky forward and
grasped the bride.
Don't shoot. It's only me, Paul, you
know, - he whispered excdne43y, - the man
in sudden alarm drew shining object
from his breast Briefly the lad explained
the situation
Get OF the horse quick" he exclaimed
Give him = cut with the WHO and send
him on toward the cabin, - ehey'n think
you're s-cornsn' ThEn Pll SHOW yOa the
way over the mountain. Quick qutukl
They say you're government spy. They'll
shoot you, sure
The man hesitated moment, but asked
no questions. lie doubtless realized his
peril
he said Coma. ny hos. i win follow your
guidance"
He hecked the horse hginlyon the danks
with his whip, and ~ shs sAfmAI elateereS
over tho bridge Aad down tho mountain
road they tzrned up thu rzEine. So&rcsey
had the horse gained the opposite slope
when the tramp 81 heofs. cessed, ard then
came sharp, angry cry.
We're discovered, " cried Paul. ''thry've
found the horse, ard they know shis path.
too" be AAdsd wiah sndinn Alazzn; I'VE
may beat 'em vet. tbOogh; come on and
stick close 10 me
As they hurried mp The face Of the noun
y
path that the boy soagAs out, tho angry
cries OF the bafned pursDers grew more
and more distinct Not n word was spok-
en- until the ridge Of the moantain was
gained, Then Paul sank % the ground
| exhausted
He staggered quickly 70 his feet. how
ever, as a trampInE OF The uHiergrOvth
was heard only few yards beAOW.
tfrx - .H.4-s
| Follow the psEh down the otlrr side. It's
| open: you can't mss IL. TN take you 20
| Possum creek. There's n boat there and
the currents good "
The stranger pressed Paul s hand warmlr,
my name Ia James Ellis" he said. II
shall not forget you, my brave boy"
| There was nc time TO say more. He
/ glided silently over the crest and d.sap-
psared. His parsuers passed close 70 Pulls
/ hiding place.
The boy has done this. " said one Of
| them hercely. NO one else knew the
| path"
Then they, too, pressed on down tho
other sids. Trembling At every step. PAnI
! crept down into the valley
What would they do TO himl he won-
dered vaguely lie hmped painfully MP
spots and keeping in the shadow OF tho
trees.
As be circled round the tavern he could
hear the shutting OK feet upon the porch.
| He reached the rear u the house. All was
! dark aud quist. He gained the low roof
| from the limb Of convenient tree and
swung on 20 the window sill Wnh sigh
! Of relief he dressed. and getting into bel
covered himself with the clothes.
| Presently heavy footsteps were heard
below and hoarse, angry voices. then tia
| door opened and shut, and tramp, tramp,
tramp. came the tread % many feet up tho
sbaky staircase.
II tell you the boy is In bed sound
asleep" Paul heard his father aasert an
grily. and he had barely time TO close hts
eyes and feizn slsep when the doos vas
flung open and half a dozen rougs noun
tSineers entered
Thar" SAID Jonas Madden, what did
/ tell you fellcrs e' and he turned tha rays
of lantern on the little figure under tho
bed olOthes.
The men looked on without y word, and
then, with N uHh pretsnse OF caution. edged
back 20 the door
The idea ~ accusin' child like that. "
Jonas Madden went 90 Indignantly. ''You
fellers air too keerless, an nsebhe the man
WASH . = COVER rnsBt spY aftsr AL"
Then the door was closed, the hsavy
boots cIattsrod dowR the staircase and
Paul knew that be was ka4e
Two months later the revenue officers
descended upon RednAn' = Cave. The NOM
sinners. taken BY surprise. made no rcSiss-
znoo and all were captured
PsuI's stranger friend wa IA command
Of the party. soa TnindLuI 81 The brave lad
that had saved bis life JAMES Ellis 0dsr&d
immunity from arrest n Jonas MEddAa On
condition that h. move INTO the town and
engage Ia some honest buztnsss
And thus began nsvS and hAppfoy LIE
for PAul.--WlliAIn Murray Crnydon IN
Philadelphia Times