Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-11-06


81 might have known it. ;" he muttered
"What am that | should hope to win
such a prize? A wanderer, an outcast
from my fellow-men, without home that
| might offer her. Fool, fool that | was to
have stayed here, when | might have
known that she whould have some
love among her own people. But what
right has he to interfere? Stay to see
him? Yes, snail stay, and | shall kill
him."
The spark of disappointed love had
fired all his passionate nature, and the
angry flames were darting forth, cOnsum-
ing all sense of ight and justice. He strobe
rapidly up and down, as if he would seek
relief from his torture in bodily exhaus-
ton. Suddenly he stopped short.
BAH" he exclaimed "a fine thing
this for man like NE to give up this way
To think that gentle tinid creature like
that should make me mad with pain! I
have but to say it is over and shall suffer
no more
But his will was weaker than his philos-
ophy and as he turned toward the house
something very like sob escayed hir-.
He retired weak and trembling. after his
struggle with himself, but il was not to
sleep. He was more calm, for his capac-
ity for suffering had exhausted itself,
and there was nothing but dull feeli55
of despair.
He tossed about in troubled. feverish
sleep until daylight, aid then rose and
strcde out into the open air The atmos-
| phere of the house seemed to stife him:
his old restless longing for an active life
was upon him again, and he must be NOV
ing. IF | had not promised her to see
| this man., he murmured, Il would 90
now, and be among the mountains once
more. Nature is the only thing that's true
after all. Yet why should | want to see
him? She would be disappointed and I'M
| happy, but am | not unhappy? I shall
60"
Nevertheless in spite of his determine
to the afternoon. The day was hotter
than any he had ever experienced. but he
did not mind the weather. The atmus-
| phere became more smoky until the sun
shown through it with a lurid glare.
Even the Spaniards felt FRUSTRATED by the
unusual heat, and Josefa glanced anxious
| y toward the mouth Of the canyon though
which the trail wound by which Manuel
was to return. He had gone across the
mountains with herd of cattle, his only
companion being Mexican vaquero, and
| he had been expected to reach home this
morning, but still he did not come.
suddenly, a low, distant rumbling was
| heard, and a sound as of strong wind
| blowing through the trees. The rumb-
| ling increased IN volume, and the earth
began to sway with a sharp, quick motion
| thai seemed to increase in force with each
movement.
lei temblor!" exclaimed Josefa, spring
ing forward with banched cheeks. And
Manuel is in the canyon. Hewill be kill
ed, he will be killed.
The few horses that were near the house
were running wildly to and fro, and the
cattle believing, adding to the confusion
of the moment. Josefa rushed forward
and, securing her favorite horse was on
his back and speeding toward the canyon
in a moment. Eespite his nervous and ex-
cited condition, the trapper rose and
followed her as fast as he could, but as the
trail In the canyon was difficult for the
horse, owing to the loosened powders that
had lodged across it and broken - away In
pieces he overlook her before she had gone
far.
You must not come here" he cried.
The earthquake has loosened these bowl
deIs and has cracked the trail, so that it
may give way with you at any moment.
Go back, and if Manuel is in the canyon
will find him and bring him safely to
you.
No, | must come" she said briefly,
and on they went up the trail They had
not gone far when they came upon the OBJ
ject of their search Manuel was ivino
in the trail beneath an immense bowder
which, wedged between the bank and a
small tree on the outer edge Of the trail.
rested upon his legs 50 that he could not
move, though his arms and body was
free.
Although he was not badly hurt, his DO
sltlon was a precarious ole for the bowld-
er IN striking the tree had loosened the
roots, and the whole trail at that point
was likel y to give away at any moment,
plunging him thousand feet down the
preclplce.
Keeping Josefa back from the danger
Gus point, he examined the situation
thoroughly, and then shook his head
graveiy.
There is but one way" he muttared to
himself. and any way it will pay my
! debt. A life for d life is fair turnabout -
Then addressing Manuel he said When
tell you, push upward with your hand on
the bowlder, and crowd yourself as close to
the inner wall as you can. Do you under
stand?''
Yes answered Manuel.
Stepping carefully over the crumbled
earth he caught the SMALL tree, and pick
ed his way out until he stood over the preci-
pice.
Nov push with all your might" he
cried and giving himself violent swing
outward he threw all his weight upon the
tree. 1t trembled a moment, and then
the roots tore themselves loose, and tree,
bowlder. and man went crashing down the
preclplce.
Jnsefa, who had gone back around
bend in the trail, heard the crash, and
piping forward saw Manuel lying upon
ste edge Of the trail, released from the
wider but still lying upon the crumbl
ing earth.
With a glad cry she rushed forward and
helped him out of his peril. Then she
looked around for his preserver. He was
nowhere to be seen.
All he has gone, she said. He said
he would go when you came. and he has
run away from US. But | have you now,
Manuel and | am so happy Then with
little shudder, as she looked over the edge
of the trail at the seemingly bottomle@s
! abyss, suppose you had gone over there.
| Manuel. 1t would have been horrible -
ii. Elton Smith in Overland Monthly.
CHILDREN MUST WAIT
But Great Wealth viii he Theirs f.v and