The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-12-20

ness in surgery will scarcely bear me
out here.
He crawled toward his hut slowly
and cautiously, stopping now and
then to rest. His dog, noble
looking setter otpurc breed, seemed
as distressed as his master. He came
back every few minutes to lick the
bermit's face and encourage him
during his tedious and painful pro-
oress toward the cabin.
All, Rollo! cried Lonely Sam
when, at length, they gained the
shelter of the hut, this is the worst
mishap we have encountered during
all our wanderings. If we survive
this calamity we may be tempted to
turn our backs on solitude.
Does the hermit look at all like
this?
The speaker was lovely woman.
Her rich dress OF red plush, her
ievelled hands and beautiful high
bred face had won for her the ad-
miration and sympathy Of the land.
lord of the well. nigh deserted noun
tain hotel.
This was a photograph of man
whose steadfast eyes looked calmly
at the hotel proprietor. His face
was clean shaved with the exception
of a long, heavy mustache. Mr..
Morse studied the portrait. Yes, he
said slowly; that's the man; but now
his face is mostly covered by thick
beard.
Then l shall need carriage i'm
mediately, the lady in red exclaimed
quickly. have been searching for
the original Of that portrait for three
years. A carriage, Mr.. Morse, and
tell them to make haste.
But, madame, if you mean to visit
Ionely'-I-I mean this gentleman,
| must tell you that no carriage OF
sleigh can get near his house.
Let them take me as near as pos
sible, and I'll walk the rest OF the
way, cried the lady impatiently.
Her commands were obeyed. Hel
maid had informed Mr.. Morse tha
her lovely and impcrious mistres:
was an English widow-a titled lady
of large fortune-and such visitol
is rare in the Catskill Mountains il
winter.
| Drive fast ! the lady said, whel
she was seated In the comfortable
sleigh. Drive fast-wait moment
1t is Christmas day. | want brandy
wine, and a nice cold dinner sent OIL
Immediately. I'll take it with M
for l shall go very quickly. M,
friend may not be prepared to re
ceive C mDany.
The things she named were put IL
the sleigh, and the driver, stlmu
lated by her impatience and his owI
hope of a reward, urged his horse t
do their best.
| Gilbert Arbuthnot, OF erwis
LONELY Sam," had succeeded /
crawling into his cabin. He lay uDo
the floor, near the fire and by din
of much exertion, he could succee
in throwing on wood from pi
near at hand.
When that is exhausted l sha
have to freeze, he said in a tone
resignation. I've heard Of dos
carrying messages, but that tas
seems beyond Rollo. | alway
thought you were as intelligent
your neighbor, old boy, but ye
have failed me this time.
He looked ruefully at the dog
whose collar he had attached a no
written on leaf of his pocket-boo
Rollo eyed mis- master pititully. +
knew he was unable to comprehel
Gilbert's wishes, and he realiz
that his master was in trouble. Wi
every wish to do his duty, the falt
full brute was helpless.
The day wore on. Arbuthnot b
gan to suffer the pangs of hung
and thirst. He dragged himself
his rough cupboard and managed
reach pitcher OF water and cru:
| My last Christmas dinner, he sal
as he once more returned to his u
easy place before the fire. Rath
an inglorious death to di'. By Il
way, | wonder if the bears al
wolves will find out | am helple
and make short work of me?
As dusk settled over the fore
cabin Rollo started up from an Il
happy, conscience smitten doze. t
growled savagely, and sprung to t
door which he soon scratched ope
All, there are my friends, the WI
beasts, coming to their Christm
dinner, said Lonely Sam" bitterl
as he sought to reach his rifle whl
stood in the corner. In vain. II
leg was too painful, it had swoll
enormously and ached with torturll
intensity.
!, Well, l may as well give up. HI
loo Was that a voice God SCI
some one to help me
A shout rang out. He answer
it with wild, appealing cry tt
! ended in a sob. The voice cal
! nearer, and as the dim light fail
! altogether form filled up the ru
y. doorway.
e You are ill Gilbert? inquired
if voice-surely woman from drea
n land.
Iya broLep nv, la, Who .