The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-04-11
The aUieha Daily Eagle Saturday ornme april H. 1881.

|
The sun was too strong for him, think.
Eyes, yes. Andrew! Andrewl" She
raised her voice and called into The
house over her shoulder. "Come in
both of you. He is somewhere about
1t is cool in the house at the shady side
and Dave can lie down there"
David cast one brief glance backward
as he followed the others into the house.
In the road just beyond the gate, and
looking over it, stood the one that fol.
lowed
Old Andrew was held in high esteem
among the mountain people as half doc
tor, half wizard, with his knowledge of
| the use of roots and herbs. He brewed
a muddy, pungent tea which David
drank, and Mary, the wife, placed extra
plates at the table and insisted on the
travellers taking supper.
"Let David rest" she said, "and if he
is better after supper you can go home
in the evening by the short cut There
will be moon, or he may stay the night
if not strong enough to go home"
So it was arranged. Old Andrew and
John talked together of the simple, worn
subjects of their rude lives-the poverty
of the soil, the long season without rain,
the many hardships that befal the
farmer.
The wife piled David with questions
about the town. ''Was there big crowd
at the fair? And the weather-was it
fine every day? Did You see the cows
from the Duncan farm and so on. Da-
vid answered absently, thinking of the
waiting stranger outside the gate.
When the twilight fell the young man
felt able to go on, and was anxious to
reach his family, SO the two men set out
along the path through the rocky fields
AS they reached the base of ''The Rocks"
and began the steep ascent the moon
rose.
John led the way, stepping cautiously,
calling back to the other to avoid the I'M
certain footholds.
But David, climbing after, thought of
nothing but the somber shape that had
waited outside and had followed close
across the fields after them, and which
he felt climbed up and up behind him,
step for step.
There was no sound, except when at
intervals loose stone rolled down, dis
lodged by their feet. The night was beau
tiful, the broad faco of the cliff shone in
the moonlight Here and there along
the edge of the path, where there was
danger, rude ratings had been placed to
protect the traveller; these were silvered
by the moon. At some places rock
jutting out cast below it dense shadow
amid the surrounding wilderness.
As they climbed, David tried to force
himself to turn and face the man in the
black cloak, and question him, his name,
his mission, why he followed, gaining
step by step, but he lacked
courage Once he had met that cold,
steady gaze; he could not brave it again.
He watched his comrade climb above
him slowly. Slowly he climbed after,
and, glancing down, saw the edge of the
black cloak blown upward against his
legs.
He stopped and put his hands over his
eyes. who are you" he said in a low,
broken voice. "Why do You follow,
nearer and nearer"
And voice answered at his ear, while |
the folds of the cloak, blown upward, |
Tapped about him, "You shall know |
my name when you are at the end of |
your journey"
No, now" whispered David hoarsely.
'Now, your name!"
Further on!' came the voice. when
Tou reach the next railing"
And they climbed on again in the
John had gone round turn
If the path out of sight. David adj
7anced feebly, rising laboriously from
tep to step, pausing often. He could
eel the other pressing up behind him,
,ver nearer.
When they reached the railing above
David stopped, with his hand upon it.
Now, your name"
''Do you not know"
The moonlight fell with tender beauty
'ver the broad valley below, upon the
white road, upon the forest trees, upon
he small brown house at the foot of the
lift. The black cloak foated about his
read, before his eyes. coming between
hem and the fair picture. A hand fell
lpon his, grasping the railing.
your name-your namew
David's hand closed firmly on the
wooden rail, and he leaned heavily
gainst it for support; an arm closed
ound him.
y am so near-so near. Do you not
now"
There was sharp sound of breaking
vood as the rotten timber parted in two,
nd David fell outward, his struggling
eet scraping along the rock. AS he fell
be folds of black swept round him, the
rm embraced him more closely and they
Tent down together. And David knew
hat the one that followed was Death
'narles Edward Kinkead in Pittsburg
bulletin.