The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-04-29

InJOilIl.
"No.' replied the other. cit will be
cooler higher up. Let as make haste and
reach the shade Of the woods, and be-
yond there will be breeze blowing"
Suddenly, as they walked, David felt
that they were not alone, and turning
his head saw third person following a
| few PAGES behind them, an extremely
tall man, wrapped in black cloak. As
David turned the mans eyes looked into
his with steady, unfinching gaze. The
black robed figure was only short dis
lance behind him, walking with long,
even stride, without sound, his cloak
drawn up to his ears, covering his mouth
and chin.
AS David looked he shivered; then,
turning his head quickly, he walked rap
idly on, urging his companion to hasten.
But just now you were calling to me
to go slower, and now you want to
hurry"
eyes, let us hurry-the heatp And
they passed on, the ardent sun beating
ON their backs.
AS they went forward David turned
over in his thoughts the strange sight he
had seen behind them, that was behind
them now, he felt certain, though not
daring to look again, a SILVER coursing
the length of his spine at the thought of
the muffied figure in that fierce heat.
And John, had he also seen itp Did he
know what came swiftly, without sound,
at their heels? He looked cautiously
4. IL. L. - \
without turning his head even Slightly.
John plodded on, his eyes on the ground
and his big shoes white with the dust,
grumbling at the heat, his face dull and
expressionless.
At length they reached the cooler air
where the road climbed between the
arching trees of the forest, and John
halted to rest in the shadow. He was
older than his friend and tired more
| easily.
"Now," thought David, che will look
back and see" And he watched the
others face narrowly.
They sat on the edge of the road, their
legs hanging down the bank. Johns
gaze wandered back, down the long
stretch over which they had come, and
David waited.
But the old man only looked out from
the shadow with half smile of salts
faction that so much of the long journey
was over, his simple countenance placid
with the thought. Glow white the road
isl" he said
'And not many travellers ON it," said
David, in half question, still looking
earnestly at his comrades face.
mot a creature in sight, answered
John quietly. "We have the road to
ourselves Others are not such fools to
come out in this sum-"
David, treasured by this, turned
slowly and looked back. Just below, by
the first tree, in full view, silent, motion
less, stood the tall figure, little nearer
than before.
David leaped to his feet and ran along
the steep road, stumbling, terrified.
John saw nothing, and this creature 80
close, in plain view. "Hurry, hurryr' he
called back, and ran on.
what has come to you? Are you
crazyr" cried the old man. "One can't
pause to rest but you jump and rum"
IL am not--well. / want to get
home," painted David. "We have yet
far to go. We must not waste time
resting"
"You are sick. Yes, you are pale;
your teeth chatter. We will stop at old
Andrews and get you something 1t is
this scorching dayp'
eyes, yes we will stop at Old An
drew's. He will cure me. 1t is not far,
only beyond the next turn, where the
trees end"
"And we can take the short way home
from there, the path from the back of
his house, up THE Rocks"
Again they walked rapidly onward,
the old man full of concern for his friend,
the young man looking straight ahead
At the border of the forest the small
brown house stood ON the edge Of Old
Andrews scanty farmland, the poor,
half barren land of these mountain
farms. Beyond the few fields that
stretched up gradually from the back of
the house rose abruptly "The Rocks" q
high cliff, reaching far along the side Of
the mountain, sheer, forbidding, its bald
face crossed by a rough, narrow path
way. By using this steep way the jour
ney to the cluster of houses above the
cliff was made much shorter then by fol
lowing the gradual, winding ascent Of
the road.
The two friends turned in at old An
drew's little gate. At the door they
were met by the farmers wife, her
sleeves rolled up to the elbows.
"Ahi John Martin and Dave Back
from the fair? Come in"
Eyes, Mary, on the way home. Where
is Andrew? David here had turn on
the road coming along below, and we
want Andrew to mix him something.
The sun was too strong for him, think
Eyes, yes Andrew Andrew She
raised her voice and called into the
house over her shoulder. "Come in,
both Of You. He is somewhere about.
It is cool in the house at the shady side,
and Dave can lie down there"
David cast one brief glance backward
rs he followed the others into the house.
In the road lust beyond the gate. and