Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-01-17


The full moon looked for Mary War
riners little house that night as soon as
a clearance of the sky permitted, and
then beamed down on her abode efful-
gently. But it was II o'clock before the
gusty wind blew the thick clouds aside
and let the orb illuminate Overlook.
Back of the shed in which the telegrapher
worked by day was structurc1n which
she slept at night 1t was built of slabs.
with big growing trees to form its ir-
regular corners. and their lowest limbs
contributed the rafters. while stripped
bark and evergreen boughs made the
roof. The foliage swayed above in the
fitful wind. and covered the cabin and
the grass around it with comming'iag,
separating, capering shadows of leaves,
as though multitude Of little black de-
mons were trying to get to the slunberer
within. Their antics looked spiteful and
angry at first. but "a the wind lessened
to breeze, and rs the moon seemed to
mollify them. they became frolicsome
without malice. and at length. when the
merest zephyrs irapelled their motions,
they gamboled lazilv. good huuioredly
above and around the couch OF May Mlre.
1t was midnight when man shot into
the open space around the cabin like II
missile He ran first to the front Of the
structure. where tarpaulin curtained
the shed for the night, and gazel for
moment blankly at this indication that
the hour was not ore Of business. IRE
mendous haste was denoted III his every
step and gesture He pluclsed twice at
the canvas as though TO pull it down.
Then he slslrried around to the single
window of Mary's apartment, whose
only door opened into the shed, and
pounded with his knuckles on the i'll
fitted sash, making it clatter loudly. ST.
lence within followed this noise without.
"Hellol Wake up" he cried. Don't
fool for a minute. Wake upr'
There was no response, and he skipped
to and fro in his impa.ience. He was an
ordinary shoveler and FOUNDER. with
nothing to distinguish him from the mass
OF manual laborers at Overlook. but un-
like the usual man with an errand at the
telegraph station fourished a scrap of
paper.
81 want to telegraph" he shouted, and
struck the window again. Get up,
quick! It's life and death!"
Mary Warriner was convinced that
her services were urgently and properly
required. She peeped warily out to in
spect the man, estimated him to be
merely u messenger, and then opened
wide the sash. which swung laterally on
hinges. Her delicate face bore the same
sort of calm that characterized it dur
ing business hours, but the moon shone
on it now. the hair had got loose from
the bondage OF knot and pin, and for an
outer garment she was carelessly en-
wrapped in II white, feecy blanket. The
man did not give her time to inquire
what was wanted.
you're the telegraph girl. amt your"
he exclaimed "Well. here's something
to telegraph. It's in hurry. hurry.
hurry. Don't lose minute"
II couldn't send it tonight" Mary
said.
"You must"
at isn't possible. There is nobody at
t.lc tlAi VI tl4N 44-4t W lNNti'c
The wire is private-belongs to the rail
road company-isn't operated except in
the daytime. You'll have to wait until
Tomorrow"
Tomorrow I'll be hundred years
old or else dead" the man almost wall.
ed in despair.
WHAT"
~ was only ten years old yesterday.
Tonight I'm sixty. To-morrowll be too
late Here-here-send it tonight, miss,
Please send it tonight"
The mystiiied girl mechanically took
the piece of paper which lie thrust into
her hands, but her eyes did not drop be-
fore they discovered the insanity in his
face. and when they did rest on the paper
they saw scrawl of hieroglyphics. II
was plain that this midnight visitor was
a maniac. Against Overlooks civil and
sane men Mary had entrenched herself
confidently behind herapatby. but with
in the round of the clock she had been
beset by agreeable sentiment, by violent
av.I 1xvs dali cin