Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-06-17

me when they disappeared among the
trees. Lu looked solemn, and Mag
drew II long breath that was shocking
ly like whistle; then they both took
few steps of a hornpipe, to Jim's in
tense delight, who softly patted an ac-
compartment.
The day passed pleasantly enough,
but we felt awfully alone when
we sought our hammocks for the
night. But our sleep was sweet and
sound, and we ate our breakfast next
morning with accustomed appetites.
That day we. spent pressing and ar
ranging an accumulation of treasures,
that we had collected.
About four o'clock we started for a
walk, Jim had gone fishing, but we
did not hesitate to leave the tents
alone.
They were pitched on the grassy
banks Of noisy mountain brook.
Behind, and extending up the noun
tain side, was a heavy growth of
timber, and the ground was rugged
and broken all about. Opposite, was
the valley. almost inaccessible, so we
felt very secure from interruption.
Under the circumstances, you can
imagine my surprise when Lu came
running back to meet me, having dis
covered the body of a dead man."
she said lying at the foot of the rocks.
| fastened to the spot, and found, not
the dead man." but very seriously
injured one. He was insensible, and
had bled profusely from wound on
the head.
stood moment silently debating
as to what was to be done. To take
in the wounded stranger and care for
him in our unprotected condition,
would be an outrage on the proprieties
which Dame Grundy would scarcely
forgive. While to let him die where
he was, would outrage higher laws
which was of much greater conse-
quence.
Come, girls, you have now chance
to exhibit little Of that strength l
heard you exclaiming over, this morn.
ing. Just help me to carry the poor
fellow to the tent. You know Jim is
away"
Mag sprang at once to my side, but
Lu looked at me with wide, serious
eyes.
"Wbat will people sayF
ave are beyond the pale of civiliza-
ton, dear, and we cant let the man
die" was all could say, and she
came obediently to my assistance.
We carried him to papa's tent, and
placed him comfortably on a bed
made of all our blankets; then set
myself to work to ascertain the extent
of his injuries. No bones seemed
broken, but there were bad bruises
about his head and shoulders. We
had brought along supply of simple
remedies, and so of course had arnica,
with which l bathed the injured
places. l purposely placed it over
the wound, which had bled profusely,
and had the satisfaction of seeing his
eyes unclose.
The girls had been watching my
every move in shocked surprise, to see
me take such unwonted liberties with
an apparently dead man; so, when
his eyes opened suddenly, they silent.
ly retreated beyond the rage of their
vision.
He started confusedly at me, at
tempted to rise, which / would not
permit, and he sank back YEARLY.
Seeing his dazed condition. ! asked
him who he was.
Donald Anstey," he unhesitating.
replied, but / could not get another
word. His great, gray eyes never
left my face, but he seemed not to
hear, or heed, anything l might say.
saw his brain was affected by the
blow he had received in falling, and
so we gave up any attempt to find out
who he was.
1t was near night. Jim had not
returned, and we must have supper.
Calling the girls to assist me, we soon
got together sumptuous meal. The
stranger drank eagerly of the coffee
offered him, but would not eat. All
this time he never spoke word, but
eyed us in turn in seemingly mysti.
fed way
The girls were inclined to be merry,
but / saw him put his hand to bis
head. as if the sound of their chatter
troubled him, so as soon as we had
quietly cleared away our feast. / sent
them to our tent for the night, mean.
ing to follow as soon as Jim returned
But it grew rapidly dark, and he did
not come. knew something serious
had happened, or he would not leaye
us in our unprotected condition.
TO cap it all, on going outside ]
found storm WINS brewing. Calling