The Press., 1891-06-11
THE ONETHAT FOLLOWED

side by side along 8 dusty road. They were returning from the great town in the valley to their homes in the hamlet hanging high above them against the mountain.
 As they walked they chatted of the sights in the town, of the good wives and little ones to whom they were com ing after three days absence; joking, joyous, happy in remembrance of their town iollity and in the anticipation of their welcome home. Occasionally they stopped under the overhanging branches of an orchard and ate apples, or they kneeled by spring, making cup of their hands to drink from; then passed on again.
 The sun struck down 6ercely upon their backs and shimmered on the dust of the road
 "Ah, the heat! Let us go more slowly, John. "s,a
 ssNo," replied the other. ''1t will be cooler higher up. Let us 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 paces 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 tance 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 inst now you were calling to me to go slower, and now you want to hurry" A& A ss - @ss>s 'es - ~7s
 "Yes, let us hurry-the heatr' 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, shiver coursing the length of his spine at the thought of the muff1ed figure in that fierce heat. And John, had he also seen it? Did he know what came swiftly, without sound, at their heels? He looked cautiously from the corner of his eye at his friend 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. ,. sn | 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, .'he will look l 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
 l But the old man only looked out from | the shadow with half smile of satis- faction that so much of the long journey was over, his simple countenance placid with the thought. "How white the road l isl" he said. And not many travellers on it, said | earnestly at his comrades face.
 Mot creature in sight," answered John quietly. "We have the road to ourselves. Others are not such fools to come out in this sunY'
 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 so close, in plain view. "Hurry, hurry!" he called back, and ramon. s.ya
 What has come to you? Are you crazy?' cried the old man. ''One can't pause to rest but you jump and runP' l "I-I am not-well. I want to get home," panted 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 I Andrews and get you something. It is this scorching day"
 seYes, yes; we will stop at Old An drews. He will cure me. It 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, l 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 s.The Rocks, a high cliff, reaching far along the side of the mountain, sheer, forbidding, it's bald face crossed by a rough, narrow path way. By nsing this steep way the jour ney to the cluster of houses above the cliff was made much shorter than by fol, lowing the grsduals winding ascent'o the road. 8FRsEssFkf | 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 upEto heselbows. "Ahl John Martin and Dave! Back from the fair? Come in.s | s'Yes, Mary, on the way home. Where is Andrewil David here had a turn on the road coming along below. and we want Andrew to mix him something. The sun was too strong for him, think. J | 'sYes, yes. Andrew! Andrewv' 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. 5
 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 nesthat fol. lowed.
 I Old Andrew was held in high esteem among the mountain people as half doc for half yUivard with hia knnpC1odya of