The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-13

( ceased and a tnicK FOG set In. The woous
were dirk. cold and gloomy. The faces-oi
the two men who were slowly making
their way under the trees were struck
every moment by fine mist.
Presently they stopped and sat down on
q fallen log. regardless Of the fact that II
was soaking wet Since early morning
they had been hunting and now they had
completely lost their way. They looked
at one another hsiplessly.
Got maichy" asked one.
''Yeth. two;s lisped the other.
We'll. Sc Lad better start fire. Heir
me get some woou. +"
They stumbled about in the darkness FOL
a while and got together some doubtfully
dry wood.
Tie first match did not burn. The last
one fared up for a moment; the man
stopped quickly to touch 1t to the bit Of
paper len had been placed under the
wood 10 kindle the iire--a gust OF wind, o
dash OF rain, a face lighted up a moment
In the darkness aud the match was out.
.Idon't thee why you let them all 60
out, Thurthton," grumbled the other.
You don'tY exclaimed Thurston with Q
rising infection. You don't7 Listen to
that wind. Hear that rain" He
paused moment with bent head. There
it is again. Thought heard il"
Heard what2'
"Listenr r. exclaimed Thurston, sharply.
Family they could hear the barking Of Q
dog. As the wind increased In volume II
was louder; the wind then almost died
away and the sound was scarcely audible.
This wayi" exclaimed Thurston, and
on they stumbled until they came to
wood road. They had not gone far on this
when they came to o small house and .
number Of ferocious dogs came bounding
toward them, growing and showing their
teeth. The two men were unable to keep
them of only by the free use Of their gun
stocks. Then Q light was seen In the
house and the door was opened.
Here Jilt, Tige. Mentor. Come herei
Lie down r cried q hoarse voice inpatient
". What do you wantr to the two
young men
Call those dogs on" said Thurston.
I'VE want shelter; we have lost our way"
Lost your way, eh2 How's that2 What
are you doing way up here?' He held the
light up SO he could scan their faces and
then he saw their guns. Hunting, eh?
Got lost? Hard luck for your He was
strange looking man and the light tiared
and fell full on his unshaven face with a
strangeeffect. Shelter You want shelter?
Well, you won't lind it herer
"Whatg exclaimed Thurston In sur
prise. eYoucannot mean you would leave
us out ofdoors such night as this? We
will pay you well for Recommendations
''Payi What do you suppose care for
pay?" Then they beard the old man NUT
tering to himself He had changed his
mind, for with wave of his hand, and in
adifferent voice he said cordially:
ALLOW me to invite youth. Ny accom-
modations are very poor. but you are quite
welcome to what have
In at wet, dark night, ThuFston could
not help noticing the very good language
the man made use OF. and when they had
entered the house, he looked about him
euIiously
They We're In small room. with low
smoke-b!ackeRed ceiling and dingy walls.
There was no upper story to the iouse,
and no other room but this, excepting q
small one in tie rear, evidently used for
cooking purposes. On one side Of the
room was a bed, and near the Fireplace
was large old-fasaioned armchair. A
fire of chips and few small sticks of wood
was burning in the Fireplace, and every
few moments bright blaze would shoot
up, illumining the strange face of their
host. He had small, 1eep-set eyes-were
they blue or were they gray?-Thurston
could not tell in the dim light In fact. il
was rot until he had Invested himself Of
his wet outer-garments, and seated him
self in asmall wooden chair. that helooked
at his host at all closely The man wa,
not tall, he did not look SO very old,
although his hair was an iron gray, his
face deep lined and drawn, AMI his fea-
lures We're pale and wan. His eyes had an
odd look in them, and he glanced little
suspiciousiy at the two young men who
had been, forced on his hospitality. His
clothes We're old and shabby. yet Thurston
saw that the cloth was of TIE finest quail
n.y. dIIIOuSu LI6 cut was Oh anu 1uaIeu
style 1t was with singular ease and
grace that he invited the two to be seated,
at the same time apologizing for the poor
ness of the place. Thurston did not know
what to think OF this strange man; it was
evident that he was not an ordinary
4 farmer,
i am very sorry my friend Hayemeyer
and myself We're forced on you tonight"
said Thur4ton, after he had warmed him.
self by the fire. I'VE We're hunting and
lost our way. Is this the only house
about here?" -
There is not house within four miles
of here, twas the reply.
Dear me" put in Havemeyer, 4 Won
der where We are, anyhow?"
The man was bustling about, getting
them something to eat. and he looked up
aud tod them where the next town was.
They had wandered many miles from Mrs
HnptIvOtz country hpuGa TbyIrS+ ~, a. = 4