The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-10-12

IWO lpnOTiinI lluIlNtS nlNt LOT NtNllulS "
lot of worthless letters and fleeing into
an almost uninhabited desert:
Before day broke ON the following
morning Luke Mowbray slipped secretly
and noiselessly out of Nladivostok, and
turned westward toward the pine
crowned ridges of the Sil,ota range.
He rode the commandant's horse and
wore huge pair of boots the Russian
had lent him. Before him on the saddle
rested the mail bag, and in his righ,
hand he carried n loaded revolver
ready for instant use.
II was broad daylight when he crossed
the plain and rode into the mountains.
He had little fear of losing his way, FOR
Captain Shanoff had impressed the road
carefully upon his mind, and to further
aid him the trees were marked with an
ak Mt short intervals.
Luke was troubled with no misgiy.
ings as his horse slowly picked his way
over the frozen ground He was one of
those adventurous fellows who roam the
world over seeking ont strange places
and untrodden paths, and he was keenly
enjoying this little Siberian excursion.
Captain Shanoff had truly declared
the road to he bad. For ten miles it led
up and down hill, over stones and fallen
trees, and more than once Luke had e.
dismount prd lead the horse over some
unusually bad spot.
About noon he reached the top Of the
highest ridge and made brief halt for
lunch. The valley below him was
thiclsly wooded and was deep and mar.
row. The road led through it for seven
or eight miles, and then, the captain had
said, it crossed a gap in the mountains
at point only three miles distant from
the mining camp.
II had suddenly grown colder, and the
air was keen and biting as Luke rode
slowly down the mountain side. The
valley was wild and desoate, and Luke
had to admit to himself as he spurred on
his horse that it was Il very uncomforta
BILE bit of country.
For the first time in his recollection
strange feeling of uneasiness crept grad.
ually over him, and he tried in vain tC
shake off its influence. To make mat
ters worse, II fine snow began to come
- e
Luke was by no means superstitiOus
but the idea now took firm possession OF
him that some great peril was approach.
ing, and for a moment he wished that
he had not volunteered for such an un.
certain piece of business. Then he grew
angry with himself.
"What nUnsense!' he cried half aloud
And whipping up his horse he gal
loped mt a swifter pace mp the valley,
skimming over the crusted snow, and
leaping over rocks and bushes until the
forest dwindled to the edge of a clear
ing, II tong, low bit of ground, undu.
lated with hillocks OF drifted snow.
On the very edge his horse stopped and
shifted the air uneasily. Then he dashed
forward with IA start, almost unseating
his rider
On the frozen ground was some dark
object, and rs Luke with difficulty
pulled his horse up short he saw, with u
thrill of horror, that it was mail bag
similar to the one he carried
1t was lying half under the snow, and
as he dismounted and tried to pull it
loose he discovered dark red stains on
the frozen crest. Horror stricken, he
$1,000 sun IN aih'zeineht' forgetting to
pun 'he Dag ioose' wheh suddenly the
nors1 P'lcheu up 'iiS ears ana began to
'renioie Vioiehtiy'
With IL sudden impulse Luke threw
himself back into the saddle on the in.
stant, for far in the rear came n long,
inour'''ui howi '''at 'remoie' ana died
"wa!
Ine mystery WAS solved
4. hiAe iiaSi i1nhe rean1ed tne rate OF
the TWO man carriers-a iate that might
ere ,onS DC meted out TO INN, for the
now he nearu was the cry OF hungry
wolves wolves Agaln anu again 1t rose on the
wihtfy ar louder ana more savage AL
ready tney scented their prey ,
driving ,he spurs deep Luke flashed
up the valley al oiind and furious
pace
ne Tnew rue 700 well the hacnre OF his