The Meeker herald., 1893-01-28
ONE THAT FOLLOWED.

the mountain.
The sun struck down fiercely upon
their backs and shimmercd on the
dust OF the road
All, the hest Let us go more
slowly, john
No" replied the other. 1T will
be cooler higher up. Let us make
haste ana reach the shade of the
woods. and beyond there will be Il
breeze blowing
suddenly, as they walked, David
telt that they were not alone, and,
tn ming his head, Jaw third person
fol owing few PAGES behind them, nm
ex, .'emely tall man. wrapped in black
cloak. As David turned the mans
eyes looked into hi, with steady.
unfiinching gaze. The black-robcd
figure was only short distance behind
him. walking with Il bng, even stride
without sound his cloak drawn up 10
his ears, covering his mouth and chin.
As David looked he shivered: then.
turning his head quickly. he walked
rapidly on. urging his companion to
hasten.
But just NOW you were calling to
me to 90 slower. and now you want to
hu ry.n
YES, let Us hurry 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. that was behind them
NOM d., f.1, ,.,.,,t, ,yn,,f,t M. Il. ,.i =, q,
10 look again. 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. John plodded
on. his eyes on the ground. and his
big shoes white with dust. grumbling
at the heat, his face dull and express
sionlcss.
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 hi friend and tired
more easily.
Now thought David. Tho will
look back and VIII See. And he
watched the others face narrowly.
They sat Oh the edge oil the road,
their legs hanging down the bank.
Johns gaze wandered back, down the
long stretch over which they had
come." How white the road is!'' he
said.
And not many travellers ON il.
said David. in half question. still look
ing earnestly ht his comrades face.
Not creature in sight answered
John. quietly Others are not such
fools 10 come out ia this sum-
David treasured by this, turned
slowly and looked back. Just below.
by the first tree. in full view. silent
motionless. stood the tall figure. little
r.arer than before.
David lcapcl TO his feet and ran
along the steeproad. stumbling, terri
fed. John saw nothing. and this crea-
ture so close, in plain view. Hurry,
hurry!" he called back, and ran on.
What has come to you? Are you
crazy?r cried tic old man.
IL am not-well. / want to get
home" painted David. Yes. yes; we
will stop at Oh Andrews. He will
cure me"
Again they walked rapidly onward.
the old man fIll 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 scant; farmland. the poor
half barren. land of these mountain
farms. Beyond the few fields that
stretched mp gradually from the back
of the house, rose abruptly The Rocks
Il high cliff. reaching far along the side
OF the mountain. sheer, forbidding. its
bald face crossed by rough, narrow
pathway. BY using this steep way the
journey to the cluster of houses above
the cliff was made much shorter than
by following the gradual, winding
ascent Of the road.
The two friends turned in at Old
Andrews gate. At the door they We're
met by the farmers wife. her sleeves
rolled up to her elbows.
David east one brief glance back
ward us he followed the others into the
house In the road just beyond the
gate. and looking over it, stood the one
that followed.
Old Andrew was held in high esteem
among the mountain people as half
doctor, half wizard with his knowl-
edge Of the use of roots and herbs.
He brewed II muddy, pungent tea
which David drank. and Mary, the
wife, placed extra plates at the table
and insisted on the travellers taking
sIpper.
LET David rest, she said. and if
he is better after supper you can go
hsrne in the evening by the short cut.
There will be Il moon. Or he may
stay the night if not strong enough to
80 home"
So it was arranged. Old Andrew
and John talked together Of the sim
pie, worn subjects OF their rude lives.
the poverty OF the soil. the long season
without rain, the many hardships that
befall the farmer,
The wife piled David with question.
about tho town. WAS there u big
crowd at the fairan aud so Oh. David
answered absently, thinking Of the
waiting stranger outside the gate.
When tie twilight fell the young
man fslt a,ls To go Oh and was an2-
.ous To fsaeh his family, so the two
men set stt along the path through
the rocky fields. As they reached the
base of The Rocks" and begun tho
steep ascslt, the neon rose