The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-05-11

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ITs HIS GHOST.
middle OF the Gorge. As the waters rose logs
from above came humping down by tho hun
bred. 1t was evident that something must be
done at once, or the jam would assume such
proportions as to defeat all efforts at DIS
lodging it.
Kate, sitting in the front porch of her fathers
cabin saw "dug0ut" canoe leave the shore
and make for the upper end OF the Gorge. Her
father was approaching from the river at half
run.
Father" she asked, "who are them men az
is a-goin to risk their lives for passed. OF old
logs?"
Jump up, Kate" cried Mr.. Garden, "'an
fetch me that thar long inchrope we nses to
windIass up the RATS with. Anse Granger,
John White, md DOak Spuriin have gone down
the Gorge to the jam: We-why don't you
hurry up girl? Dsrk's comm on md we've
sight TO do"
Kate stood speeches. and staring. Her
father stamped his loot iDpatiently, and she
turned to look for the rope like one in dream.
Ten minutes later Con Garden and several
others were standing on the Red Cliff, huge
precipice that overhuag large rock midway OF
the Gorge Hero was where the jam had
formed.
Kate followed them, regardless of the supper
sire was to prepare regardless OF everything,
save that Anse had gone, perhaps, to his death,
aud that-she loved him dearly. The results
of her own petty resentment wrung her heart
rs she refncm bered his last attempt at recon-
ciIiation, which she had cruelty repulsed.
Now she stood beside her father The Red
Cliff. Below was savage roar aud white
dash Of spray and the grinding thud of de-
scending logs. Her ears, half deafened by the
noise, were strained to catch the sound OF
voices that might, even now be forever slenced.
The sun WAS sinking; chilling shadows were
enveloping the Gorge. The men were lowering
a rope. Mr. Garden. lying down. peered into
the seething abyss below.
" There's two men on the rock" said he.
" Hit looks like they've broke loose part of
the jam"
"Only two men, father?" cried Kate.
She threw herself down and peered over.
What if the missing one were Anse Granger?
That's it, boys" she heard her father say.
" A leetle furder down. There he's ketched
it-he's got 1t under his arms. Now. pull
stiddy, boys. nd don't fragile the rope"
4 human form was dangling over the gulf
below drenchcd with spume and swinging
wildly. Was it Anse? She hid her face as she
heard the horrible rasp of the rope over the
edge of the clil,-the hard breathing of man
then, after a time, scraping of feet, and
D0ak's avg voice.
Hit was tight squeeze, boys, md about the
wust place / ever was in
who's on the rock nowf" Kate heard her
father ask.
John White"
Her heart gave fearful leap
"Well, Doak, where's Anse?"
Kate sprang to her feet as Spurlins slow
words came like an echo of doom.
Jest afore the jam broke tho end of log
hit the dugout kerblim Down she went, md
Anse, he went along too"
She waited to hear no more, bnt without
word gided behind the unheeding group, con-
scious that Changers body must be somewhere
below the Gorge aud that she must find il. and,
perhaps, die. There seemed to be nothing else
that she cared TO do now.
Lower away boys" called Garden, but the
words were All ind lferent affair to tho despair
ing GIRL who with dilated eyes and torn gar
ments struggled along the rough and perilous
path above the Gorge that led to the valley be-
lOw.
He has gone TO his DEATH" she faltered. 81
i don't care much how soon | go to mine
either. Perhaps I'll meet him-where?
Her query was suddenly and unexpectedly
answered as the form of Anse Granger,
drenched, bruised, his clothing torn, his face
unnatnrally pale, glided round sharp bend of
the path.
GOOD God!" she gasped. "It's his ghost!"
She would have fallen. but strong arms held
her, a warm breath famed her brow. Her
eyes reopened. The hands of the ghost felt
lifeIike, and the voice she now heard made
her heart throb anew.
No, Kate" ! amt quite ghost yet. though
come toerabe nigh gettn' to be oue-shore."
/" Doak said as log hit ye," whimpered the
girl
~ was in the dugout when log did strike
| 1T, md down she went, jest ahead of the jam.
| Then the canoe busted herself rock. |
| managed to climb log nd on | scooted. | was
whired under md knocked about pretty con-
siderable, but got ashore. nd here am. Now,
| Kate what are you a-doin' way up here2"
There was no reply, yet her face hid itself
! against his wet and ragged bosom.
Arc you still mad, or you jest a-puttin'
on?"
No answer still, though one arm stole gently
| round his neck. Anse smiled.
Are you ever goin' to treat me in any such
! way again2"
kate's arm slightly frightened its clasp.
| Now, Kate, | want You to up nd kiss me
| right smack in the mouth"
! Bnt this last humiliation was averted by the
| appearance of Kate's father and the other men.
! Garden stared at Anse and his daughter. then
| turned to his friends with knowing grin.
"Anse makes right peart kind a corpse
| boys" he remarked; Jest about peart enough
to be causin' OF a weddin round here aiore
| long, reckon"