The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-02-11


lie, on his part, had scarcely ever
noticed whittier he was drifting. lie
knew that Salome was superbly lovely
that her nature was one OF the sFeetest
and most fascinating he had ever en-
countered, and that it was very pleasant
to meet the simple lass in the quiet
lanes or quieter woods aud walk and
talk with her.
At length she had realized her folly,
and to atone for her indiscretion she
had spoken and eRsed her heart, Only
then had he discovered how lar ne had
driited-how unspeakably dear had the
obscure pit brow lassie become unto
him.
To even think OF losing her now filled
his heart with gall and NORWOOD, his
mind with painful thoughts, and no
could not keep her without breaking
faith with another-without casting
away the conventionalities he had hon
ored in thought, at least all his days
could win her only by facing the con
tempt and derision OF the world to
which he belonged.
What was he to do? he asked him
self as he threw the Chewed end oil his
cigar away and went down the lane,
The question was too intricate prob
lem to be solved oil hand, as he recog-
nized the moment he put it to himself,
and he had perlorce to shelve the mat
ter for settlement at some future pme.
Reaching the stile on the left hand
side OF the high road he passed through
and paced slowly between the fields,
his mind thronged with crowd Of con-
tlicting reflections and decisions which
chased on another with unaagging feet,
Now he would resolve upon winning
Salome at all costs. He loved her too
much to live without her, and her pos
session would repay him for all the
worlds scorn. Yes, the beautiful and
charming girl would be his. But what
an awful bother there would be. Ills
friends would laugh at his folly, Others
would sneer at him, and, we'll.
lie grew coldas he thought OF certain
contingencies which would follow his
open ayowal OF his love for the pit
brow girl and his determination to
marry her, and he fell back into the
slough OF indecision.
II was night now and few stars We're
twinkIing in the dark moontess heavens.
Out there in the fields it was almost
pitch dark, but the white path showed
clear between the family rustling
stretches OF grain. Coming to the
wagon road he crossed it, skirted tho
black, looming mass made by the pit
bank, engine house and head gear, and
made his way towards Gale Wood.
As the brooding lover, plunged into
the quiet, gloomy wood another man
stealthily followed in his rear Cross
ing the brook he came to the spotwhere
he and salome had parted on the first
morning OF their acquaintance. He
paused moment as he remembered
the incident, and then swung along
again, his fancy busy now with pleasant
reminiscencesR that epoch making
first meeting, while he siumbledln his
pocket for fresh cigar
Behind him still slouched the dark
figure OF the man who WAS DIGGING his
footsteps, walking in the grass, which
mutIled his footballs, and darted from
tree to tree, roiselessly as a rabbit.
Towards tho confines Of the woodland
near which the path now ran, the trees
were less abundant, the gloom less
thick. Smoking and immersed in
thought Salome's lover went on, and
was suddenly stsrtled from his reverie
by the figure OF man who seemed to
have sprung out OF the earth. The
man behind noted the encounter be-
tween the man he was tracking and the
unknown wayfGfer, and dropping on
the sward behind tree he waited.
excuse me, sir, but can you tell me
the way TO Earlsford?" said the man
who stood in front OF Cunlitfe. II fear
| must have taken the wrong way"
"You nave" answered the one ad-
dressed, as he took his burning weed
from his lips. "You should have kept
10 the highrodd. But il youfoitow this
path it will take you to Marsh Green,
and then all you have to do is to follow
the road"
"Can you tell mo the time, please2"
~ suppose 1t will be about halt-past
nine. Wait moment, aud I'll strike n
match to segO IRaHbqIiinisrnqIly dark
here"
He thrust his cigar between his teeth,
drew out match box and watch and
struck a light. The moment he held
down tho burning taper towards the
face OF his timepiece second tramp
arose from the grass behind him, and
flung his arms around his throat, while
tho one in front clrtched desperately ut
the watch and chain.
A low cry oil anger and alarm welled
from the assailed mans throat as he
was pulled down to the earth; and tax
en- unawares as he was the thieves
would have robbed him easily, despite
his frantic struggles, but for the sudden
and unexpected arrival upon the scene
OF tho man who had logged CunlifIe's.
steps since he parted from salome.
With loud cry OF wonder the man
sprang from behind the tree where he
had been kneeling at the moment tho
gentleman had been attacked, and real
izlng how matters stood he threw him
self upon one Of the robbers, hauled him
off the PROSTATE man. and pinned him
by tho throat against tree.
Thus aided, Cunliile was enabled to
cope with the other thief, and in few
moments he had mastered his man and
was knecling OH his chest. Feeling for
his watch he discovered it dangling
from his chain; and as he put it back
into his pocket he dug his knee into his
antagonists ribs, crying:
"You miserable houndl You want
hogging for setting upon man like
that. have half a mind to break your
cursed neckW
"EIavo they hurt yo'?'' asked the res
cuor, without roIinquishlng his grip on
tho mans throat
mo"
bland 'om Ger to the police. There's
a station in the village"
"That means too much trouble. Let's