Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-02-28

the forest. Wolf hunts were organ
lied to kill them, and fifty francs
were paid for q VOLTS head. I myself
saw three-two full grown ones and a
young one-on the opposite bank of
the Cher one morning when was on
my way to Saint-Amand in my cart.
''But neither the hard winter nos
the wolves prevented Laurent and So
lange from meeting at night in the
forest; in spite of all dangers they con-
tinued their nightly expedition. Every
evening Laurent left Lurcey- Levy, his
gun under his arm, and walked through
the snow-covered forest with blithe,
fearless step; Solange, on her side,
slipped away from Ursay at o'clock /;
and they met at glade called THE
Walk, about mile and half from
here.
Con Christmas evening they met as
usual, but just as Laurent reached the
glade ho slipped upon the frozen
ground, and fell in such an awkward
way as to break his right leg and
sprain his right wrist. Solange tried
to lift him up, but was unable to do
so; she could only drag him to q young
elm tree and set him up with his back
against the trunk.
"'Stop there, my poor Laurent,
she said, wrapping her cloak around
him, 'and l will run to the doctor at
Ursay he will come and fetch you in
his cart
''She started off on her way to the
village, and had turned the bend in
the road, when she heard the report
of gun and u cry for help. She ran
back to her lover, whom she found
CHASTITY pale with pain and fear, one
hand convulsively clutching his gun,
which was lying on the ground.
"'What is the matter, Laurent dear 2
she asked, anxiously. WAS it you who
ired?'
"'Yes, he replied. Soon after you
had left me l noticed strong smell,
and when looked up I saw an animal
with glaring rcd eyes, and as big as o
great dog. believe it was WOLF
"Did you fire at it?'
"'No; I couldn't lift the gun, you
know, on account of my arm. I
pulled the trigger as it rested on the
ground to frighten the brute, and you
see he is gone
"'Will it come back?' asked So
lange after moments reflection.
"T am suro it willl' answered the
young man. You'll have to stop
here with me, Solange; if you don't
the beast will eat me-
"'Very well, DEAR said Solange,
'T'll stop with you. Let mo have
your gum
''5he took up the weapon, shook
out the discharged cartridge and put
in fresh one, and they both waited
anxiously.
"Two hours, perhaps more, passed.
The moon, still invisible, had risen
above the horizon, for the sky reAect-
ed confused light, which became
brighter each minute. Laurent was
feverish. Tho shivered and groaned;
Solange benumbed with cold, standing
up with her back against the tree, be.
gan to get drowsy.
"All at once kind of whine or
howl, like that OF dog chained up at
night, made her jump. In the semi
darkness she saw two fiery eyes; it
was tho wolf.
'Laurent tried to get up and take
the gun, but the pain was too great,
and he fell back again into sitting
position with a groan.
"'Make ready. Solange,' he cried
'aim straight between the eyes, and
don't fire too soon.'
"Solange raised the weapon to her
shoulder, took aim and fired but the
kick of the gun made her miss the
animal. Nevertheless, scared by the
report, it fled along the road, and was
quickly out OF sight. A little while
afterward they heard it howling in
the distance, and it was answered by
Others.
The moon now emerged from be-
hind the trees and lighted up the
whole of the forest, and terrifying
sight met the eyes Of tho lovers.
Within gunshot were five wolves,
seated on their headquarters, like
dogs, across the path, VII 'le another,
DOluCr buhu us IellOWS, was SLOWLY
making its way toward Laurent and
Solange.
"'Listen to what + tell you, So
lange,' said Laurent. s'rake aim at
the one which is coming toward us;
if youcan manage to knock him over,
the others will eat him, and we shall
have rest while they are doing it,
''The wolf continued to advance
slowly they could see its red eyeballs,
its bones showing through its dull,
ragged-looking coat--so thin was it
through hunger---and its open mouth
with the tongue hanging out.
Rest the butt of the gun we'll in
the hollow of you shoulder, said Lau-
rent. Now let him have It'll
"Bangl The wolf gave q Jump in
the air and fell dead without a sound;
the Others rushed away rs hard as
they could and disappeared in the
brushwood.
"'Run to the wolf, quick, Solange!
exclaimed her lover. Drag it as far
up the road as you can; there is no
danger. the others won't coma hack