Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-02-19

Clematis and naturally fell in love with
her, and within the last few months they
had plighted troth to each other, but
their engagement was not known out
side of the family of the KnOwltOns.
Glenn saw q black speck moving
swiftly along a distant undulation of
the prairie. She walked towards it, and
soon found it resolve itself into Alph
on his pony, who was Fastening to keep
his tryst. He threw himself from the
pony, and the lovers were in each others
arms.
"Why, darling, what makes you trem-
20. Alph! I'm so afraid for YOU"
She kissed him passionately.
''Fraid for me? What. is it, sweet
hearth
"It's Lon. He told me he loved me,
and l can't forget the hate ] saw in his
eyes when l told him | was going to
marry you, Alph," said the girl, sobbing
and shivering.
Nov, don't, don't little one. Lon
will get over this said Alph, kissing
her tears away.
''WouId you get over it, Alph?" said
Glenn archly, smiling through the radi-
ant drops.
Heavens! Glenn, if you put it that
way-but I'm not afraid III make it
all right with Lon"
They had now reached the ranch, and
Alph, throwing the rein of the pony
over a post, went with Glenn into the
house.
But another eye had seen this meet
ing on the prairie and Lon shook With
rage as he saw the tender embrace.
Course We, curse We" he Kissed, "yOu
sneaking wolf, come to steal my pretty
lamb"
In the morning Glen found that Lon
had gone away without warning, but
her father said he would be back for
the shearing. The girl was relieved
by his absence, but could not entirely
Quell the haunting dread that oppressed
her.
The time soon came for the shearing
of the herd, and the gang of shearers
was at work. There was heard the
''click, click of the swift-moving
shears intermingled with the bleating
of the lambs separated from their moth
ers. Lon had come back, and was work
ing busily, albeit it was noticed how
somber and gloomy he looked.
''Yer'd think Lon'd lost his last friend
on arth,'' said one of the shearers.
Guess his gals gave him the grand
bounce" chuckled another
To their good-natured sallies Lon made
little reply, only clipped on the faster.
Alph was also among the shearerS, as
he had clipped his own flock early, and
there was no faster shearer. no one more
popular than the young OhiOan.
was accosted by an old man, Il herder,
who had been for many years on the
! ranch.
"What is it, Joe?" as she saw he had
something to say to her.
''Clem," the old man gave al Cmbar-
raised cough, for he had guessed her
! secret; Il don't want to make you I'M
easy, but don't like the look o Ions
face when his eyes is on Alph. 1t kinder
makes me grow cold!'
''Oh! Joe, you'll watch him. You'll
not let him hurt Alph, will you?" said
Glenn, pleadingly, all her fears return
ing.
I'll keep my eyes on him when Is
| round, but the sarpint may bite Ill the
"Oh, Joe. I've that feeling, too
that Lon may strike Alph in some I'M
! guarded hour. Oh! what shall we dO:'
said Glen, sobbing.
Don't cry, Glenn Eff old Joe doesn't
keep his eye peeled, it's cause he's
sleepin'."
one night shortly after this CONVEX
satiOn, Glenn was sitting at the window
in her little room her heart filled with
strange and indefnable forebodings
She had blown out the lamp and all
was silent in the house, when sud
denly she heard Il football on the
prairie outside. Her eye, at the same
time caught sight of a figure which in
Somehow she felt it was Lon, and that
he was going in the direction of Alph' S
ranch. To put on her hat place heI
revolver in the pocket of her dark
gown (for Glen was an expert shot
and steal softly out Of the house was
to follow the retreating figure and find
his destination. Softly calling her
faithful dog Jack. she followed on the
trail of the man who had disappeared.
There was no moon, but the stars
were unusually brilliant. Far of
glowed great red planet glltterna
like jewel on the bosom of the night
The air was sweet with the faint per
fume of the spring flowers. The
silence was weird and oppressive, save
when broken by the cry of the coyote
the bleating of sheep, or the call OF
a disturbed bird. But Glen, a child OF
the prairie. was not afraid for herself
but felt sick at heart as she thought OF
the danger that threatened her beloved
| Walking rapidly but nOiselessly, will
| IL whisper of quiet to Jack, she had not
gone more than half mile when she
came in sight of the figure moving be
fore her.
PART II.
Would he go down the draw" she
thought, for that led directly to Alph'S
cabin? The man without stopping
commenced to follow the windings OF
the "draw" which cut into the prairie {
deep, irregular cash. Clem's heart was
beating fast now, but she kept the MAI
in sight, keeping Jack by. her side. The
dog was quiet save at intervals giving
out Il low whine. Evidently he knew
the man whom they were following
They were now near the ranch cabin
for Glen could hear the gurgling Of the
springs that gushed out of the sides OF
the "draw." When the man came as
far as the spring he stood perfectly mo
tionless a long time. It seemed an age
to Glen. She could not from where
she was crouching in one of the inches
of the sheepshed distinguish his feat
ures. Suddenly the man lifted his arm
and shook his fist in the direction OF
the cabin, then turned and came so near
Glenn she thought he could hear The
beating of her heart. She pressed hel
hand over the dogs mouth. and the in
telligent animal OWNED he was to be
silent.
AS the man passed Glen got fair
look at him, and dim as the star-shinC
was, she saw it was Lon. He never
looked around, however. but hesitated g
few moments. and then slowly and soft