The Dickinson press., 1896-02-15

THE SHADuW IN TIE WALL
By Mr.. Ellen E. Dickin.on.


Carroll Jones was prospecting for
gold in the Big Horn mountains. IN
He was tall. 1.-the and
strong, but after tramping alone for
without the faintest sign Of sue
cess, he became heartsick and weary,
and determined to seek some resting
place for the night, and return to camp
the following morning.
When he arrived at this conclusion
he was in an exquisitely lovely valley
between mountain peaks that seemed
touch the sky. The autumnal col
oring Of the foliage, the brilliant wild
flowers, the babbling Of a noisy brook
and the clear atmosphere seemed to
render this desolate place ~ veritable
paradise to the wanderer. 1t was in
the cleaning that Carroll Jones hur-
riedly noticed these beauties Of nature.
as he anxiously surveyed the valley
for q place Of shelter. Its loneliness
seemed excessive. and very undesira-
hle for many reasons in a mining re-
gion at once so wild and desolate, and
open to the observation of the reckless
characters whom lie believed might be
prospecting In that direction as we'll
as himself. Besides, With his expert
ences Of atmospheric changes In the
Big Horn mountains, however soft and
balmy the evening air might be for
the moment. he felt sure that a sud-
den and violent storm was impending.
So he hurried on. crossed the brook
and discovered that what in the dis
lance he had supposed to be some
rocks covered with sayly hued, trailing
vines was in truth q very small. dilap-
idated, tumble-down cabin-a miners
cabin he at once pronounced it.
The sky. so clear and blue a few mo-
ments before, was already becoming
overcast, and examining the little
house, he found it had very small
window and door that seemed secure
~ fastened. Yet there was not the
faintest' evidence that this ruined
abode had been occupied in many
years, the vines having everywhere So
completely interlaced themselves over
IL IuAL u uuy OllleF tiiHG 1C "o''u
have passed 1t unobserved.
During ti4s Investigation of the
premises q rushing, roaring wind came
from the gorge through which he had
entered the valley. He recognized 1t
Rs the first indication Of the approach
ing storm, and it seemed like the moan
Of q human being rs it shook the vines
and ratified the door. He could not
break open that abandoned house. 1t
was too utterly forsaken and lonely,
and a superstitious dread of being de-
tanned there induced him to quit its
threshold and hurry on, whittier he
knew not. Before he had proceeded q
dozen steps a terribly sudden and
awful crash of lightning. followed by
q torrent Of rain, made him realize his
folly in abandoning any sort of shelter
from the elements. AS he retraced his
steps the wind or something opened
the door, and he saw the interior of
the cabin when it was lighted up by
an electric flash.
There was a fireplace with a wide
h%earthstone, damp, moldy walls and o
broken floor. He entered with q shud-
der, and q chill seemed to penetrate
his very marrow bones as he stepped
over the broken doorsill. Pausing for
q moment, lie felt rather than saw that
q heap Of dust in the middle Of this
wretched room had gone up in a whirl
to the ceiling and fallen In a wider
circumference than it had previously
occupied.
He understood what that indescriba.
BILE and awful whirl Of dust indicated
In the abandoned cabins of miners. 1t
was the ashes of some human being
who had persisted there.
The rain, the bewildering lightning,
the peals and crashes of the reverber-
ating thunder were nothing in com.
parison to the horror which came over
him in this reflection. He would, in
spite. tof the tempest, flee from this
tomb;Of some brother miner. But just
then tie wind shut the door and In his
nervous haste he could not open it.
what he mentally termed a womanish
and absurd cowardice, and he resolved
to stay there over night IL 1t killed
him.
Suppose his comrades, If he ever re-
turned to them, he whispered half
aloud, should learn that he, Carroll
Jones, a strapping, great fellow, who
had hunted for weeks alone, and in
their company, through the wilds Of
the forests, and had had his expert
ences with the red men and wild ani-
mals-should learn that he was afraid
to remain in an old deserted cabin for
a few hours. Bah! He would make
a fire, cook his supper and 20 TO sleep.
In this most desirable frame Of mind
he Herewith gathered some bits Of
wood together, that were already on
the hearth and about the floor, and,
dra wing a match, set them III a blaze.
AS this illumination grew and gath
cred in strength the lightning almost
ceased and the rain was still falling
in torrents.
He began to feel more comfortable,
cooked his supper. made IN coffee,
and smoked his pipe, aud in tho Cczy
warmth of the fireplace lie wrapped
himself in his blanket a.d lay down
with his feet close to the glowing en-
bers.
How long he slept he could not tell,
but he gradually awoke an dopened
his eyes. He was lying III his right
side, and as he looked toward the wall
facing him there was a shadow on it
the distinct outlines Of a man, and the
man must be behind him and between
him and the fire. He remained per
fectly still, shut his eyes and tried tt
believe he was dreaming. but he coull
not so deceive himself. The PATTERN,
Of the rain was too audible as it fel
upon the roof above him; the warmth
Of the fire had put him in a glow, an,
the wind came In gusts and signing
through the little window and unde
the door. Great heavens! He woul
die with suspense and horror If he di
not learn who was behind him. Grca
drops of sweat ran down his face, hi
hands shook, but again he opened hi
eyes. There the shadow remained
With renewed self-control he turne
over, and there close beside him. stoo
a dead nan with q dagger sticking
his heart and one hand outstretche
with the fingers pointing toward IL
right side Of the fireplace. For OF
moment Carroll Jones noted the ago
lied expression Of the eyes and ia,
% the figure. as though 1t wished b,
c"rld not speak, and then he swoont
Into entire Inconsistencies. Tue s,
was shining in the little window NJ
through the chinks Of the cabin VIII,
the hunter for gold awoke. lie start,
uD. and. ODening tho dOOr with eor