Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-01-14

boy 5 frame as be thought OF the enor'
nifty Of the crime that these men were
about to commit. A cold perspiration
broke over his brow, and he trembled
like a leaf.
He crouched down in the shadows
under the window-sill, and in a few
seconds had regained his presence o.
mind. His father was helpless 1t was
his duty TO act-to outwit these men
to save hundreds of lives now at the
mercy of the wreckers
Hale had not long to wait. Two
men were left to guard the PROSTATE
form of old Samuel Johnstone, while
two others cautiously left the cottage,
and ran swiftly toward the lighthouse,
The key turned in the lock, and
both entered. The next instant Hale
had followed them.
The storm was raoino fercelv At
interval. Iiobtnino ouivered through
the sky, and rolling thunder seemed
10 shake the very battlements of heav-
en-. The wind howled like a savage
monster in search Of prey, and flung
f5am-crested waves upon the beach,
like packs of yelping wolves whose
white fangs glittered through the dark
ness.
Hale quickly removed his shoes as
he gained the entrance of the light
house. The door was left open. He
listened. Both men ascended the
stairs The BOYS heart beat with great
tbumps against his side as he felt for
the kew.
If he could secure it, it would be
easy to lock the wreckers out when
they came down, and then to repair
what damage they might have done to
the lamp. But. alas, the key was gone
For an instant Hale was confused
and disappointed, 'ut 1t was not long
before he had contrlved another plan
which he determined to put INTO exec
ution.
At all hazards he would follow the
wreckers to the top Of the lighthouse.
Trusting to his perfect knowledge OF
every nook and Granny in the premls-
es Hale, with the stealthy motion Of
a cat, ascended the steep, narrow
winding stairs.
For the first time IN his experience
they creaked beneath ms weight
Up, up he went, every slight noise
sending a thrill Of terror through his
frame up past loopholes, which now
admitted no single ray of light up, un-
til the second last round was nearly
completed, and then he stopped.
What was it that made him shiver as
,borab afflicted with an aoue9 What
can.eJ him 10 crouch down in the inkv
darkness scarcely three feet from the
bottom Of the last, ricketv flight of
stairs He held his breath and listened.
Despite the fearful roaring Of the tenn
pest without, Hale distinctly heard
the low murmur of voices,and the loud,
cchoing sound of descending footsteps.
He recognized the wreckers. One
WAS an Trdian. the other Miles Parker.
. white man. and both suspicious and
dangerous characters
Ugh :" exclaimed the former, as he
raused on the last step. Me hear um
noise 'Sb
The .born.eared Indian had detected
the almost SUPPRESSED breathing of
Hale. The brave boy never moved a
muscle. but the beating of his heart
was najnfuI in that fearful moment.
Two stems 10 one side, and either one
of the men would have trampled upon
him where he Law.
Won]d tbev make a search ? Would
tbav strike q Iiobto
aGo IN Won coward :" said Parker
imnatientIv. There amt no human
helm bnt them in the cottage within
miles of rs. Go on, I tell you -