The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-10-16

0lGuACeQ among the trees, WHICH al
this season were in full bloom. it would
not be visible at night. It would have
been difficult, II not impossible, for me
to find it but for the fact that when
strolled past 1t some time before was
led by natural curiosity to scrutinize
1t quite narrowly. My memory Of places
has always been good, aud felt little
fear Of mistake.
Twas fairly beyond the suburbs Of
Englewood, with the houses becoming
few and widely separated, and was
walking at q moderate pace. for there
was plenty of time at command. FIRE.
quently turned my head, stood still
and listened. Now that the drama had
opened I could not free myself Of a
vague fear that Convey Gone had man.
aged to outwit me and was shadowing
my movements.
1t was when this feeling was the
strongest that made the disquieting dis
covery Of which I have spoken.
Somebody was following me.
At the moment Of turning my head
mn obscuring mass Of drifting vapor
passed from before the bright moon,
whose rays flooded the earth. The light
ing up Of the landscape showed me tho
outlines Of man in the path walking
in the same direction with myself.
There was the possibility that he was
an individual who held no interest in
me. He might be on his way to visit a
neighbor or some one taking the stroll
for his own pleasure.
| All this was possible, but the action
Of the stranger shut out such comfort
ing conclusion. He must have possessed
keen eyes, for hardly had stopped in
my walk when he did the same.
Thus two men, separated by more
than 100 yards, stood as motionless as
statues, peering at each other through
the gloom.
Suddenly the shadowy figure began
to grow misty and uncertain. It flicker
cd and danced in an odd way and then
vanished altogether. Another cloud had
so yelled the moon that darkness envel-
oped the stranger.
The observation was only for a few
seconds, when the ragged rift glided off
and the earth was bathed again in sill
very light.
had not stirred in my position, but
was still trying to pierce the darkness,
waiting. for my man to loom out to
view. But he did not. The place which
had so lately known him knew him no
longer. He had taken advantage Of the
temporary deepening Of gloom to slip
out Of sight.
"Maybe he is a country man, who was
so startled by my stoppage and turning
around that he fled homeward or climb
ed over the fence and hid. And yet
suspect that fellow is Convey Gone,
though how he got on my track passes
my comprehension.
Nothing was to be accomplished by
standing at the roadside, and resumed
my walk at still more deliberate pace,
frequently glancing over my shoulder
whenever the uncertain light offered
the opportunity.
had kept this up for perhaps ten
minutes when a curious flicker drew
my eyes to point behind me, but on
the other side Of the highway Some.
thing moved among the shadows, and
but for the peculiar direction Of my
gaze would not have perceived it.
When we look directly at the Pleiades,
we can count but six stars, but care
less glance shows the full seven. Had I
been gazing at the point would not
have observed the odd futtering Oh the
other side Of the road.
Looking straight at the point saw
nothing Nevertheless I knew that in /,
that brief interval when my man slipped
from sight he had darted across the
road and had been following me ever
since from the other side.
One Of the most uncomfortable sensa-
tions imaginable is that of knowing
that some one is stealthily following us
at night. The temptation to break into
a run or to dart to one side and hide be-
comes almost irresistible.
I have said that I carried no deadly
weapon with me-nothing except my
resistlcss strength-but in these modern
days there are innumerable situations
in which even SO miraculous gift is
worthless. A tiny pistol bullet would
be as fatal in my case as it would have
been to the ancient Samson.
Still it was not to be supposed that
the individual at my heels was seeking
ny life, and, while keeping an eye to
his actions l continued moving toward
the Hudson.
Suddenly l became aware that stran-
gers were in front. Not one man, but
three. Instead of following the path, as
was doing, they were in the middle Of
the highway. They were big, strapping
fellows, frouzy and i'll clothed and
members of the pestilent class of va
grants known as tramps.
l increased my pace, intending to
hurry past them, but the burliest rogue,
who was pace or two in front of his
companions, turned to ono side so as to
place himself directly in front Of me. I
moved to the right, but he intruded
himself again. Evidently he meant to
hold me in check.
GOOD evening, bossp' he said in a
NOlSSy az NuiNh lid WV
ions paused in the middle of the road
and watched him from under their
slouched hats. They were ready to give
help, but could not believe it necessary,
for the scamp confronting me was
third greater i'll size and weight.
Good evening What do you wish?"
(Which way might you be goin''
Cant you see for YOURSELF"
Don't be imperlite, boss. We're
workin the growler and are in hard
luck. Can't you give us lift?'
II might, for have good pile of
money with me, but don't like to use
it for buying drink for other folks. 1t
wouldn't be right"
''Bless your inherent heart, we don't
ak you to use it. It's us Come, shell
out" And no advanced threateningly
toward me.
"No; l shall not let you have a dol.
lar. though have plenty with me.'
(To BE CoNTINUED,)