Evening star., 1898-10-15

fashioned pearl ring, but it was worth
something to have her anxious for his
safety
Don't borrow trouble on that score" he
reJolned. singing the camera over his
shoulder. Il doubt if | could find the
path in the dark if | should trv When
may | come AGAIN."
Her blush made him thrill with pleasure.
re could not see 1t, but he knew it was
there.
When do you want to Gomez"
Tomorrow, and the next day, and the
day after that. and
'iiush:' she commanded; and then. by
way OF reprieve: I'm glad you like our
mountain Come whenever you please
Papa is always glad to see you:''
a sudden access of daring filed his soul.
And you? he queried.
Ell moi aussi, toujours was the laueb
ing concession as the futterug draperies
disappeared up the path. The tilt of the
words sang Itself over and over as he
went lis way down the starit lane making
sniff TO forget the dull iuster Of the pparis
on Miss Dickson's ffnger-temporariiy. at
least. N'
Lois stood at the edge of the porch until
the sha9e OF him was but "a darker blur
against the shadowy background of the
forest at the lanes foot. Then she turned
to go in. In the act she had a GLIMPSE of
shadow darting quickly across the lawn
~ ~ disappeared in the blacker shadow Of
the cedar hedge, and sonnet hing impeIled
her to go back TO the gate. She was inst
IN tlme TO see the figure of a man glide
through an opening in the cedars 1t
clouChed Tor an instant, as one who croDes
Tor a missile in the dark. and then ran
swiftly down the lane. Lois saw ANA
needed no explanation. 1t was the negro
DAVID and his sUperstitious rage had
again gotten the better of his fear of con-
sequences. In the catching of her breadth
she understood that Henry RusseIrs life
lay Ill her hand, and the next moment she
too was flying down the starlit lane
he tLGn
TURN IN the main road. and al the sight her
tongue cIave to the roof of her mouth and
her bones became as water Russell was
down, and the negro stood over him with .
Sreat stone uplifted.
DAVID Speech and strength came back
TO her IN a tidal wave of conflicting emo
uCns, and she hurg herself between th-r;l
Inc man dropped the stone as he had the
Scythe blade, but he was 10th to abandon
his purpose.
'Doan' yo' git en- de way, Miss Lois:
ain gwine ter hurt him none Is des
amin ter smash dat debbils hoodoo box O.
his'n."
You've killed him" she sobbed. knea,inr
beside the felled one. Then, with a sudden
upbiaZe of authority: "Run-run TO tine
mouse ana call my father! Tell him what
youV done and bring him quickly! Cor
When Russell opened his eyes he thouoht
he was on train which was arjns
through an interminable tunnel. Not other
wise could the din and clamor drumming in
MS ears De accounted for. Then the imagi-
nary train shot out into darkness and star
IlSht and silence and he remembered None
the less, there was a gap and things unac-
countable in it. Something had struck hin,
fairly between the shoulders and he had
fallen face downward Now he was living
on his back with his head pillowed. He
81 oaned and the hallucination returned II
was train, after all, and he must be in n
berth in the Pullman, with the roof of the
car gone and the stars tWinkling sleepily
overhead. Cndoubted stars they were and
in clear sky, and yet it was raining: he
feit drop plash on his cheek and was
vaguely conscious of a prompting to get I'D
and seek shelter. But when he would have
esSayed 1t, two soft arms went about his
neck and a pair of tremulous lips touched
MS forehead. AS half stunned man might
ne said the first thing that suggested itself
I don't care If it rains pitchforksr'
20, I'm so glad!' said voice with a sob
IN 1t. Il was sure he had killed you! Where
are you hurt?
Russell came to his own in the matter of
self-possession with gratifying calerity
AS long as / lie perfectly still I'm not
hurt anywhere; don't move, please. Was it
the crazy-headed negro?"
es, it was David. He thought you had
'hoo-dooed' Nam Sephny, and he was try
ing to smash the camara."
Where is he now?"
He has gone to the house for help-O. I
do wish they'd hurryw
Don't. I'm quite comfortable" Then IN
spasm of reluctant thoughtfulness: but
you'u take cold sitting on the ground"
he made q shameless pratense Of rising