Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-05-26


her right arm (keeping hold Of Sala-
1in's bride with her left hand, which
was behind herr, and shook her finger
menacingly ut the astounded negro.
For n moment Astrea was at loss
mount Saladin, without saying word.
encc, or whether to seek to deepen the
effect of her appearance on him by
making few remarks appropriate
to the occasion" Fearing that an Mt.
tempt to get upon Saladin's back might
the groom rs to disillude him to a dam
her vocal powers to help her play out
the game to the safest possible conclu-
sion.
She therefore advanced n few steps
toward the Quaking negro and, glover
ing upon him in as ghostly manner
as she knew how to assume, she again
raised her hand. and, in the most sep
ulchral tones. said:
doing there upon the sacred spot where
my body has so long lain buried?"
The effect of this address upon Sam
was highly electrical. Giving n sud-
den leap and scramble to one side, he
again came upon his knees. clasped his
hands. and raising them deprecating-
~ toward what he verify believed the
dreaded "Swamp Spirit" he grOaned
out:
"I didn't know it! deed an deed 1
didn't! Mist'us Sperit. l neber knowed
as how your sacred body was buried
anywhere. deed didn't-leastways at
de foot oh dat tree, or neber would
hab sot dis we're ole carcase down dere
-neber. so help me heaben an all de
angels-neher!''
'Vhat is false" replied Astrea. in her
best ghost tone. you new that my
bones We're lying there. and you came
here to dig them up and carry them
away"
'"Fore God. Mist'us Sperit," cried
Sam. with the perspiration starting
upon his face, ''dis yer chile neber
fought OBJ such ting in all de born
days oh his life. l jes' sot down dere
to wait for Marse Rumford to come
back after he an de houn's had tak't
look for Miss Fora, who's run'd
away from de plantation into dis yer
swamp. An OATS jes' de blessed
trnfe, an muffin else; an eff you'll jes'
wait till Marse Rumford gets back
an OATS his yell now" exclaimed
Sam, in tone of relief, as loud hal
loo rang through the swamp: che amt
fur away, an I'll jes' yell back again,
so he'll know jes' where to come,
an"
''Silencew said Astrea, firmly. The
idea that Rumford and his blood
hounds We're on their way back,
nerved her with desperation and
frightened all her faculties. "You are
deceiving me!' she continued, at the
same time drawing the dagger from
her bosom and advancing toward the
negro, but without letting go of the
bride of Saladin, who, consequently,
followed her. "You are deceiving mel"
she repeated, menacingly, land 1
must punish YOU by cutting out your
lying tongue"' and she held up the
cleaning dagger to his view.
This was too much for Sans nerves
to bear. Springing to his feet, just as
another halloo from Rumford came
sounding through the swamp, he gave
a responsive yell of terror. and
dashed away in the direction he be-
lieved his master and the dogs to be,
and was speedily out Of sight.
Astrea, fully approaching the pre-
ciousness Of moments, at once pulled
the blood-stained handkerchief from
her face, led Saladin to the side Of a
log, by the assistance of which she
clambered into the saddle, and rode
off. in direction opposite to that from
which Rumford's halloos had come, as
fast as the impending branches and
logs ard her own uncomfortable seat
upon her masters saddle, would per-
nit
CTO be CODtinued.)