Saint Mary's beacon., 1899-12-07

a tWIg cracked somewhere behind
her. A bird ssng overhead. A
breeze shook the mass Of brush
and blurred for an instant the fiercs
little eyes. Again that groanina
grunt. that to the girl soundsd sc
ominous
The creature stirred ! He was
raising himself upon bis haunchss,
for the eyes we're on . higher level
She tried to gulp down her heart
that would persist in getting up
into her throat. A footstep sound
cd on the path behind her. Some
one nas coming. The sound broke
tbe ~ t6sk ~ 0pS4 ~, I'D
with ) little insrticuIsts crv she
sprang OF the log and fonnd her
self face to face with Jack Miles
IL that young gentleman was sur
Iprised to fnd himself clutched
frmly BY the lapels Of his huating
coat; exhorted tragically not to 90
. step further for his life, and vig-
orously pushed back by q pale faced,
resoiute girl with serror-stricken
eyes, he had sense enough and pres
ence of mind enough not TO show
it.
why, Silvia. Silvia, what is the
matter p
sOh. Jack, am so frightened !
There's Q bear in the underbrush
beyond the log, and he has been
looking at me aud making ready to
spring for-for ever 90 long, and
she straightway hid her face against
the young mans breast.
Jack Miles put his arm about
her shoulders and drew her closer,
a'wondering, beautified expression
creeping into his eyes. What cared
he il wounded bears lined the path
on either side. By some inexpli-
cable mystery Silvia, who had ceased
to love him, loved him again
SHOW me just where he is. dear, >
he said, softly. after . moment.
sOver there-hidden By the un-
derbrush, just beyond this fallen
tree replied -sisvia. shaddering.
Il could see his little eyes watching
me-so fiercely, so cunningly. Oh,
what was that p clutching her COM
panion's arm as some great bod Y
crashed through the thicket not 10
feet away.
ITS the bear, By Joye 7 said
Jack, raising his rife TO his shoul-
der. Don't be frightened. Pm q
good shot. Don't clutch my arm
90 dear Stand behind me y
The girl tremblingly did as she
was bid. and Thus the two waited
in silence. Presently the under
brush parted. Silvia gave q low,
horrifed CRY, as granting and groan-
ing an enormous black hog emerged
from the thicket and waddled un-
concernedly down the path, wig
Cling his curly tail and roofing for
nuts and acorns az he went.
Silvia giggled hysterically and
sat down precipitately upon the log.
Jacks face twitched convulsively >
as he asked
SIS that the bear p
IL suppose it is,' weakly. 'Bui
there's q wounded bear somewhere
abouts,' she continued. as If in self
justification. Crosby told me Of il
and warned me not to 60 far from
the hotel. was thinking of-oi
something else and walked on with.
ont noticing She had risen. Nov
that the excitement and supposed
danger we're over the widow and the
letters and photographs again as.
serted their sway. Glancing in.
voluntarily at the third finger OF
her left hand she said frigidly: q
was frightened just now, and must
have made q goose Of myself. Par.
don me, and let me thank you foI
protecting me from tbe-the hog.
please wait Q moment, said Jack
a. she turned to 20.
Silvia elevated her pretty eye.
brows as much as to say, what on
earth can vou wish to detain me
for p but stopped.
will you sit down p be asked.
She hesitated Q moment and then
resumed her seat.
Silvia began Miles.
The girl glanced up half angrily,
then her eyes softened and dropped.
Silvia, do you think We had bet
ter let that foolish misunderstand-
ing part rs always::'