Catoctin clarion., 1900-11-08

old rafters day after day. He loved the
old mill very dearly now that he saw a
possibility of it passing out of his fatE-
er's hands. As for his father, what
would he do without the mill? 1t was
a painful question and Andy did not
try to answer it as he trudged across
the field towards the big, black ledge of
rocks that hung like frowing shadow
over the little valley.
'I'll go and watch for the rattlesnakes
to come out in the sum- muttered Andy
as he pushed through the grass.
Right here we will say, that ledge Of
rocks was famous place for the dreaded
reptiles. They used to come out and
sun themselves. 1t was curious sight
if not pleasant on, to see the poisonous
creatures crawling about and coiIing
upon the heated rocks, People gener-
ally of timidity or sensitive nerves sell
dom visited this locality; but Andy telt
in mood tor just such amusement to-
day.
As he drew near the ledge he saw
that the ugly creatures were in fine frolic
Their scales glistened IN the sun and
their eyes were bright as they crawled
from nook to nook, coiled and uncoiled
themselves and disported in snake fash.
ion among the warm rocks.
They are lively today. I'd hate to
get down there among them. Phewl they
smell just like fresh cucumbers. Id like
to get little nearer to watch them. I'll
do it,
Andy climed up the tall hemlock-
and one of the hardest tasks in the way
of tree climbing is to scale hemlock;
but he prided himself upon climbing,
and was soon lying upon branch near.
er the ledge where the snakes were than
he believed any human being had ever
been.
1t was a curious sight. The prettiest
honeysuckles grew among the patches
of moss and dirt, right there where the
deadly and most feared of reptiles dis
ported. Andy's eyes we're fastened
upon the ugly creatures, for he was in
terested In nature, and always took oc-
casion to study its mysterious workings
The green needles of the branch almost
touched the ledge; with stick he could
have poked the squirming mass, but he
didn't come there to disturb them
only to watch them, that was all.
Then-the boys heart almost bobbed
up into his throat. If he could have
gotten a million dollars for crying out
he couldn't haye uttered a sound. The
form of a pretty little girl of ten or
twelve passed the jutting wall, and be-
gan to cross that terrible platform Of
death. Her arms were full of honey
suckle. Nothing but the flowers at
tracted her eyes. Her cheeks were rosy
and her half-opened lips disclosed
pretty white teeth.
"Sh-'shr
{ The girl stopped upon the edge Of the
ledge Of rocks. Her eyes were lowered
to the hemlock. AS yet she had not
seen the now coiled reptiles there among
the honeysuckles.
'Sh--'ehv
The whisper was near her. She peered
into the tree-oh! a boy is there, seated
upon big branch almost on level and
but few feet from her.
Why, boy, what
Don't speak don't moove one steI
back. Come closer to the edge. Are
you brave p
YOU talk funny. l want the pretty
honey
Never mind the flowers. Drop wha
you have GOT
Whats that" the girl whispered. al
strange, Kissing, rattling sound fel
upon his ears.
Andy knew what it was, but he didn
tell her.
He braced himself upon the stou
limb, and said:
YOU must jump-jump right toward
me. It's only few feet, but I car
hold you,'
u, jump
Yes; don't ask whv-quick-jump!
cried he, as the holes among the ledg'
swarmed alive with ugly. disgusting
fiat headed creatures.
; The girl must have felt a sudder
intuition that her life was in danger
that there was only one escape--to d'
as the strange boy in the tree said
jumpl she did without further question
. ing.
The shock almost threw Andy from
his hold, but he was we'll braced will
; his back to the trunk of the tree. He
; slender hands grasped his shoulder
and her pretty face bumped against hi