Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-01-20
CHAPTER I.
Christmas Eve.

14SofSh hAAORSs DSNST naVee ana
never shall. set up to be regarded as
hterateur. Nevertheless, it has been
suggested to me that certain adven-
lures through which 1 passed five
Christmases ago, and a year later,
were so very startling, that 1 ought
TO cast them into the form or a narra-
tive for other folks to read.
1 believe my friends are, perhaps,
right IN this, and hence am beginning
TO set down these extraordinary adj
ventures; but warn my readers they
must expect nothing more than a mar
ration OF facts. altogether unembel.
hshed by any graces of literary style.
1t Is unnecessary to detail the cir
cumstances which led me, who am by
birth gentleman, and who, even then,
was not without some little money Of
my own, to take up my residence in
cottage, which was little more than
hut, at the foot of mountain in
Wales.
Suffice 1t that a quarrel with a rela-
tive had made me thus seclude myself,
and that, for more than six months,
lived in that cottage with no compan-
ION, save my dog. and with no occupa-
ton beyond fishing, shooting. and
mountain climbing.
When Christmas came around, Il
found me there. Pretty late on the
Christmas Eve, tramped into the
town for my store of provisions; and
tramped back again through the falling
snow, with ruisanthropical enjoyment
of the fact that, for the first time in my
lie, should eat my Christmas dinner
alone.
I threw another log on the fire, made
myself glass Of whislxey teddy, and
was slipping IL very much at my leisure.
when the furious barking OF my dog
made me jump up and hurry outside,
confident that something was wrong.
My hut was ct least three miles from
any other human habitation; 1t lay out
of the way OF all beaten tracks-so
much so that for weeks together no
one passed near II.
Thieves were out OF the question for
had nothing to tempt cupidity. What,
then, could be the meaning OF Neros
furious barking? 1t sounded, for all the
world, as though he were rending some
enemy limb from limb
To snatch up my gun and open the
door was the work OF a moment The
snow had ceased falling, and the moon
was shining brightly but for a moment
saw nothing of my dog though his
hoarse bark sounded more furiously
than ever.
A stones throw from the cottage. and
quite at he back of it, was a little copse
or trees. From that came the barking
and hurryins towards the spot, 1 was
struck dumb with horror to see Nero
attacking a woman. He had pulled her
down to the ground, and his teeth had
actually met in the fleshy part OF her
arm.
Even when / called him off, he
ooeyed with the utmost reluctance.
licking his chops, and growing horrl-
bly,, as though he would fain return to
the attack
j administered an angry kick to him
in passing, then strobe up to the wom-
an, who had risen TO her feet the mo-
ment the brute let go his hold. Even
In the moonlight could see blood
trickling down her hand.
Fond as I was of my dog, 7 felt at
mat moment tempted to put a bullet
through his head so incensed was I
against him.
Good heavens! I hope you are not
seriously hurt?' I cried; and, even as
spoke 1 became dimly conscious that
this woman was no ordinary woman
that this midnight adventure was one
OF peculiar mystery.
Two things assisted me to this con-
viction. One was that the woman had
never uttered single cry or groan.
Even when Nero's cruel teeth had torn
her flesh, she had suffered in stoical
silence contenting herself, as I had
seen, with a desperate attempt to
choke him off by the unaided strength
OF her own hands
This in itself was marvellous. for IL
Is second nature with a woman to cry
out at such time, especially when 8
cry may be trusted to bring help. Sure
~ her silence must have been due TO
the fact that she preferred even the
pain and peril of those awful fangs to
the chance of being seen by any human
eye. The other thing was that, when
approached close to her, and she turned
and faced me, saw she wore a black
velvet mask, which covered her fea-
lures sufficiently to defy recognition.
Are you seriously hurt?" / cues
toned, anxiously and waving my sur
prise in my fears for her safety. Has
the brute bitten you severely"
For answer she held out her arm.
bare to the elbow and showed me a
frightful wound.
GOOD Heavens!" exclaimed
against: you had better let me eau
terize that. Not that think the dog Ia
mad. I believe him to be perfectly
healthy. But still, it would be safer
Then the woman spoke for the first
time. Her voice was rich and clear, It's
accents Enthusiastically those of a lady;
1t thrilled me curiously.
ARE you alone?" she asked els there
anyone in there with you?" and she
pointed to the cottage.
II am quite alone No one will see
you. Comet"
gave her my arm. She took 1t with
out a word, and leaned on me heavily.
We had to pass by Nero, who had been
sitting on his launches still licking his
chops, and steadily regarding us.
A low and angry growl broke, as
though Involuntary, from his throat
as my companion passed near him.
Lie down you brute! 1 called out
TO him. in my anger; and, when he at.
tempted to fawn upon me, sternIy
put him back. had never been so dis
gusted with him before.
We entered the cottage. I led my
companion to a seat. poured out a lit
tie brandy ana insisted on her drinking
It.