Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-12-29

CHAPTER XIII.
Slowly and YEARLY Irene and Cassan-
dra moved on their way. 1t was long
distance for them, In strange way, ana
at a strange work; but they stopped not
until they had reached the small house
with the watering place before 1t. "A Few
rods beyond this they walked, ana then
Cassandra proposed sitting down. -.
Let us move on to the turn, said
Irene. IL am weak and weary. Inc
dawn Of day Is close at hand. and we
will not stop here. People may come out
from this house"
SO on they moved. 1t was only quar-
ter Of mile further. but 1t seemed
long, long distance to them. Every step
now seemed but an expiring effort, ana
the fainting nerves were busy only Ill
carrying their messages of pain to the
brain. But the corner was reached at
length. Down the narrow path they
turned and ut the distance OF a Few rods
they stopped beneath large sabine tree,
and sank down upon the light turf.
Irene st. Marc slept very sOundly for
cwhilc; but at length she began to dream
She dreamed that she had done murder
that she had struck her father with a
dagger and killed him. To avoid appre.
hcnsion she had fled from her home, and
was in dense wilderness, where the
giant trees grew thick, and the under
wood was rank and matted. In her fright
she turned to go back, when she was
stopped short by finding a gigantic ALI.
gator directly before her-his monster
jaws opened wide, and his long, sharp
teeth cleaning In the strange light that
came from his glaring eyes.
With n deep groan Irene started back
and turned to flee. But 10! the way was
closed up behind her. Where she was
sure she had before seen II narrow path
she now found n tangled mass Of cypress
shoots and thorny vines; and wound all
in among the dark foliage were innumera.
bic serpcnts. whose Shiny folds cleaned
with horrid distinctncss, and whose heads
were raised as IL ready for blow at the
intruder. In her agony the wandercr
turned again. The alligator had grown
larger in bulk, flames Of fire were issuing
| from his mouth. and she felt that she was
burning up. Her face was hot-shc was
Notwithstanding low sound
| seemed to issue from the monsters
throat, and 1t distinctly pronounced her
name.
Irene! Irene"
The maiden uttered a quick, sharp cry,
/ and started up. She opened her eyes and
gazcd about. For awhile she was com.
plctely blinded by the dazzling bright.
ness that surrounded her; but when she
did get her eyes open she found the sun
shining down hOtly upon her, while Cas-.
sandra. who sat by her side. held one of
her hands, and was gazing anxiously into
her face. But this was not all she saw.
Close by, and gazing earnestly upon her,
stood man, ana boy who held u couple
Of mules by the halters.
"What Is III" asked Cassandra. anx.
iously. "You are not hurtY'
"No. no--but I had II dream; o, a ter.
rible dream"
80 did l." returned Cnssandra. II
had a dreadful one. and this man was
lust In time to wake me out OF It. We
must have slept a long while, for see
the sun Is far up In the heavens"
The man still stood. only n few feet
distant, gazing upon the two girls. lie
was a native Indian, towards the middle
age Of life. and very stout and strong.
He was by no means good.looking man,
SO far as beauty was concerned, but he
had kind look, and Irene thought he
gazed sympathizingly upon her.
Ladies'" he said. speaking In very
good spanish, !1" WIN paruoh me ioi
waking you put ! iouhu 20" nere, ahG
! knew tue sun was burning you up
passed tn's WI! 'tr! curly ,n's MORN
ing Just oe,ore unypreaN, anu you were
mere theh' rus. "seep' 30 Ane" you
hnd slept apou. long enough. An THOSE
rouss uoh niue your ~" ny ousnsh''
lou were very N'nu, sH' RETURNED
irene e",h,"s eourase from Tue sUan
ger A'"o ,o"e' wv "u'ne" ",' n'snt
hear,y' nno we'e very "'ea WIG" VIZ
reaehe' here'
perhaps You came from the cityT
said the Indian, interrogatively.
Irene hesitated.
"You need not fear me- the man said
eve did come from the city, scnor."
"And may ! ask which way you are
goingT
why not trust him!' whispered Cas-
sandra, IN her mistress ear. "l'erhap
he Is going the same way we are, an,
In all probability viii know where we 90
so we had better trust him. for thcs,
people seldom Detray one who engages
their honor
, u WILL replied Irene; ana turning Il
. the stranger she said;
: There Is native settlement beyon'
here. think" ,.,.
"Yes, lady, over beyond the hill.'
I'VE We're going there.