Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-02-03
denly, just below the brow Of the NM.

denly. just below the brow OF the Mi.
and not far from the birches, stopped
and skunk back to heel.
Come along. boy" commanded
Jack; but the dog hung behind. his
feathery tail between his legs.
1t was odd conduct in the gallant
creature. but his master would not
wait to coax him. He stepped on
briskly, with an encouraging whistle,
sure that the animal would follow;
and then, suddenly, he went down half
way to his knees in the most peculiar
mud-hole he had ever met in his ex-
perience. Jack Maynard had seen a
good deal of life. but he was not used
to Irish bogs. He thought to step on
across marshy bit, and so, instead of
using all his efforts TO turn back, only
wallowed further and deeper.
by Jove," he exclaimed. He had
no thought of danger, but was dis
tressed that he must present so sorry
an appearance when he kept his tryst
with Anne.
With a tremendous exertion he pull
ed one foot half-out, only TO find the
| other sinking to an ominous depth.
1t was humiliating dilemma, and
he could not bring himself to shout for
help until he had struggled with such
disastrous consequences that he had
| gone down above his knees.
Then at last it began to occur to him
that matters might be rather serious
He might have to stay in the beastly
| hole all night if he dependent on his
own unaided efforts. The man who
| had let him in for this scrape must
have been an idiot not to warn him
! about the existence of the bog. Per-
haps even now Anne was waiting for
| him down yonder in the little clump oil
] silver biEcheS 1t was not a very dig
nifled predicament this of his, and il
| was not exactly pleasant to have to
, call the women he loved to his rescue
/ But he couldn't keep Anne wondering
! indefinitely at his absence, and the
only sensible thing to do was to have
her summon someone who would pro-
! coed to haul him out.
/ D,,tf h - Il &. 1,
called aloud. But only the collie, lurk-
ing near, answered with a howl.
'Hel-lo!" he shouted again. Mo-
ments grew long in waiting. 1t was
after five now 1t would soon be half
past; and still he was sinking deeper
Anne had evidently been delayed as
! she had feared
/ Suddenly the dog gave vent to a
| gruff yelp. Someone was coming
man, walking slowly down the hill
Jack seemed to know the shambling
! step. A little nearer and he saw who
it was-his late guide, philosopher and
friend.
Here, you." the prisoner cried
Luckily there was no necessity fol
keeping up appearances whit what he
called his "ducal drawl," in this crisis
Look here" said Jack, when the
peasant had come within closer ear
shot This is a pretty mess you've
| got me into. Why the duce don't you
tell me about the bog? suppose you'll
want another sovereign for getting me
out Well, hurry up, fetch rope OIL
something and you shall have It,"
81 shall be wanting a good deal
more than a sovereign for that" said
| the man, standing to stare with arms
akimbo, and scarcely suspicion of his
old brogue. More than even you've
got in your pockets-Mr. John May
nard.'
'"The deuce!" exclaimed Jack, for
once dumbfounded.
! lis he friend of yours?" inquired
| the stranger tstlll An lrishman, but a
I peasant no longer, except in his dress).
Maybe that's just as well, for you're
going down by an underground pass
age to meet him presently unless you
agree to my terms"
| He put up his hand, lifted off his
| wisp Of a hat. removed the red wig
! from under it, scratched a close crop
ped dark poll, and replaced the aces
sories again.
Good stage props. eh?' he solilo-
| quized. Jack kept his eyes upon him
| without speaking.
Il used to live in this part OF the
country once" be went on. 80 / know