Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1901-12-21
1heFollower'

A weird story Of ons Wrapped
In = Black Cloak.


= essIeC.C.<ssS De c.C.C:C
TWO men. John and David. walked
side by side along dusty road. They
were returning from the great town
In the valley 20 their homes In the
hamlet hanging high above them
against the mountain.
An they walked they chatted OF the
sights In the town. of the good wives
and little ones TO whom they were
coming after three days absence, Jok.
Ing. Joyous. happy in remembrance OF
their town jollity and In the anticlpa.
ton OF their welcome home. Occasion.
ally they stopped under the oyerhang.
Ing branches OF an orchard and ate ap.
pies. or they kneeled by n spring. max.
lng cup OF their hands to drink from,
then passed ON again.
The sun struck down fiercely upon
their backs and shimmered ON the dust
OF the road.
"Ah. the heatl Let us go more slow.
ly. John"
mo" replied the other: at viii be
cooler higher up. Let us make haste
aud reach the shade Of the woods. and
beyond there viii be a breeze blow.
ing"
Suddenly as they walked David felt
that they were not alone and. turning
his head. saw third person following
few PAGES behind them. an extremely
tall man. wrapped In n black cloak. As
David turned the mans eyes looked
into his with a steady. unnInchlng
gaze. The black ROBBED figure was only
a short distance behind him. walking
with long, even stride. without
sound. his cloak drawn up To his ears.
covering his mouth and chin.
As David looked he shlvered; then.
turning his head quickly. he walked
rapidly on. urging his companion TO
hnsten.
But Just now you were calling 10 me
70 go slower. and now you want TO
hurry"
Yes; let us hurry-the heatv' And
they passed on. the ardent sun beating
on their backs.
As they went forward David turned
over In his thoughts the strange sight
he had seen behind him. that was be-
hind them now. he felt certain. though
not daring 10 look again, shiver cours-
Ing the length OF his spine ut the
thought OF the muffied figure In that
fierce heat. And John-had he also
seen Il? Did he know what came
swiftly. without sound. at their heels1
He looked cautiously from the corner
OF his eye at his friend without turn
ing his head even slightly. John plod-
ded on. his eyes on the ground and his
big shoes white with the dust. grum-
bling nc the heat. his face dull and ex-
pressionless.
At length they reached the cooler air
where the road climbed between the
archlng trees OF the forest and John
halted TO rest I'm the shadow. He was
older than his friend and tired more
easily.
snow" thought David. ''he win look
back and see" And he watched the
others face narrowly.
They sat on the edge OF the road,
their legs hanging down the bank.
Johns gaze wandered back down the
long stretch over which they had come.
and David waited.
But the old man only looked out from
the shadow with half smile OF salts
faction that 10 much OF the long jour
ney was over his simple countenance
placid with the thought How white
the road isl" he said
"And not many travellers on IT," said
David In hals Question, still looking
earnestly at his comrades face.
mot n creature In sight" answered
John quietly 1--WE have the road 20
ourselves. Others are not such fools 10
come out In this SUM-
David. treasured by this. turned
slowly and looked back. Just below.
by the first tree. in full view. silent.
motlonless. stood the tall figure. a lit
tie nearer than before.
David leaped 10 his feet and ran
along the steep road, stumbling. terri
fed. John saw nothing. and this crea.
ture so close. In plain view. Hurry.
hurry be called back and ran on.
"What has come 10 you? Are you
crazyT cried the old man. zone can't
pause TO rest but you jump and run"
IL ON not-woll | want TO get 7
home" painted David. we have yet 4
far TO 20. We must not waste time
resting"
"You are sick. Yes, you are pale.
Your teeth chatter. We win stop nc .
old Andrews and get you something. 1
IL Is this scorchlng day"
''Yes. YES. we viii stop at old An .
drew's. He VIII cure me. II Is not
rar: only beyond the next turn where
the trees end"
"And we can take the short way /
home from there. the path from the
back OF his house up The Rocks"
Again they walked rapidly onward,
the old man full OF concern for his
friend. the young man looking straight
ahead.
AT the border OF the forest the small
brown house stood on the edge OF old