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

"Yes yes. Andrew. Andrew" She
raised her voice and called into the
house over her shoulder. Come In.
both OF youl lie Is somewhere about.
II Is cool In the house at the shady
side. and Dave can lie down there"
David cast one brief glance back
ward as he followed the others into the
house. In the road just beyond the
gate and looking over II stood the one
that followed.
Old Andrew was held In high esteem
among the mountain people as half
doctor. half wizard. with his knowl-
edge OF the use OF roots and herbs. He
brewed a muddy. pungent tea, which
David drank. and Mary. the wife.
placed extra plates nj the table and In
sisted on the travellers taking supper.
LET David rest" she said. ''and II
he II better after supper you can 90
home IN the evening by the short cut.
There viii be moon. or he may stay
the night II not strong enough TO 20
home"
SO II was arranged. Old Andrew and
John talked together OF the simple,
worn subjects al their rude llves-the
poverty OF the SOIL the long season
without rain. the many hardshlps that
bcfall the farmer.
The wife piled David with questions
about the town. WAS there big
crowd nc the fair? And the weather
was II fine every dayi Did you see the
cows from the Duncan FARM and so
on. David answered absently. think
Ing Of the waiting stranger outside the
gate.
When the twilight fell. the young
man felt able to 20 on and was anxious
to reach his family, NO the two men
set out along the path through the
rocky fields AS they reached the base
OF "The Rocks" and began the steep
ascent the moon rose.
John led the way, stepping cautious
~. calling back 20 the other TO avoid
the uncertain footholds.
But David. climbing after. thought
Of nothing but the somber shape that
had waited outside and had followed
close across the fields after them and
which he felt climbed up and up be-
hind him. step for step.
There was no sound except when at
intervals loose stone rolled down, dis
lodged by their feet. The night was
beautiful. The broad face OF the cliff
shone In the moonlight. Here and
there along the edge OF the path. where
there was danger. rude ratings had
been placed TO protect the traveller.
These were sllvered by the moon. At
some places rock juttlng out cast be
low Il dense shadow amid the sur
sounding whlteness.
As they climbed David tried TO force
himself 20 turn and face the man In
the black cloak and question him, his
name, his mission, why he followed.
gaining steadily step by step. but he
lacked courage. Once he had met that
cold. steady gaze. lie could not brave
Il again. lie watched his comrade
climb above him slowly. Slowly he
climbed after and. glanclng down, saw
the edge OF the black cloak blown up
ward against his legs.
lie stopped and put his hands over
his eyes. who are your" he said in a
low. broken voice. "Why do you fol-
low. pressing nearer and nearerT
And voice answered at his ear.
while the folds OF the cloak. blown up
ward. tapped about him. you shall
know my name when you are at the
end Of your Journey"
mo. nowr' whispered David hoarse-
ly. "Now. your name!"
FARTHER on" came the voice. when
you reach the next railing"
And they climbed on again In the
moonlight. John had gone round a
turn OF the path out OF sight. David
advanced feebly. rising laboriously
from step 10 step, pausing often. He
could feel the other pressing up be
hlnd him, ever nearer.
When they reached the railing above,
David stopped. with his hand upon II.
"Now. your nameT
do you not known
The moonlight fell with tender beau
~ over the broad valley below. upon
the white road. upon the forest trees,
upon the small brown house at the
foot OF the cli1f The black cloak float.
ed about his head, before his eyes. COM
ing between them and the fair picture.
A hand fell upon his. grasplng the rail-
Ing.
"Your name. Your name"
Davld's hand closed firmly on the |
wooden rail, aud he leaned heavily |
against il for support. An arm closed
round him.
II am 50 ncar-so near. DO you not
know"
There was a sharp sound OF breaking |
wood ms the rotten timber parted In |
two. and David fell outward, his strug. |
Cling feet scraplng along the rock. As
he fell the folds OF black swept round
him. the arm embraced him more close
~. and they went down together. And |
David knew that the one that followed
,,sus nautI