The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-08-25
~ LOST ON DUNKERRY BEA
A Tale of Exmoore. By A. L. M, Author of 1.-The Secret Cave"

told he II 1t showed to come straight here
and you wouldn't turn he away. master"
quite right" said Mr.. Blake. but Their,
was an uneasy look on his face Us he laic
down his pipe and SAID:
"He must have been going to the Wears
! will go at once and see If he expected any
one. No one shall spend a night on Dun,
kerry If 1 can help it. You stay TIL 1 re-
turn. men, he added. Maybe there viii be
work afore us. / won't be long"
Taking a fine sheep dog as his companion
the farmer left the house. but the difficulty
of walking made him longer than he had
hoped TO be, and it was past 9 when the
tower of Luccombe Church rose before him
Entering the vicarage gate, he rang a peal
that brought the good man himself-a tan,
stalwart man. with grizzled hair and a rug
ged. kindly face.
Mr.. Harvey was a widower. with one son.
a soldier. who had Just returned from the
Peninsula campaign.
"Ha. MIR. Blake; / was in hopes II was q
young friend 1 was expecting" he said.
What a night II is, Come in and have a
warm while you tell me your errand."
1T Is one that Will admit Of no delay,
str" replied Blake. Il fear your friend Is
lost on Dunkerry. Evan met him there this
morning. and offered 10 guide him here, but
he seemed sure OF the way. I'll bring him
safe to you. sir. l hope"
IF God willr" replied Mr.. Harvey. "Ths
foolish boy. not TO take warning. HAROLD
raising HIS voice. 'Oliver Grey Is lost on
Dunkerry Beaconr'
In q moment a handsome. soldieriy man.
about Grey's age. had Joined his father in
the hall. and shaking Blake's hand warmly.
he said:
NJ father must not go with you for fear
OF rheumatism. but ] will do so at once"
Neither OF you. sir. II you please. / have
plenty of men, and We will put him up Mt
the farm. I'll send you word IN an hour or
SO II all is safe. j am glad / came"
80 am !, and We heartily thank you. kind
friend" said the Vicar. as the farmer
plunged into the darkness.
Quick. ladsI" cried his hearty voice. az
he opened HIS own door. 1T is a matter OF
life and death. He has not arrived At the
Wears, who was expecting him"
Light the lantern: and. wife. get a room
ready, with a good fire in 1T: fill my flask.
too. Joan. and Evan. we must take a hur-
die and some rugs. Pray God. the poor
fellow may he alive"
Mrs. Blake said nothing, but filled her
husbands flask and piled warm rugs on the
hurdle which Evan brought In. Six men
and two. fine dogs. who by their furious
barking, seemed to enjoy the fun. stood ut
the door ready to start. They made q pic
turesque group. with the lighted lanterns
falling in red beams upon the snow; ana be-
hind. the two women. their figures thrown
in strong relief against the cheerful blaze
within.
Have good fires. Joan. We will hope to
bring him home SAFE said Mr.. Blake. as he
led the way.
Up the hill they toll. knee-deep In snow
as they go. and the dogs finging IT 10 right
and left as they dash through 1t, barking
f~uriously.
1T is clearing" said Farmer Blake. "The
wind has lulled and stars are coming out
Maybe there'n be a FROST"
We'll. thank the good Lord II there be.
master. the sheep will want for nothing"
said Evan.
NO. nor the 'osses." said the carter.
Every man for his own laughed MI.
Blake. but the Lord. / trust. for us all.
Huilo. look az old Rough. He has found
something" for the dog was smiling the
ground with a whining crv.
'Ah. that he does" said Evan.
warned the gentleman himself. rs plain as
dog could speak. Come. let US on. OId
Rough is never mistaken"
Reaching the cluster OF furze bushes we
have seen before. the dog literally yelled
with joy. and tearing up a red handkerchief
hardly discernible In the snow that covered
It. brought 1t to his master.
Sure of finding the lost traveller now. the
men tore away the bushes. and In a few
minutes Rough was licking Oliver Grey's
cold. white face.
Here he Isl" cried Mr.. Blake. stay.
lads: let me see II he Is living
There was a very faint pulsation at the
throat. and the farmer dropped n little
brandy between the rigid lips. before they
wrapped him in blankets and laid him on
the hurdle. which was carried by five men,
one being sent In advance 10 the farm. MIR.
Blake only feared the little spark OF life
might be quenched before reaching home.
As fast as they could the little party strobe
onward till a bright light from the upper
window OF the farmhouse showed there
were anxious womanly eyes on the watch.
and ready with eager hands to do womanly
work: and so through the open gate they
carried their burden into the farmhouse.