The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-01-10

4
edge OF the use Of roots and herbs He
brewed muddy pungent tea, which
David drank. and Mary, the wife
placed extra plates ut the table and IN
sisted on the travellers taking supper.
let David rest, she said 9and if
he is better after supper YOU can 30
home in the evening BY the short cut
/ There win be a moon, or he may stay
the night if not strong enough to SO
home
/ So 1t was arranged Old Andrew and
John talked together Of the simple,
worn subjects of their rude lives-tlle
poverty of the soil. the long season
without rain. the many hardships that
befall the farmer
The wife piled David with questions
about the town WAS there a big
crowd at the fair? And the weather
was 1t fine every day? 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 go on and was anxious
to reach his family, SO 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
| ly, calling back to 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 silvered by the moon. AT
some places rock jutting out cast be-
low 1t a dense shadow amid the sur
sounding Wilderness
| AS they climbed David tried to force
himself to turn and face the man in
1 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. He could not brave
1t again. He watched his comrade
climb above him slowly. Slowly he
climbed after and, CHANGING down, saw
| the edge Of the black cloak blown up
ward against his legs
He stopped and put his hands over
his eyes who are you?" 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-
4 ly. Nov. your Manner
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 to step, pausing often. He
could feel the other pressing up be-
hind him, ever nearer
When they reached the railing above,
David stopped. with his hand upon It,.
Nov, your name?"
'Do you not known"
The moonlight fell with tender beau
ty over the broad valley below. upon
the white road. upon the forest trees.
upon the small brown house at the
foot of the cliff. 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 Manner
David's hand closed firmly on the
wooden rail, and he leaned heavily
against 1t for support. An arm closed
round him,
q am so near-so near. Do you not
know"
There was sharp sound of breaking
wood as the rotten timber parted in
two, and David fell outward, his strug-
Cling feet scraping 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
was Death.