Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-03-13
1heFollower
"a II
A Weird Story OF One Wrapped
In q Black Cloak.

in the valley to their homes in the
hamlet hanging high above them
against the mountain.
As 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 anticipa-
tion Of their welcome home. Occasion
ally they stopped under the overhang-
ing branches of an orchard and ate APP
pies, or they kneeled by n spring, max
ing a 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 heat! Let us go more slow
ly, John"
"No." replied the other; sit will be
cooler higher up. Let us make haste
and reach the shade of the woods, ard
beyond there will be a breeze blow
ing"
Suddenly as they walked David felt
that they were not alone and, turning
his head, saw a third person following
a few PAGES behind them, an extremely
tall man, wrapped in a black cloak. AS
David turned the mans eyes looked
into his with a steady. ~unfinching
gaze. The black robed figure was only
a short distance behind him, walking
with a long. even stride, without
/. sound. his cloak drawn up to his ears,
covering his mouth and chin.
AS David looked he shivered; then,
turning his head quickly. he walked
rapidly on. urging his companion to
hasten.
"But Just now you were calling to me
to go slower. and now you want to
hurry"
Yes; let us hurry-the heat!" And
they passed on. the ardent sun beating
cn their backs.
AS they went forward David turned
e in his thoughts the strange sight
he had seen behind him. that was be-
hind them now, he felt certain, though
not daring to look again. a shiver cours-
Ing the length OF his spine at the
thought of the mufiled figure In hat
fierce heat. And John-had he also
seen 1t? Did he know what came
swiftly, without sound. st their heels?
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 at the heat. his face dull and ex.
pressionless.
AT length they reached the cooler air
where the road climbed between the
arching trees Of the forest, and John
halted to rest in the shadow. He was
older than his friend and tired more
easily.
Now" thought David. .'he will look
back and see" And he watched the
others face narrowly.
They sat on the edge of the road.
their legs hanging down tie 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 a half smile OF salts.
faction that no 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 half question. still looking
earnestly at his comrades face.
mot a creature In sight" answered
John quietly. 1--WE have the road 20
ourselves. Others are not such fools to
come out In this sum-
David. treasured by this, turned
slowly and looked back. Just below.
by the first tree, In full view. silent.
motionless, stood the tall figure, a lit
tie nearer than before.
David leaped to 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" he called back and ran on.
"What has come to you? Are you
crazy" cried the old man. "0na can't
pause to rest but you jump and Il"
ST. am not-well. I want % get
home" painted David. Eve have yet
far to 60. We must not waste time
resting"
"You are sick. Yes, you are pale.
o Ieetn Scnatter. we Will stop ut
old Andrews and get you something.
II Is this scorching day"
"Yes, yes, we win stop at old An.
drew's. He win cure me. 1t is not
far; 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
Andrews scanty farmland. the poor.
half barren land of these mountain
EARNS. Beyond the few fields that
stretched up gradually from the back
CT che house rose abruptly 1.-THE
Rocks" a high cliff. rcaching far along
the side OF the mountain, sheer, for
bidding. its bald face crossed by a