The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1903-07-04

did not wish that they should observe
him. Just at his lef;. however, was
hazel-copse that offered concealment'
Ii occurred to him that he coul0 sup
into this, and then. by making little
detour, strike the woodlands track
below where 1t curved. A stroll OF
exploration appealed to his humor'
and he was quick to put his idea into
execution, 30 when the two girls ar
rived at the spring they found their
possession of its lyric seclusion undis-
puted. After they had ensconsed
themselves comfortably upon the seat
Miss Merton opened the book which
she had brought with her, uttering
an instant later cry of chagrin.
"How utterly stupid of mel" she
said, showing the page to her cousin
"it's the wrong story"
"Oh, never mind" said Miss Dens-
more.
But do mind" cried Miriam. 1T
was so perfectly foolish of me not to
look. 1 knew the two novels had eN-
actly the same covers. I'm going
back for the other. You'll not be
afraid to stop for few minutes
alone?"
'Why do you trudge back through
all the heat? 1t isn't worth while
Not that care"-glancing about her
little oubtfully-"because | shall
be left alone"
at was SO absolutely silly of me
that I'm going" said Miss Merton,
and she hurried up the slope.
Rossiter, in the meanwhile, had
picked his way with much caution
through the thicket, gained the
more open wood, though everywhere
there was considerable underground,
and come out upon the logging-road.
He walked on for perhaps hundred
PAGES, when he emerged into little
glade where the rillet from the
spring joined larger brook. Here
fallen tree made so inviting a rest
ing-place that he seated himself, in
tending to resume his wanderings af-
ter few moments. AS he glanced
aimlessly about him he spied small
hickory sapling of arrowy straight
ness which he fancied he would like
for staff; accordingly he took from
his pocket the large knife with which
Jack Parmelee had supplied him for
cutting hop-vines, snapped back the
single blade, and approached the min
iature tree. He had bent it over and
made the first incision when wo-
mans Observation-Disclosures a cry Of
terror penetrated with startling
clearness the forest quietude, and it
came from the direction of the
spring. So quickly did Rossiter leap
back that the boughs of the released
sapling had no time to whip his face.
Into his pocket went the knife-he
was sorry afterward he had not kept
it in his hand-and he raced up the |
wood-road with the speed of the run
ner who overcame ATLANTA. When he |
had comprised half the distance be-
tween the glade and the bend another
scream rang out, more full of fright,
it seemed to him, than the first. In
vain he strove to quicken his pace,
He was already sprinting at the top
of his bent. Just before he reached
the turn he was conscious that some
one was running towards him, but
who it was he could not see. owing to
the underground. He heard gasps of
labored breathing. and then Miss
Densmore appeared before him, wild
eyed, her hair half unbound. her face,
despite her exertions, as pale as
bleached linen. Behind her, not more
than ten feet distant, his repelant
exultant rushed a man
"Whiskers!"
The girl on the instant recognized
Rossiter, and moan of despair es-
capped her. She slackened her speed
for just breath in her uncertainty,
and Dawson's outstretched hand al
most gripped her shoulder. Then it
dashed upon her who this was before
her, and with glad cry she sprang
towards him. Intent upon the girl,
her pursuer had given Rossiter no
need, and suddenly found himself in
hat young mans grip and was hurled
backward with such force that he
stumbled and fell upon the sward. .
"You damnable hound!" the pole
ouller cried, standing over him with I
,lenched fists.
"Whiskers" made no response, but Z
'eturned Rossiter's Infatuated gaze ,
With disgusting leer. !
Get up!" commanded the young
nan. Z
IN Mt ell 10 L :,
ct his eyes rove furtively first to one
ide and then to the other, as though 7
t were his intention to take to his !
Ieels, and then suddenly sprang with O
n enraged snarl at Miss Densmore's :.
eScuer. +
want her yerself, do We, Charlie? s
BY God, we sh'n't have her!"
So sudden was the onslaught that
lossiter would have been overborne
ad he not suspected some such move
lent on Dawson's part and been in a h
MEASURE prepared. He shifted his
osition slightly to meet the attack.
nd swung out with a blow which. O
ad it landed fairly, would have given h
he ruffian his quietus then and there.
t was turned aside, however, by an h
plifted arm, and the next moment
'ossiter felt a steely clamp upon his q
hroat. He tore away his assailant's
and by desperate effort, but he 4
ad cause to remember those terri
lie fingers for days afterwards. The =
wo men now stood cycling one an =
ther, and as Rossiter moved a step n
o gain a firmer foothold, for the II
round was uneven and spongy, he k
'as conscious of Miss Densmore not
ar distant crouching against tree. r
Don't stand there!" he cried to fc
er, "Run for God,S sol,aTv