Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-07

and he was quick to put his idea into execution, so when the two girls ar- rived at the spring they found their possession of it's 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 a cry of chagrin. :
 How utterly stupid of mel" she said, showing the page to her cousin, tits the wrong story"
 "Oh, never mind!" said Miss Dens- more.
 But do mind!" cried Miriam. ''Tt was so perfectly foolish of me not to look. knew the two novels had ex- actly the same covers. Pm going back for the other. You'll not be afraid to stop for a few minutes alone2"
 ''Why do you trudge back through all the heat? It isn't worth while. Not that I care"-glancing about her a little doubtfully-"because I shall be left alone" ..
 "It 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 undergrowth, and come out upon the logging-road. He walked on for perhaps hundred paces, when he emerged into little glade where the rillet from the spring joined a larger brook. Here l a fallen tree made so inviting rest l ing-place that he seated Himself, in- tending to resume his wanderings af ter a few moments. As he glanced aimlessly about him he, spied small. hickory sapling of arrowy straight ness which he fancied he would like for a,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 l made the first incision when a Wo- mans scream -unmistakably cry of terror - penetrated with startling c1earness 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 1t in his hand-and he raced up the wood-road with thE speed of the run ner who overcame Atalanta. When he; had compassed half the distance be-, i tween the glade and the bend another scream rang put, 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 l of his bent. Just before he reached 1 the turn he was conscious that some I one was running towards him, but l who it was he could not see, owing to l the undergrowth. He heard gasps of l labored breathing, and then Miss l Densmore appeared before him, wild eyed, her hair half unbound, her face, despite her exertions, as pale as bleached linen. Behind her, not more. l than ten feet distant, his repellant I count ntenance exultant, rushed a man F'Whiskers!" ... Y. l The girl on the instant recognized Rossiter, and a moan of despair es- l capped her. She slackened her speed for just breath in her uncertainty, and Dawson's outstretched hand all most gripped her shoulder. Then it 1 flashed upon her who this was before her, and with a glad cry she sprang. towards him. Intent upon the girl, 1 her pursuer had given Rossiter no heed. and suddenly found himself in
 nung mans grip and was hurled
 I'd with such force that he stu4..oled and fell upon the sward.
 ''You damnable hound!" the pole puller cried, standing over him with clenched fists.
 FsWhiskers' made no response, but returned Rossiter's infuriated gaze with disgusting leer.
 I "Get up!" commanded the young man.
 I The yagrant rose slowly to his feet, let his eyes rove furtiyely first to one side and then to the other, as though !. it were his intention to take to his l heels, and then suddenly sprang with an enraged snarI at Miss Densmores rescuer.
 s'Want her yerself, do ye, Charlie :? By God, ye sh'n't have her!"
 So sudden was the onslaught that ] Rossiter would have been overborne had he not suspected some such move ment on Dawson's part and been in a measure prepared. He shifted his position slightly to meet the attack, and swung out with blow which, had it landed fairly, would have given the rufian his quietus then and there It was turned aside, however, by an uplifted arm, and the next moment Rossiter felt a steely clamp upon his throat. He tore away his assailant's s hand by desperate effort, but he l had cause to remember those terri ble fingers for days afterwards. The two men now stood eyeing one an- other, and as Rossiter moved a step to gain frmer foothold, for the ground was uneven and spongy, he was conscious of Miss Densmore not far distant crouching against a tree.