Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-07-21

Eyes. we'd better go now; but where's
Mr.. Raven? l expect he'd Ike TO
keep US company"
Mr.. Ravens gone" she said, with
smothered sigh. He has been gone
some little time Let us go now,
father" she added, anxiously; some
how feel as if wanted to get home
When Nellie reached home her soul
was filed with some nameless dread
dread not for herself but for CLIFFORD
Raven the man she loved.
She retired TO her room, but after
few moments she softly crepc
down the stairs. unfastened the door,
and passed out into the cold and dark.
She stood on the threshold. listen
ing fearfully, but the sounds from the
auarry-if, indeed, there had been
any-had ceased; all was silent as the
grave.
Yet, still the dreadful feeling pos
sessed her, and, as if drawn by spell,
she drew a shawl she had caught up
over her head, and went swiftly to the
path leading down the side of the in
cline TO the cottage.
1t was steep, and the night waA
dark, but her feet were too familiar
with it to make false step. In few
minutes she stood on the threshold of
the cottage door-stood like a ghost,
and hesitated. Supposing he would
be there, what would he think of her
for coming to him. alone, at that
hour? What explanation of her visit
could she give? She turned and re-
traced her steps for few yards,
then, with little sob, she breathed:
II must-I must" and hurrying
back to the cottage. looked in.
The room was empty. The light
was on the table, the fire burned
brightly, the kettle was boiling over
on the hob, but the room was empty
She stepped in fearfully, and called
his name timidly.
"Mr. Raven Mr.. Raven"
Silence profound as the stars.
Half mechanically she went to the
fire, and, woman-like, she lifted the
kettle down. AS she did so, she saw a
little pool upon the rug. She STOPPED
down anxiously and touch it with her
fingers.
Then she sprang up and away from
it with a cry of horror and dread,
holding her hand away from her and
glaring at it with wild. distended
eyes; for the pool was blood!
For moment the room seemed to
spin around and she felt sick and
glddy, but she darted to the door of
the next room and opened it. The
room was empty! No second cry
came. Flinging her shawl from her,
as if even it impeded her movements
she caught up the lantern and lit it.
and then darted out through the door,
She held the lantern to the ground
and peered at it, then she uttered
low cry. for the light revealed a thin
line of red.
AS If 1t We're a thread to guide her.
she followed it swiftly, going across
the rough stony path as if her feet
were wings.
Then suddenly she stopped. and set
ting the lantern down. threw herself
on her knees beside that which she
was seeking.
With scream she threw her arms
around the motionless form and
raised it; it was heavy-a dead
weight-but to love the impossible
becomes the Possiblei Faith can
move mountains: love enabled this
girl to perform a miracle!
Foot by foot, yard by yard. she
bore her precious burden and no
thought of her danger, then suddenly
tongue of flame ran up the side of
the quarry, and roar as if thousand
devils had broke loose seemed to
shake the earth.
with cry, pitous cry for mercy
for him, not for herself-she f1una
herself with outstretched arms upon
MS body, that she might shield him
even in DEATH
The huge mass came rolling down.
shower of stones fell with a hideous
clatter, then all was still.
Half stunned, with the blood
trickling down from her forehead
which had been struck by a fragment
OF the rock, she rose to her knees.
trembling and shaking, and drew him
up little nearer to her.
! h.