The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-03-18
ByR. G. PTr9ER.


THE red sun had disappeared behind
the range, and the narrow gulch
was filled with shadows before Everett
gave up. Then he sat down on a
bowlder and wiped the sweat from
his face.
TITS on me- he said, ruefu11y, as he
threw his sketch-book aside. They
told me not to get among the pines.
Oh, yes, knew it all, of course. |
couldn't possibly get lost with the
town right below me all the time. or
course not. Here am, theugh-heaven
knows Where-a good many miles
from nowhere, and night is falling.
II win be pleasant; 1t will be decidedly
pleasant"
He leaned back and made a vim
dictiye kick at the sketch-book. A
breeze ran through the wooded hills,
and the murmuring pines lifted their
voices into a solem4l eVensong. Far
away, an owl booted. and the scream
Of q night-hawk answered from near
at hand. Everett shivered and stood
up.
81 must go on" he said doggedly.
ttThis creek runs somewhere, and it's
up to me to follow it,
He started with bowed head, but
he had not gone far before he stopped,
and his fact lighted up.
by Jove." he exclaimed, "a path!
I'm a1l right, after all. Some one lives
MP there in the woods.
The path was old and W0fn, and
rains had washed it down into the
earth, while here and there grass and
weeds INSTRUCTED it, but it did not look
entirely deserted. Beneath the trees,
dusk had already settled, and the tall,
straight trunks. unobstructed by
brushwood, stretched away on all sides
into the shadows.
For a time Everett went along
cheerfulIy enough, but soon the melan-
choly Of twilight began to take posses
sion OF him, and he felt the sombre
influences Of the forest, the murmur
and the distant cries Of the night
birds. He stopped moment and drew
long breath.
1t feels eerie in here" he muttered,
"and lonesome. By George! didn't
know that I was SO tired" In fact,
he suddenly discovered that his body
ached, and that his brain was ex-
hausted: SO exhausted that, for an
instant, film gathered before his
eyes, and he heard loud buzzing in
his ears. He sat down and leaned
against q pine.
Il wonder where they live he solil-
oquized. Seems funny that anybody
would want to live in this place, but
there's no accounting for tastes
AS he thought this he heard a low
whistle ahead Of him, and listened.
Yes, there it was again: some one was
climbing the path above him. Everett
started up, ana soon caught sight of
shadowy form fitting before him
through the dusk. The whistle
stopped, and girls voice began to
sfng-a melodious Groom, of which the
words We're barely distinguishable
"O-hoo-ho!" Everett called, in the
long-drawn-out cry of the hills. Wont
you wait for me, please? I'm lost"
The girls voice did not falter; she
seemed wrapped in some pleasing
dream, and her low song foated gent
ly to the tourists ear.
Voice Of the night-wind. mournfully
stealing,
/ lisfaIYa3 for
Everett called again. .tI'm
you wait for me?"
been where blossoms of
fountains-''
Can't you hear me3
voice died away into ST.
went straight On.
fightensd,' Everett con-
rasingly. I'm a tourist. |
ON the springs this after
bst myself
H voice rose again in o Bow
It Of The forest primaeval-
moon never hallows the |
ek-howing river |
patience was exhausted.
is teeth together end ran up
1t was hard work, and when |
Suddenly into narrow glade, |
gasping for breath. 1t vas
in the opening. and he could /
oung girl not far ahead OF him. /
e short. ilIzftttng gown; her
uncovered. and her white |
winkled through the grass. /
saw that the girl was bare
Everett smiled. and fancied
knew the reason for her 81
1d haste; she was ashamed to
~ by a stranger. =