The Delta independent., 1906-06-15
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ANDzz:K NICKEL.
By. WALTER. BURR.

we come ter the Burnin' Hills. Peers as
mSg though I could feel the heat right now.
Ing good view Of the lower hills, and as
they looked down into the darkness they
could coS see distinctly long lines Of glowing
fiery serpcnts. The redness pulsated like
thing Of life. and as 1t did so the very
Then suddenly ali was darkness again.
Yer see" she continued, II may be n
coward. an, all thet. Mebbe SO. II may
an we got ter cross tibet place.
The brave young man was getting really
scared He had never before been out In
the mountains In the night time, and the
awful stiffness. broken now and then by
unpleasant sounds peculiar TO the mountain
country. awed and frightened him. His
teeth were fairly chattering.
"l-l-wish we had started back sooner, -
IL was so bad"
''Yer might a had purity good idea." sh.,
answered; but II ain'f a-goin' to do no
good ter git scared now. Come along
By this, time they were nearing the
dreaded place Suddenly. as she reached
forward her foot TO take a step, she realized
uncommon warmth came upward. and in
another instant the faint glow was seen.
brink some three feet away. Leaping across
she called to her companion, Mind yer
sye'' They had changed places-she was
what is itf'' he asked. as he neared the
place: Just then he. took the fatal step.
and felt himself falling. But the girl was
quick. Suddenly reaching out her arm, she
grasped him by the hand and fairly drag
ged him across the chasm:
We'll. never" he exclaimed in fright
That's something awful don't you know.
say are there many more Ike thntr'
Come on. an quit yer talkin'," was the
..Rut ssv 7 wo-hifs II isn't .sfe ia II, ,"
Il ain't atenrd.:" she answered: "if you
an ind the highest peak -
Blast the little imp," he muttered. II
i sSnder II shes going 70 go away and
would serve me right. for l suppose it's all
ny own fault But really, had no Idea
th.rs vas snv truth IN Whist she said
leave me all sIonc,'' And there her cane came into into
his throat something very like a sob
IN Look Loo out there" he heard her call; and
ahead OF him. Don't try to. walk thar. or
yeri fail In. sure. It's wide. tell yer.
can't stay here NIL night
,,, Mehee yer could jump across, did
sarcastic. bot not without purpose. The
child was beginning TO see that III. young
man would need every Incentive she could
forts, She had DO doubt OF her own ability
TO clear all the chasms. but sh. was quite
sure tlat her companion was not accus-
TONED to such tricks, Now. he stood Ike
scared child on the opposite side Of the
ditch. II the situation bad not been so
serious. II would have been comlcal.
Wei. yer comln'r' she asked. i'm
patiently.
He stepped back for a run. but when he
came TO the edge again he stopped short
and looked rucfully al the red glow beneath
him He held out his hand and drew II
hack suddenly. as he felt the intense heat,
Then what little courage he possessed for
snok him, and he began to whimper.
Il Just emit make IT. Two-bits. Whatever
shall ! dor'
wall. drawlei the maiter-of. fact giri.
4 s'pose could go ahead an git some of
the feliers from town ter come out an help
yer across; They'll make no end Of fun OF
yer though"
Blast the fun!'' be cried Hurry up
and get me out Of this. most anyway"
'.Ail right. Stay where you are, and I'll
be back after while" and she bounded
away like n deer. leaving George Casey
sitting there In tn. night alone.
Minutes dragged like hours. and the dark
ness seemed TO grow thicker every moment.
except when II was penetrated by that nm.
canBy glow from down below. Then. as he