The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-08-06

Of earth down which be had plunged.
It's Zap flung aside revealed within q
Pile Of dlsarfanged blankets, together
Win some sea efed ARTICLES 81 Weas'
ing apparel While Just bsfcfe .le
opening his back presEed AGAINST ne
supporting pole, IN inverted PIPE re.
tween hid yellow, Irregular teeth CT
sa hideous looking mar. he was 9
withered, dried.up fellow, whose age
was MOTTO be guessed, having g skin
as yellow as parchment drawn In
tight TO the bones like that Of Q
mummy his eyes deep sunken like
wells, and his head totally devoid Of
hair, although about his lean throat
there was a copious fringe Of iron-gray
beard, untrimmed and scraggy. Down
the entire side Of one cheek ran 9
Iiyid scar, while his nose was turned
awry.
He sat staring at the newcomer
inwinking, his facial expression de-
void Of interest, but his fingers open
ing and closing in apparent nervous
ness. Twice his lips opened, but moth
ing except peculiar gurgle sound Is
sued from the throat. and Brant, who
by this time had attained his feet and
his selfpossession, yentured to ad'
dress him.
Nice quiet spot for camp" he re
marked, pleasantly, but a bad place
for = tumble"
The sunken eyes expressed nothing
but the throat gurgled again painfully
and finally the parted lips dropped 9
detached word or two. Blame
pretty girl-that."
The lieutenant wondered how much
Of their conversation this old mummy
had overheard, but he hesitated to
question him. One inquiry, however
sprang to his surprised lips. DO you
know herr"
Damn ht-better-than any one
around here-know her-real name"
Brant stared incredulously. DO you
mean to insinuate that that young
woman Is living in this community un
der an assumed one? Why, she is
scarcely more than a child! What dc
you mean, man%
The soldiers hat still rested on the
grass where It had fallen, its military
insignia hidden.
II guess-I know-what I-know,
the fellow muttered. "What's-yuul
regiment"
Seventh cavalry"
The man stiffened up as II an cleo
trio shock had swept through his limr
frame. THE hell!-and-did-she-
call you-Brant?"
The young officers face exhibited
his disgust. Beyond doubt that Sc
questered nook was favorite loung
ing spot for the girl, and this disrepu
table creature had been watching hel
for some sinister purpose.
$50 you have been eavesdropPlng
have yoi?" said Brant, gravely. "And
now you want to try turn at defam
ing a woman? Well, you have come
to a poor market for the sale Of such
goods. am half inclined to throw
you bodily into the creek. believe
you are nothing but a common liar
but I'll give you one chance-you say
you know her real name. What is tt?'
The eyes Of the mummy had become
spiteful. "Its-none of-your damn
business. Tm-not under-your or
ders."
Under my orders! OF course not;
but what do you mean by that? Who
and what are you?"
The fellow stood up, slightly hump
backed but broad Of shoulder his
arms long, his legs short and some
what bowed, his chin protruding i'm
pudently and Brant noticed an oddly
shaped black scar, as If burned there
by powder, on the back Of his right
hand.
"Who-am II" he said, angrily. Tin
Silent murphy"
An expression of bewilderment
swept across the lieutenant's face
Silent Murphy! Do you claim to be
Clusters scout?"
The fellow nodded. "Heard-of me
-maybe7"
Brant stood staring at him, his mind
occupied with vague garrison rumors
connected with this odd personality.
The name had long been a familiar
one, and he had often had the mao
pictured out before him. There could
remain no reasonable doubt Of his
identity, hut what was he doing there?
yes, I've heard Of you,"-and his
crisp tone instinctively became that
Of terse military although
we have never met, for l have been
upon detached service ever since my
assignment TO the regiment. have a
troop in camp below" he pointed
down the stream, and am in com
mand here"
The scout nodded carelessly.
"Why did you not come down there
.I ...,... ,.,,o,aroo T., tbiv natrh.