The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-08-05

It's thar!-an' it's mis- face! Oh,
Godl-I know it's year"
The man glanced backward into the
pitch darkness, but without moving
his body
There's nuthin out there, less it's
a FREELY" he insisted in a tone of con
tempt. You're plum crazy, Murphy;
the nights got on yer nerves. What
is it ye think ye see?"
His face, tell yei Don't I know?
It's all green and CHASTITY, with snaky
flames playin' about it. But | know;
10 years, an I amt forgot"
He sank down feebly-sank until he
was on his knees, his head craned for
ward The man watching touched the
miserable, huncbed-up figure compass
sionately, and it shook beneath his
hand, endeavoring to shrink away.
MY God! was tibet you? l thought
it was him a-reachin' fer me. Here,
let me take yer hand. Oh, Lord. An
can't We see? It's just there beyond
them horses-all green, crawlin', dew
ilish-but it's him
"Who?"
'"Brant! Brant-15 year,"
"Brant? Fifteen years? Do you
mean Maj. Brant, the one Nolan killed
over at Bethune?"
"He-he didn't"
The old man heaved forward, his
head rocking from side to side; then
suddenly he toppled over on his face,
gasping for breath. His companion
caught him and ripped open the heavy
flannel shirt. Then he strobe savage
ly across in front of his shrinking horse,
tore down the flaring picture, and
hastily thrust it into his pocket, the
light of the PHOSPHORUS with which it
had been rubbed being reflected for a
moment on his features.
"A dirty, misera HE, low-down trick, +"
he muttered. Poor old devil! Yet
I've got to do it for the little girl"
He stumbled back through the dark
ness, his hat filled with water, and
dashed it into Murphy's face. Come
on, Murphy! There's one good thing
bout spooks; they don't hang round
fer long at time. Likely es not this
'un is gone by now. Brace up, man,
for you an l haves got ter get out O.
here afore mornin'."
Then Murphy grasped his arm and
drew himself slowly to his feet.
Don't see nuthin' now, do ye?"
mo. Where's my-horse?"
The other silently reached him the
loose rein, marking as he did so the
quick, nervous peering this way and
that, the starting at the slightest
sound.
did We say, Murphy, as how it
wasn't Nolan after all who plugged
the major?"
I'm damned-if I did. Who-else
was it?"
why, dunno. Sorter blamed odd
though, thet ghost should be a-haunt.
in We. Darn if it amt creepy 'nough
ter make a Teller believe most any,
thin"
Murphy drew himself up heavily
into his saddle. Then ali at once he
| showed the muzzle of a AS into the
others face. Eye say nuther word
| bout tibet, an I'll make-a ghost outer
ye-blame lively. Now. We shet up-ii
| We ride with me-"
| They moved forward at a walk and
reached a higher level, across which
the night wind swept, bearing a touch
of cold in its breath as though coming
from the snow-capped mountains tc
| the west. There was renewed life in
this invigorating air and Murphy
spurred forward, his companion press
| ing steadily after.
When the first signs of returning
day appeared in the east, the two left
their horses in narrow canyon, and
| crept to the summit of ridge Below
lay the broad valley of the Powder
Then Murphy turned his head and
/ looked back into the others face