The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-12-05

horse the spur, never once glancing
behind while the other initiated his
example. holding his animal well in
check. being apparently the bette
mounted.
They rode silently, The way be
came more broken and rough as they
advanced. causing them to exercise
greater caution. Flying clouds Oh
scured the stars, yet through the riffs
jhey caught deeting slimpses sufi-
cient to hold them to their course
And the encroaching hills swept in
closer upon either hand, leaving them
cropping their way between as in a
pocket, yet ever advancing north.
Finally they attained to the steep
bank OF a considerable stream, found
the water of sufficient depth to compel
swimming, and crept up the opposite
shore dripping and miserable, yet with
ammunition dry. Murphy stood swear
ing disjointedly. wiping the blood from
a wound in his forehead where the
jagged edge of a rock had broken the
skin, but suddenly stopped with a
quick intake of breath that left him
painting. The other man crept toward
him. leading his horse.
What is it now?" he asked, grufly.
"Rev' ye got 'em agin?"
The dazed old scout stared, point
ing directly across the others Shout
der, his arm shaking desr arately.
It's thar!-an' it's his face! Oh,
God!-I know it-15 yea.p
The man glanced back ard into the
pitch darkness, but without moving
his body.
There's nuthin' out there, less it's
a freely" he insisted, in tone of con-
tempt. You're plum crazy. Murphy;
the nights got on yer nerves What
is It ye think ye see?"
His face, 1 tell We, Don't l know?
It's all green and CHASTITY, with snaky
flames playin' about it! But I know;
Is years, an | amt forgot"
He sank down feebly-sank until he
was on his knees, his head craned for
ward. The man watching touched the
miserable, hunched-up figure compass
sionately, and it shook beneath his
hand, endeavoring to shrink away.
My Cod was tibet you? l thought
it was him a-reachin' fer me- Here,
let me take yer hand. Oh, Lord An
can't ye 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 naring picture, and
hastily thrust it into his pocket, the
light Of the PHOSPHORUS with which il
had been rubbed being reflected for a
moment on his features.
"A dirty, miserable, 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 q time. Likely es not this
'un is gone by now. Brace UP, man
for you an I have got ter get out O
here afore morntn'"
Then Murphy grasped his arm and
drew himself slowly to his feet.
Don't see nuthin' now, do ye?"
No. 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 ye say, Murphy, as how il
wasn't Nolan after all vino plugged
the major?"
I'm damned-if I did. who-else
was it,"
why | dunno Sorter blamed odd
though, tibet ghost should be a-haunt
in ye Darn if it amt creepy 'nough
ter make a Teller believe most any
thin"
Murphy drew himself up heavily
into his saddle. Then all at once he
showed the muzzle of as" into the
others face Eye say nuther word
bout tibet, an I'll make-a ghost outer
ye-blane lively. Now, we shet up--ii
we ride with me-"
They moved forward at 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 a narrow canyon, ant
crept to the summit of a ridge. Below
lay the broad valley OF the Powder.
Then Murphy turned his head land
looked back into the others face.
CHAPTER xxx.
The Verge of Confession.