Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-01-17

What is it; man.
There there! The picture! Don't
you see?"
Nav; don't see nuthin'. Ye amt
gone cracked, hev We? Whose pic.
ture?"
ITS thereto Lord!-it's therel
My God! can't We see?-An' it's his
facial a-gleamin with green flames
Holy Mary-an' | amt seen it
afore in-15 year,"
He seemed suddenly to collapse, and
the stranger permitted him to drop
limp to the earth.
Darn If l kin see anythin', old
man, but I'll scout round thar a bit,
jest ter ease yer mind, an see what
kin skeer up" 49,.
He had hardly taken half dozen
steps before Murphy called after him:
"Don't-don't go an leave me-it's
not there now-thet's queer!"
The other returned and stood gazing
down upon his huddled figure. You're
a fine scout! afeard O. spooks. Do We
take these yere turns often? Fer II
ye do, l reckon as how I'd sooner be
ridin' alone"
Murphy struggled to his feet and
gripped the others arm. Never he'd
nuthin' like it-afore. But-but it was
thar-all creepy-an' green-ain't seen
tibet face-in Is year."
What facet" .-a .~=
"A fellow l knew-once. He
he's dead"
The other grunted disdainfully. bad
luck ter see them Sort" he volun-
teered, solemnly. Blame glad II
Warnt me es see it, an don't know
as l keer much right now bout keep
In company with We fer very long.
However, reckon if either of us cal
culates on doin' much ridin ternight,
we better stop foolin' with ghosts, an
go ter saddlin' up" I'D ...s. e#
They made rapid work of it, the
newcomer proving somewhat loqua-
cious, yet holding his voice to a Judi
cious whisper. 1t was he who led the
way down the bank, the four horses
slowly splashing through the shallow
water to the northern shore. Before
Them stretched broad plain, the sur
face rocky and uneven, the northern
stars obscured by ridges of higher
land. Murphy promptly gave his
horse the spur, never once glancing
behind, while the other initiated his
example, holding his animal we'll in
check, being apparently the better
mounted. .'--s
They rode silently. The way be-
came more broken and rough as they
advanced, causing them to exercise
greater caution. Flying clouds OBJ
scured the stars, yet through the riffs
they caught fleeing glimpses sufi-
Client to hold them to their course.
And the 'encroaehing hills swept In
closer upon either hand. leaving them
cropping their way between as In
pocket, yet ever advancing north.
Finally they attained to the steep
bank Of 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
wound In his forehead where the
jagged edge of a rock had broken the
skin, but suddenly stopped with
quick intake of breath that left him
painting. The other man crept toward
him, leading his horse
What is it now" he asked, grufiy.
"Hev' We got EN- agin?"
The dazed old scout stared, point
ing directly across the others shout
der, his arm shaking desperately.
IT'S thar!-an' it's his face! Oh,
God!-1 know it-15 year"
The man glanced backward into the
pitch darkness, but without moving
his body.
There's nuthin' out there, less it's
FREELY he insisted, in tone of con-
tempt. You're plum crazy, Murphy;
the nights got on yer nerves. What
Is 1t ye think We see?"
His face, l tell ye! Don't know?
It's all green and CHASTITY, with snaky.
flames playin' about it! But know;
Is years, an l 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 1t shook beneath his
hand, endeavoring to shrink away.
MY God! was tibet you? l thought
1t 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?" 'F-
"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,
fora do,v, fha Aoripo vio&,ro 81