The Montgomery tribune., 1908-06-05


cious whisper. II was he who led the
way down the bank, the four horses
slowly splasbing 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 gIancing
behind, while the other initiated his
example, holding his animal we'll in
check, being apparently tho better
mounted
They rode silently. The way be
came more broken and rough rs they
advanced, causing them to exercise
greater caution. Flying clouds OBJ
scured the stars, yet through the riffs
they caught feeting glimpsea sufa.
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
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 rock had broken the
skin, but suddenly stopped with
quick intake of breath that left him
tiao rth I'D
him, leading his horse.
What is it now?" he asked, grufiiy.
"Hev ye got 'em agin?"
The dazed old scout stared, point
ing directly across the others shoul
der, his arm shaking desperately.
IT'S thar!-an' it's his face! Oh
| God!-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
FREELY" he insisted, in tone of con
tempt You're plum crazy, Murphy
the nights got on yer nerves. Wha
is it ye think ye see?"
His face, l tell ye! Don't | know.
It's all green and CHASTITY, with snaky
flames playin' about it! But l know;
Is years, an amt fergot."
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 God! was thet 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, dev
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; theI
suddenly he toppled over on his face
gasping for breath. His companion
caught him and ripped open the heav!
flannel shirt. Then he strobe savage
ly across in front of his shrinking horse
tore down the flaring picture, ant
hastily thrust it into his pocket, tn,
light of the PHOSPHORUS with which 4
had been rubbed being reflected for {
moment on his features.
"a dirty, miserable, low-down trick.
he muttered. Poor old devil! Ye
I've got to do it for the little girl"
He stumbled back through the dark
ness, his hat filled with water, and
dashed 1t into Murphy's face. Come
on, Murphy! There's one good thing
bout spuoks; they don't hang 'rount
fer long at time. Likely es not thi!
'un is gone by now. Brace up, man
for you an have got ter get out o
here afore mornin'."
Then Murphy grasped his arm ant
drew himself slowly to his feet.
Don't see nuthin' now, do ye?"
mo. Where's my-horse?"
The other silently reached him thu
loose rein, marking as he did SO tn,
quick, nervous peering this way ant
that, the starting at the slightes
sound.
did We say, Murphy, as how
wasn't Nolan after all who plugged
the major?"
I'm damned-if d.s. Who-els,
was it?"
why, dunno. Sorter blamed ode
though, thet ghost should be a-haunt
in We. Darn if it amt creepy 'nougl
ter make feller believe most any
thin"
Murphy drew himself up heavil.
into his saddle. Then all at once h,
showed the muzzle of as" into tn,
others face. "Ye say nuther word
bout tibet, an I'll make-a ghost QUITE
ye-blame lively. Now. ye shet up-i
We ride with me-"