, 1908-10-15
aenenyr

Murphy's strained vision the new
conner appeared somewhat slender In
build, and of good height.
"Whar'd-ye say ye-wus bound?"
Mouth O. the Powder. We kin ride
~tergether fer . night or two"
I'VE kin-do A. ye-please. butt
amt . huntin'-no company.-an' I'm
a'-goin' cross now"
He advanced a few strides toward
his horses. Then suddenly he gave
vent to q smothered CRY. 20 startling
Is to cause the stranger to spring
hastily after him.
"oh! My God! Obi Look therei"
What is It, mani"
There! thereI The picture! Don't
you seeT"
zone cracked, hev ye? Whose pic
ture?"
Its thereto Lord!-its thereI
My God can't ye see?-An' it's his
facial a-gleamin' with green flames
Holy Mary-an' I amt seen it
afore in-15 year,"
He seemed suddenly to collapse. and
the stranger permitted him to drop
limp to the earth.
Darn II I kin see anythin', old
man, but I'll scout round thar a bit,
Jest ter ease yer mind, n see what 1
kin skeer up"
He had hardly taken a half dozen
steps before Murphy called after him:
"Don't-don't go an leave me-it's
not there now-thet's queeri"
The other returned and stood gazing
down upon his huddled figure. You're
a fine scout, afeard o. spooks. Do We
take these we're turns often? Fer II
=. I re2kon as how I'd sooner be
81 a---1"
Murphy struggled to his feet and
grfpped the others arm. Never he'd
Duthin' like it-afcre. But-but it was
thar-all creepy-an' green-ain't seen
thet face-in Is year"
What facet"
"A fellow 1 knew-once He
he's dead"
The other grunted disdainfully. Bad
luck ter see them sort" he volun-
teered, solemnly. Blame glad 1t
warn't me es see 1t, an l don't know
~ I keer much right now bout keep
in company with ye fer very long.
However, 1 reckon II either of US CAL
culates On doin' much ridin' ternight,
We better stop foolin' with ghosts, an
go ter saddlin' up"
They made rapid work of 1t, 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 o horses
slowly splashing through the shallow
water to the northern shore. Before
them stretched a 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 well in
check, being apparently the better
mounted.
They rode silently. The way BE-
came more broken and rough AZ they
advanced, causing them to exercise
greater caution. Flying clouds OBJ
scured the stars, yet through the riffs
they caught feeting glimpses sufh-
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 .
pocket, yet ever advancing north.
Finally they attained to the steep
bank of 4 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
q wound In his forehead where the
Jagged edge of a rock had broken the
skin, but suddenly stopped with q
quick intake Of breath that left him
painting. The other man crspt toward
him, leading his horse.
What is 1t nowf" he asked, grufly.
"Hev' ye got 'em aginY"
The dazed old scout stared, point
ing directly across the others shout
der. his arm shaking desperately.
Its thari-an' it's his face! oh.
Godi-I 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 a tone Of con-
tempt. You're plum crazy, Murphy;
the nights got on yer nerves. What
IL It ye think. ye sect"
His face, I tell We! DcB't I know?
It's all green and CHASTITY. with snaky
flames playin' about It'll But I 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 thet you? I thought
1t was him a-reachin' fer me. Here,