The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-08-20
cious We. holding NJ, voice to /. iud,

C1Ous, WV hOlulnt nit VOICE 10 n luut
clous whisper. II was he who led ths
way down the bank. the four horses
slowly splashing through the shallow
water toethe 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 glanoins
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 as they
advanced, causing them to exercise
greater caution. Flying clouds OBJ.
scured the stars. yet through the riffs
they caught heeting glimpses sutii
Client 10 hold them to their course.
And tfN encroaching hills swept in
closer upon either hand, leaving them
cropping their way between as In q
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 dlsjointedly, wiping the blood from
wound in his forehead where tho
jagged edge OF 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 II now" he asked, gruflly.
"Hev' ye got 'em agin?"
The dazed old scout stared. point
ing directly across the others shoul
der. his arm shaking desperately.
IT'S tharl-an' it's his face! Oh.
God!--I know ills 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 Il ye think ye seer"
His face. tell ye, Don't know'
It's all green and CHASTITY. with snaky
flames playin' about IT, But | know;
Is 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. hunched-up hgnre compass
sionately. and II shook beneath his
hand. endeavoring to shrink away.
my Cod was tibet you? thought
Il was him a-reachln' fer me. Here.
let me take yer hand. on. Lord! An
can't ye see? It's just there beyond
them horses-all green. crawlin'. dew.
ilish-but it's him."
Who"
"Brantl Brant-15 year'-
"Brant? Fifteen years? DO you
mean Maj. Brant. the one Nolan killed
over at Bethuneg"
"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
" across in front of his shrinking horse.
tore down the fiaring picture. and
hastily thrust II into his pocket. the
light OF the PHOSPHORUS with which It
had beep rubbed being reflected for O
moment on his features.
"a dirty. miserable. low-down trick"
he muttered Poor old devil, Yet
I've got 10 do Il for the little girl"
He stumbled back through the dark.
ness, his hat flled with water. and
dashed II into Murphy's face. Come
on. Murphy, There's one good thing
bout spooks: they don't hang round
fer long at a time. Likely es not this
'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 and
drew himself slowly to his feet
Don't see nuthin' now, do ye?"
mo Where's my-horse?"
The other silently reached him tbs
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 II
wasn't Nolan after all who plugged
the MAORI"
I'm damned--if did. who-elss
was IT,"
why, dunno Sorter blamed odd
though. thet ghost should be a-haunt
in ye. Darn If II 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 tho muzzle OF as" into the
others face. "Ye say nuther word
bout thet, an I'll make-a ghost outer
ye-blame lively. Now. we shet up--i'
ye ride with me-"
They moved forward at a walk an.