The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-05-04

time He'll keep his word. He always
does He will go back to the States.
mark my wordr'
Lorsna stealthily opened the door
and locked after her lovers retreating
figure. He had almost reached the
bluff. Something stirred in her throat.
The long stretch Of trail that ran
away through the dreary landscape
seemed like her life. and Floyd was
going out of it. Her heart yeaIned for
him. What would her life he without
him?
"Lorcna. where are you:" called
Mrs. Farrell, emerging again from the
bedroom. The girl was not in the
room. The mother opened the door
and looked out A wall of whirling
white met her vision.
"She has gone after him and is
caught in the storm!" gasped the
mother.
A knock sounded on the door, Floyd
entered noisily stamping the snow
from his feet Thought I'd come
back and have another talk with Lo-
rena"- he began.
"Oh. Floyd. she's gone after you!"
cried the distracted woman. wringing
her hands. She got sorry right after
you left
I'll find her." said Floyd quickly:
"don't worry" And he dashed back
into the storm.
When Lorena softly closed the
kitchen door she could just see Floyd
rounding the bluff. Floyd. oh. Floyd.
come backw she called. all her reserve
gone. her fierce pride thrown to the
stormy winds that blew the fringe Of
her shawl into her eyes.
Realizing that he could not hear her,
she started after him. but by the time
she had covered half the distance a
sea of white swept In between and
botted him from her view.
She hurried on. calling his name re-
peatedly. but the furious wind tore at
her breath and walled her about with
fleecy clouds. Suddenly she felt that
she was off the trail.
She turned to the right and then to
the left. but could not find it. Des-
perately she struggled on. until her
tired limbs compelled pause in the
sheltc; of bluff She leaned painting
against a rock. all unconscious of a
pair of eyes which glared from will
low thicket near by.
The green lights in the eyes fared
brighter. u long red tongue licked long.
snarling jaws hungrily. and forth from
the covert stole a ank gray wolf.
Lorena uttered startled cry. This
was no coyote to be chased with a
stick. 1t was wolf of timber stock.
a great beast. strong as a mastif! he
emitted low suaIis as he SUNK in half
circles across in front. He was unde-
cided.
While he circled. drawing little
nearer at every turn, Lorena fell back
back toward the bluff. keeping her
white face always toward the creeping
beast.
She took off her heavy shawl and
suddenly threw it blanketwise over
the VOLTS head. Then she fed des-
perately.
Once clear of the scrub. she ran on,
p!unging through drifts. stumbling,
falling to rise again and push her
fight. OF direction she could take no
heed. All she could do was to place
distance between herself and the fam
ished brute. But when. weary and
breathless. she paused for rest out of
the drab drift stole the lank gray
shadow.
With q terrified shrek Lorena ran on
until she had to stop. spent. unable to
take another step. She saw the wolf,
licking his hungry jaws. leaping TO-
ward her with no indecision left.
Lorena screamed and closed her
eyes. Two shots roared out. Looking
up, she saw Floyd Jordan, with smok-
ing revolver in his hand. standing over
the PROSTATE beast.
Floyd. oh. Floyd" she sobbed as he
came to her with eyes tender and anX-
ious. He picked her up from the snow,
wrapped her in his coat and held her
against his breast.
The storm was lifting. Farrelps cab
in could be discerned not quarter of
mile distant
"Im dead sure now I'll build that
cabin on my claim" Floyd said as they
started homeward.
An illusion Shattered.
The son and heir is seven years old