Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1909-05-08
CHAPTER vIII-continued.


IL on his own self" Then suddenly
he started for the door. No one spoke
or disturbed the silence, nor was there
a sound In the store until the 'clunk-
clunk" OF the old wagon had died away
in the distance.
Amos and Dan walked rapidly down
the pike. 1t was perfect spring
night. The clouds had entirely dis
appeared, leaving the sky brilliant with
stars that scintillated coldly. Low In
the west, over the ragged scar in the
range, the thin curve or a new moon
lay pointing upward with sharp horns.
Far Off in the stiffness they could hear
the warning growl OF Roaring Run, but
il only made the silence more complete.
They said nothing as they strode down
the pike, and they turned into the Hell
ler's Gap road without a word. The
awful warnings OF Poppy Miller were
echoinR In Dams ears; he was walking
like a man I'm a dream
A dim light burned I'm the Farthing
kitchen, but they heard no sound, save
the rattling movements of some
creature In the barn. Then they struck
into the old lane TO the cabin.
The world still wore the fantastic
garments Of the morning, though much
OF the snow had dropped from the trees
during the day. II was a weird, silent
scene, and both OF the men were i'm
pressed by It, The great shadow OF the
gap was over them; the walls on either
side loomed up like ghostly columns as
they saw them in the uncertain light.
Darn creepy place." observed Dan
at length.
HUH" shifted Amos, striding on
stoutly In the lead.
Then they came In sight OF the cabin,
and stopped a moment to reconnoiter.
The old house loomcd up black and
sepulchral amid the scrubs. A livid
In1
IT. Dan called his companion's atten-
,tion to II, but Amos only grunted.
Come ahead, DAN" he said grufiiy.
They strode rapidly TO the edge Of
the snow line, then both stopped In
stantly as If they had run into
an invisible wire. There was a light in
the cabin, but one so diffused and in
distinct that 1t was impossible to see
anything within. Dan Tressler turned
in a panic. and was on the point of
fleeing, but Amos gripped him by the
arm.
Brace up, Dan" he hissed in his
ear. We're going to see this out If II
takes n leg. You stay right here; I'm
going to find out how many's in there"
He started out cautiously in a circle
around the cabin, yelling his lantern
with his coat and examining the snow
with extreme care. At length he came
around TO where he had started.
Say, DAN" he said with a trace of
excitement in his voice, there hain't a
living soul moved in or out of there
since the snow"
Good lord!" gasped Dan. Say, les
make rush and touch the old shanty
and run" His nerves were rapidly
getting beyond his control.
Not by long chalk! They prob
ably went in there before the snow
came the other night. You wait a min
I'taN In 20 Innl tKNb
He Crept nearer Then there came
from within a shrill laugh, fearfully
startling in its weird distinctness. In
voluntarily Dan gave a nervous cry,
and on the instant they saw a face at
the window, a face strangely white
and thin. with framing Of hair that
even in that uncertain light showed up
inky black. Instantly there echoed
from within shrek 80 ghastly that 1t
shook the nerves even of Amos Hard
ing. 1t was a shrill falsetto, seemingly
feminine. He dropped his lantern, so
suddenly did II ring out and so fright
full. But his panic was only for an in
slant.
Some OF them Farthin's are in there,
trying to scare u.s." he shouted. Here,
I'm coming in! You can't scare me!
You've got the wrong man, I'll tell yeh
that! Here, open up!" A sudden fury
seemed TO have seized him. open up!
open there!" he yelled. Then he ran
against the door full tilt, but II did not
yield.
A livid stream OF curses in what
seemed TO be an old mans cracked
voice followed. Amos took back
step, and hesitated. Then n recollec-
tion OF the group in the store came
upon him, and he faced the cabin
again.
Come on, Dan. It's only the Far
I hin'S irving 70 scare hv Yna
DAN" he shouted. Get stone I'm
goin' to stave in the old door" Dan
took one step and stopped short; but
for Amos he would have turned and
fled for his life.
For another scream came from the
interior, scream that must have come
from a woman's throat, and yet no liv-
ing woman's; then a flash of light, in
tense and binding, filtering through
the crannies like red fire. For the |
space of minute II bathed the scene
in "a lurid hell red. Even Amos felt his
hair creeping, but his blood was up and
he would not have turned back now
even IL the devil himself had confront
ed him. .. -
The bright light showed him a Jagged
piece OF limestone at his feet within
The dead line. He seized II and began |
TO batter the door. II held out strong |
y; he threw all Of his strength into \
the work. Then the cabin became ut
terly dark; 1t was deathly still now; |
Dut he battered on. The bar began to-
give way; a couple of blows more and /
he door swung wide open. |
But Amos did not enter. ID. |
He held up his lantern and peered |
within with quivering interest. Moth
ng was in sight; nothing moved: but |
here was a thick smudge OF smoke and
| CHASTITY stencil of sulphur. He stood |
still and listened. No sound save far
behind him the gurgle OF Roaring Run,
ike the rattle in the throat of a dying |
nan.
Come on, DAN" he ordered excited
" 1t was too late to back out now.
I'm going right in there hell bent,
iarned If / amt. Come on. Don't goI
pack on me- old man." Dan was no
onger master of himself. He moved as
n a stupor; the strong will of the
ID. then took a faltering step toward
he door. Amos was out of sight.
Hey, Amos! Where be yeh?"" he
He caught q choking breath.
# the sulphur reek and his knees well
nigh gave way beneath him.
Here! This way, quick!" he heard
Amos calling. Blindly and automatic
lily he rushed in. He found Amos, the
stone still in his hand, looking about
iim warily.. The cabin, as they saw it
~ the light of the lantern, was fur
lished apparently as the last occupant
lad left II years ago. There were two
ooms, and in the larger were q be-
Iraggled sofa, several kitchen chairs, a
cupboard, and a few smaller pieces of
urniture. In the kitchen was a stove
which gave evidences of having been
ately used. There were cooking uten-
ills scattered about. Both rooms were |.
Utterly deserted.
Here, they're upstairs" Amos yelled.
Here, you, come down" After n mo-
nent he sprang up the rickety stair
way, but the rooms were empty.
Then they're in the cellar!" The
oor was standing ajar.
"Come on" he shouted. They're not
,oin' to fool me. / amt goin' to back
ut now, darned II / am. Here!" he
houted down the stairway. Come up