The Columbus journal., 1909-10-20
- NZfS1Aasy


LET 60 OF me-let go! What do you
mean, sir?" cried the girl, struggling
to free herself.
"Hold still, you little fool" he
shouted. Its death-sure death, II
I don't get the poison from that bite"
I'm not bitten Let go. say! It
struck in the fold of my SKIRT
For Gods sake. Jenny, don't lie!
It's certain death! saw the mark"
THAT was a thorn. / drew it out
an hour ago."
Blake looked up into her hazel eyes.
They were blazing with indignant
scorn. He freed her, and rose with
clumsy slowness. Again he glanced
at her quivering, scarlet face, only to
look away with sheepish expression.
II guess you think I'm Just a
damned meddlesome idiot" he mum
bled.
She did not answer. He stood for
a little, rubbing finger across his
sun-blistered lips. Suddenly he
stopped and looked at the finger It
was streaked with blood.
"Whew!" he exclaimed Didn't
stop to think of that! It's just as we'll
for me. Miss Jenny. that. wasn't an ad-
der bite. A little poison on my sore
lip would have done for me. Ten to
one, we'd both have turned up our
toes at the same time. OF course,
though, that'd be nothing to you"
Miss Leslie put her hands before
her face and burst into hysterical
weeping. 49,
Blake looked around, far more
alarmed than when facing the adder.
Here. you blooming lud!" he shout
ed; take the lady away, and be quick
about it. She'll go dotty if she sees
any more snake stunts. Clear out with
her, while 1 smash the wriggler."
Winthrope, who had been staring
fixedly at the beautiful coloring ard
loathsome form of the writhing adder.
started at Blake's harsh command as
though struck.
"1-er-to be sure" he stammered.
and darting around to the hysterical
girl, he took her arm and hurried her
away up the glade.
They had gone several PAGES when
Blake came running up behind them.
Winthrope looked back with a glance
Of inquiry. Blake shook his head.
Not yet" he said. Give me your
cigarette case. I've thought of some
thing Hold on: take out the cigar.
cites. Smoke 'em, If you like
Case in hand, Blake returned to the
wounded adder, and picked up his
club. A second smashing blow would
have ended the matter at once; but
Blake did not strike. Instead, he
tented with his club until he managed
to pin down the venomous head. The
club lay across the monsters neck,
and he held 1t fast with the pressure
CT his foot. J.. -.
When, half an hour later, he wiped
his knife on wisp of grass and stood
up. the cigarette case contained over
tablespoonful of crystalline liquid
He peered in at it, his heavy jaw
thrust out. his eyes glowing with saw
age citation.
Talk about your meat trusts and
Winchesters!" he exulted; here's a
whole carload of beef in this little box
enough dope to morgue a herd OF
steers. Good God. though, that was
close shave for herr"
His face sobered, and he stood for
several moments staring thoughtfully
into space. Then his gaze CHANGED
to fall upon the great crimson blossom
which had SO nearly lured the girl to
her death.
"Hello!" he exclaimed; that's an
amaryllis. Wonder if she wasn't COM
ing to pick it" He snapped shut the
lid of the cigarette case, thrust it
carefully into his shirt pocket, and
stepped forward to pluck the flower.
Makes fellow feel like a kid; but
maybe it'll make her feel less sore at
me-"
He stood gazing at the flower for
several moments, his eyes aglow with
a soft blue light.
''Whew!" he sighed; eff only But
what's the use? She's way out of my
class-a rough brute like me! All the
same. it's up to me to take care of
her. She can't keep me from being
her friend-and she sure can't object
to my picking flowers for her."
Amaryllis in hand, he gathered up
his bow and club. Then he paused
to study the skin of the decapitated
adder. The inspection ended with 4
shake of his head.
Better not, Thomas. 1t would make
a dandy culver; but then, it might get
on her nerves."
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