The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-02-18

Kissing adder.
Il think the snake struck herr"
gasped Winthrope, suddenly overcome
with horror.
Cod" cried Blake He dropped his
club. and rushed to the girl. In a mo-
ment he had knelt before and flung
up her leopard skin skirt. Her stock
ings ripped to shreds in his frantic
grasp. There, a little below her right
knee, was a tiny, red wound Blake
put his lips to it, and sucked with
fierce energy.
Then the girl found her voice
GO away-go away! How dare
you!" she cried, as her face flushed
scarlet.
Blake turned, spat, and burst out
with a loud demand of Winthrope:
Quick! the little knife-I'll have to
slash it! Ten times worse than a rat
tlesnake- Lord! you're slow-Tn use
mine!"
Let go 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, if
l don't get the poison from that bite"
I'm not bitten Let go, l say! 1t
struck in the fold of my skirt"
For Gods sake, Jenny don't liei
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 quiverins, scarlet face, only to
look away with a sheepish expression.
81 guess you think I'm just a
damned meddlesome idiot" he mum
bled.
She did not answer. He stood for
a little, rubbing a finger across his
sun-blistered lips. Suddenly he
stopped and looked at the finger. 1t
was streaked with blood
"Whew!" he exclaimed. Didn't
stop to think Of that! It's just as well
for me- Miss Jenny, that wasn't an adj
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. thst'd be nothing to you"
Miss Leslie put her hands before
her face and burst into hysterical
weeping.
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 l smash the wriggler"
Winthrope, who had been staring
fxedly at the beautiful coloring and
loathsome form OF the writhing adder,
started at Blake's harsh command as
though struck.
"I-er-to be sure" he stammered,
and darling around to the historical
girl, he took her arm and hurried her
away up the glade.
They had gone several PAGES when
Blake came running up behind them.
WiHthrope 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 cut the cigar
cites. Smoke EN-, If you like"
Case in hand. Blake returned to the
wounded adder, and picked up his
club. A second smashing blow would
have erded the matter at once: but
Rirkc did not strike Instead, he
feinted with his club until he managed
20 pin down the venomous head The
club lay across the monsters neck,
and he held it fast with The pressure
OF his foot
When, half an hour later, he wiped
his knife on a wisp Of grass and stood
up, the cigarette case contained over
q 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; heres a
" lOlc Vi Dcel III ILLS IlLle lux
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 70 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 a 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; "if 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
hey frieDd-and She s,,ra can't Ohiact