The newspaper., 1909-08-27

the flash OF the stroke. Blakes right
foot thrust forward. and his club
came down with all the drive of his
sinewy arm behind it. The blow fell
across the thickest part OF the adder's
outstretched body.
Told you SO, See him wiggle."
lick What's the matter, Miss Jen-
ny7 He can't do anything now"
Miss Leslie did not answer. She
stood rigid. her face ashy-gray. her
d.lated eyes fixed upon the writhing.
kissing adder. -
Il think the snake struck her,"
sasped Winthrope. suddenly overcome
with horror.
Cod" cried Blake. He dropped his
club. and rushed to the girl. In . mo-
ment he had knelt before and nung
up her leopard-skin skirt. Her stock
ings ripped to shreds in his frantic
grasp. There. q little below her right
knee. was a tiny. red wound. Blake
put his lips to II. and sucked with
fierce energy.
Then the girl found her voice.
Go avay-go away. How dare
you," she cried. As her face flushed
scarlet.
Blake turned. spat. and burst out
with . loud demand of winthrope:
Quick. the little knife-I'r have to
slash it, Ten times worse than q rat
tlesnake- Lord, you're slow-Ill use
mine,-
Let go of me-let go, What do you
mean. sir cried the girl. struggling
to.free herself.
shouted. ITS death-sure death. IL
I don't get the poison from that bite"
I'm not bitten Let go. I say, II
struck In the fold of my skirt
For Gods sake. Jenny. don't lie,
It's certain death, I saw the mark"
THAT was a thorn. drew II 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
AZ her quiyerinE. scarlet face only TO
look away with sheepish expression
Il guess you think I'm Just a
damned meddlesome idiot" he mum
bled
She did not answer. He stood for
little. rubbing a finger across his
sun .blistered lips. suddenly he
stopped and looked at the finger II
was sfreaked 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 ai-
der bic 4 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. or course.
though. that'd be nothing TO you"
Miss Leslie put her hands before
her face and burst into hysterical
wcc-inE.
Blake locked around. far more
ala ned than when facing tho adder
Here. YOU blooming lud'" he shout
ef'- take he LADY away and be quick
about H. She7l go dotty II she sees
any more snake stunts Clear out with
her. while | smash the wriggler"
winthrope. who had been staring
hN.diy az the beautiful coloring and
Ioathsome form OF the writhing adder.
started at Blake's harsh command as
though struck
"I-er-to be sure" he siammered.
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.
Winthropc looked back with a glance
OF inquiry. Blake shook his head.
Not yet he said. Give me your
cigarette case. I've thought of scme-
thing Hold on: take out the cigar
cites Smoke EN-. II 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
feinted with his club until he managed
- pin down the vsnomous head. The
club lay across the monsters neck.
and he held IL fast with the pressure
CT his foot.
When. half an hour later. he wiped
his knife on wisp of grass and stood
up. the cigarette case contained over
a tablespoonful OF a crystalline liquid.
He peered in at II. his heavy jaw
thrust out, his eyes glowing with saw
age elation.
Talk about your meat trusts and
yrf,rh.ptaref bA pxn1tal. ssbnra'c