The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-11-10

where her bed had been. 1t was en-
tering at a different angle. and its
force was broken by the bend in the
thick wall of the entrance. After q
time the deluge dashed aslant the en-
trance, gushing down the door in
cataract of foam.
Another interval, and the driving
downpour no longer struck even the
edge of the opening. The wind was
veering rapidly as the cyclone center
moved past on one side. The area Of
the hurricane was little more than
thrice that of a tornado, and 1t was
advancing along its course at great
speed. An hour more. and the out
ermost rim of the huge whirl was
passing over the cleft
Quickly the hurricane gusts fell
away to a gale; the gale became a
breeze; the breeze lulled and died
away, stifled by the torrential rain.
Within the baobab all was again
dark and silent. Utterly exhausted, the
girl had sunk back against the friend.
" wall of the tree, and fallen asleep.
She was wakened by hoarse call:
Miss Jenny! Miss Jenny. answer
me! Are you all right"
She started up. barely saving her
self from fall as the big unhusked
nuts rolled beneath her feet. The
morning sunlight was streaming In
over her door. She sprang down ankle
deep into the mire of the cave door,
and ran to loosen>the bars. As the
door swung up. she darted out, with
cry of delight: You are safe-safe!
Oh, was so afraid for you! But
you're drenched! You must build
fire-dry yourself-at once!"
Wait" said Blake. I've got to tell
you something" g'@f a,,,I
He canght her outstretched hands.
and pushed them down with gentle
force. His face was grave. almost SOL
emn. a
Think you can stand bad news-a
shock?"
4 What is it? You look 80
strange!"
Its about MISUNDERSTANDING
very bad
She turned. with gasp. and hid
her face in her hands, shuddering with
horror and loathing.
"Oh! OH" she cried. 81 know al
ready know ALL"
"All?" demanded Blake, staring
blankly. .r-
"Yes; all! And--and he made me
think it was you!" She gasped, and
fell silent.
Blake's face went white. He spoke
in a clear, vibrant voice, tense as an
overstrained violin string: Il am
speaking about Winthrope - under
stand 8 me? - Winthrope. He has
been badly hurt"
The door swung down and struck
him, when he was creeping in"
Cod" roared Blake. Il picked
him up like sick baby-the beast!-;
stead of grinding my heel in his face!
God! I'll"
TON! don't-don't even speak Of
it! TONI"
God! When helpless girl-when
a." He choked. beside himself with
cage.
She sprang to him, and caught his
sleeve in a cOnvulsive grasp. Hush
for mercy's sake! Tom Blake, remem
ber-you're a man."
He Gained like ferocious dog al
the voice of its master; but it was sew
eral minutes before he could bring
himself to obey her insistent urging
that he should return to the injured
man. s ..--
I'll CO." he at last growled
Wouldn't do it even for you, but he's
good as dead-lucky for him!"
| Dead"
Dying. You stay away" 3
| He went around the baobab and q
few PAGES along the cleft to the place
where a limp form lay huddled on the
lodges, out of the mud. Slowly, al
though drawn by the fascination o.
horror. the girl crept after him. Wher
she saw the broken, storm.beater
thing that had been Winthrope, She
stopped, and would have turnet
back. After all, as Blake had said
he was dying
When she stood at the feet of thu
writhing figure, and looked down init
the battered face, it required all hel
willpower to keep from fainting
Blake frowned up at her for an in
slant. but said nothing.
Winthrope was speaking, feebly ant
brokenly, yet distinctly: Really. die
not mean any harm-at first-yol
know. But a man does not Away,
have control" .,a
mot a beast like you!" growlet
Blake 80 .=v
| 'tOw! Don't it me! I say now, In
done for! My legs are cold already
| To BE. coNTINUED) -
c. ~ @Si