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

told You So! See Him Wrie9Iel"
tiers in such different light from a
man. But you should know that there
are some things a gentleman cannot
tolerate"
You were welcome to all the water
in the flask, Surely with that you
could have waited, If only to please
me-"
"Ah, if you put it that way, must
beg pardon. Anything to please you,
I'm sure! Pray forgive me, and for
get the incident. 1t is now past"
Il hope So" she murmured; but her
heart sank as she glanced at his sal
low face, and she recalled his languid,
feeble movements.
Piqued by her look, Winthrope
started back through the glade. Miss
Leslie was turning to follow. when
she caught sight of a gorgeous Grim
son blossom under the nearest tree. It
was the first flower she had seen since
being shipwrecked She uttered lit
tie cry of delight, and ran to pluck the
blossom
Winthrope, glancing about at her
exclamation, saw her stoop over the
fiower-and in the same instant he
saw a huge, vivid coil. all black and
groom and yellow. flash IN out Of the
bedded leaves and strike against the
girl. She staggered back, screaming
with horror, yet seemed unable to run
WINTHROP swung up his stick, and
dashed across the glade toward her.
What is it-a shaker" he cried.
The girl did not seem to hear him.
She had ceased screaming, and stood
rigid with fright. glaring down at the
ground before her. In a moment Win
thrope was near enough to make out
the brilliant glistening body, now ex-
tended full length in the grass. 1t was
rearly five feet long and thick as his
thigh. Another step, and he saw the
hideous triangular head, lifted few
inches on the thick neck. The cold
eyes were fixed upon the girl in
malignant, deadly stare.
Snake, snake" he yelled, and
thrust his cane at the reptiles tail.
Again came a flashing leap Of the
beautiful ornate coil, and the stick
was struck from Winthrope's hand.
He danced backward, wild with ex-
element
"Snake!-Hi, Blake! monster
Run, Miss Leslie! III hold him-Tll
get another stick"
He darted aside to catch up a
branch, and then ran in and struck
boldly at the adder, which reared
kissing to meet him. But the blow
fell short, and the rotten wood shat
thrope ran aside for stick. There
was none near, and as he paused to
glance about, Blake came sprinting
down the glade.
"Where?" be shouted.
"There-Hi! look out! You'll be on
him"
Blake stopped short, barely beyond
striking distance of the kissing rep.
tile.
Wow" he yelled. Puff adder!
I'll fix him"
He leaped back, and thrust his bow
at the snake. The challenge was met
by vicious lunge. Even where he
stood Winthrope heard the thud OF the
reptiles head upon the ground.
Now, once more, tootsie!" Knocked
Blake, swinging up his club.
Again the adder struck at the bow
tip. more Viciously than before. With
the flash Of the stroke, Blake's 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 SOL See him wiggle!"
shouted Blake. Broke his back, first
lick What's the matter, Miss Jen-
ny? He can't do anything now"
Miss Leslie did not answer. She
stood rigid, her face ashy-gray, her
dilated ewes fixed upon the writhing.