The Mena weekly star., 1909-02-04

pointing bristles of his skin trousers aided his grip Though the lofty crown of the palm was swayins in the wind he reached the top and was down again before Miss Leslie had arranged the contents Of the lunch bag
 Guess you're not extra hungry, he remarked
 She made no response
 Mad, eh? Well, toss me the little knife. Mine has got too good meat edge to spoil on these husks"
 Tt was very kind of you to climb for the nuts. and the wind blowing so hard up there" she said, as she handed over the penknlfe. "I am not angry. It is only that feel tired and depressed. I hope I am not going to be-"
 No; you're not going to have the fever, or any such thing You're played out, that's all I'm fool for bringing you so far. Youll be all right after you eat and rest Here; drink this cocoa milk"
 She drained the nut, and, upon his insistence, made a pretense at eating. He was deceived until, with the satis- lying of his first keen hunger, he again became observant.
 "Say, that won't dol" he exclaimed. Look at your bowl. You haven't nib bled enough to keep a mouse alive"
 Really. am not hungry. But am resting"
 "Try another nut. I'll have one ready in two shakes"
 He caught his hat, which was drag glng past in a downward eddy of the wind. and weighted it with a cocoa nut He wedged another nut be tween his knees and bent over It, tearing at the husk. It took him only few moments to strip the fiber from the end and gouge open the germ hole. He held out the nut and glanced up to meet her smile of acceptance. She was staring past him, her eyes wide with terror. and the color fast receding from her face. What in Another snake?" he demanded twisting warily about to glare at the ground behind him. "There-over in the grass!" she whispered. Tt looked out at me with terrible, savage syes!"
 Snake ?--that far off?" ''No. no!--a monster-a huge, fierce beast!"
 "Beast?" echoed Blake, grasping his | bow and arrows. Where is her May | be only one of these African buffaloes How'd he look?-horns?" 'I--I didn't see any. It was all shaggy, and yellow like the grass and terrible eyes-oh!" The girls scream was met by fe rocious, snarling roar, so deep anc prolonged that the air quivered and | the very ground seemed to shake. Coda lion!" cried Blake, the hair on his bare head bristling like 1 startled animals.
 He turned squarely about toward the ridge, his bow half drawn. Hac the lion shown himself then Blake would have shot on the instant. As | was, the beast remained behind tht screening border of grass, where hs could watch his intended quarry with out being seen in turn. The della. gave Blake time for reflection. H, spoke sharply. as it were biting off hi words: Hit out. I'll stop the buffer
 q cant. Oh. I'm afraid!"
 Again the hidden beast gave voice 10 his mighty rumbing challenge Still he did not appear. and Blake at tempted a derisive jeer; Hey, there louder! We've not run yet! It's al | right, little woman. The skulkini sneak is trying to blum us. Fraid tc come out If we don't stampede. Hel make of when he finds we don't scare Lions never tackle men in the day time. Just keep cool while | He'll"
 "Look!-there to the right.--I say him again He's creeping around See the grass novel"
 That's only the wind It eddie down--Godl he is stalking around Trying to take us from behind-curs him. He may get me, but I'll ge him, too-the dirty sneak"
 The blood had flowed back int Blake's face. and showed on eacl cheek in little red patch. His broa' chest rose and fell slowly to deel respirations; his eyes glowed lik balls of white-hot steel. He drew hi bow a little tauter and wheeled slow ly to keep the arrow pointed at tn slight wave in the grass which marke' the stealthy movements of the lion Miss Leslie, more terrified with ever added moment of suspense. cringe' around, that she might keep him be tween her and the hidden beast.
 Minute after minute dragged by Only a man of Blake's obstinate, su len temperament could have withstoo the strain and kept cool. Even h found the impulse to leap up and rul all but irresistible. Miss Lesli crouched behind him, no more abl to run than mouse with which ca has been playing.
 Once they caught glimpse of tn sinuous tawny form gliding among tn leafless stems of a thorn clump. Blak took quick aim; but the outlines c the beast were indistinct and tn range long. He hesitated, and tn opportunity was lost.
 Yard by yard they watched tn slight swaying of the grass tops whie betrayed the cautious advance of tn grim stalker The beast did not roa again Having failed tO husk hi