West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-10-14

the turn. Before him was a sharp de-
scent OF a few rods and beyond this
dense fringe OF chestnut trees
Above the trees was column OF black
smoke
He's cert'nly ter home" he said.
with grim smile OF satisfaction.
That smoke means dinner"
II took him but n few minutes TO
pass through the fringe OF woods. and
he paused in the shelter OF large
clump OF chinquapin bushes and glanc-
ed sharply around. No one was I'm sight,
but the entire roof OF the cabin was
In n blaze. and smoke was coming
thickly from the door and windows
Bob gazed at IL curiously.
Queer there amt nobody Groun'."
he muttered.
"Mebbe they're in the cabin tryin'
ter get things out. Well. hits good
times any. I'll jes wan him, an
then hitn be one or t'other."
He stepped from the bushes and
gave a loud shout Then he cooked
his rife and waited.
Somebody mus be ter home, or
how'd the fire get started. They
shorely wouldn' set hit on purpose"
He gave another shout and moved
slowly toward the cabin. A few mo.
ments and there came the frightened
wall OF an infant
"a babyw he cried wondering1y.
why don't the fools bring hit outT'
Then terrible thought occurred TO
him. Perhaps they were all dead or
away. For n moment he stood irreso-
Lutte; then n quick flush OF pity drove
the anger from his face.
81 amt fightin' babiesw And. drop
ping his rife upon the ground. he sped
toward the cabin. Without mo-
ments hesitation he dashed into the
wall OF smoke and flame. But only
for an instant The heat was too
much for him, and he staggered out
weakly and half blinded A large
spring OF water bubbled up I'm front
OF the cabin, and the sight gave him
n new idea. A quick bound took him
into the spring. and n moment later
he once more rushed into the cabin
with the water streaming from his
clothing. This time he remained
longer. When he came out he carried
n small bundle in his arms. But al
most before he was beyond reach OF
the flames he stumbled and fell. After
moment he rose and staggered on
few steps and fell again. Before he
had reached the place where he had
left his rifle he had fallen three times.
The last time he did not rise.
At last the small bundle which had
fallen upon the ground began to stir.
few frantic movements, and Il open.
ed, and n baby crawled out. The blan-
ket wns scorched and blackened. and
there were great holes which the fire
had made. but the baby was appar-
emily unhurt. IL gazed about curiously
for moment and then crawled over
to the unconscious figure OF the boy.
After awhile II reached up and touch
cd the blistered face. shudder ran
through the boys frame. and he open
ed his eyes. Then he rose slowly to his
feet
"Sorter seems like I tainted" he
said in wondering voice. "I thought
only gals did that But / reckon I'd
better be gettin' home m hev these
burns looked after. Smart like they's
considerable bad. Lucky I kept my
eyes shet." low wall at his feet
drew his attention. Eyes. baby: I'm
goin' ter take you long o. me-" and
the ghost OF n smile 1Ickered across
HIS blackened face. Seems like you
sorter belong ter me now. 7 low your
folks hev deserted you"
He reached down, but as his blis-
tered hesh came I'm contact with the
baby ne drew back. with low cry OF
pain. Then, as though ashamed OF his
weakness, ne picked up the baby and
his rife and walked quietly toward
the woods. But his progress was slow.
At length he reached the sharp turn
In the path AS he did so he fancied
that he could hear some one coming
up the mountain. A keen scrutiny
and he stepped quickly from sight.
Its him" he muttered fiercely.
Now wen settle hit fer good an all"
Moving back into the bushes. no
laid the baby upon a bed OF leaves.
Then he returned and took up n posi-
tion behind a rock
The figure came on rapidly. When
II was within hailing distance Bob
stepped from his concealment.
you. Tom PetersF' he called sharp
ly. rs your gun loadedT
Yes I'm startled accents from be-
low.
''Then aim m FIRE! Quickr
Almost with the words came the
sharp report OF a rifle. and a bullet
whistled past. The boy laughed do.
rlslvely.
"Now hits my turn" And no
brought his rife into position and
took deliberate aim. But even as he
pulled the trigger his strength failed
him lie staggered weakly for a mo
ment and then sank upon the ground
The bullet few wide Of its mark.
Tom Peters came on deliberately.
He was a large, powerful man, with a
heavy beard and keen, restless eyes.
When he reached the prostrste figure
OF tho boy he gazed down at him re.
gretfully
II didn't low ter XIII him" he said.
and there was real concern in his
voice But hit all come 50 sudden /
might have aimed closter'n / thought.
Wen, he brought hit on himso'f. But
hits queer he's 50 burned"
He kneeled down and examined the
figure more closely
Hair m clothes nigh burned off'n
him. he said wonderingly. "an' face
m hans n solid blister. Well. he's
cert'niy been where there's Ere"
A quick glance around showed him