Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1910-01-20

ihSo iipBCu W oIIt Gus III IlS
grasp. There, little below her right
knee, was a tiny, red wound. Blake
put his lips to it, and sucked with
fierce energy.
Then the girl found her voice.
go away-go away! How dare
you!" she cried, as her face flushed
scarlet.
Blake turned, spat, and burst out
with a loud demand of Winthrope:
Quick! the little knife-I'll have to
slash it! Ten times worse than a rat
tlesnake- Lord! you're slow-Ill use
mine!"
Let go of me-5et go! What do you
mean, sir?" cried the girl, struggling
to free herself
Hold still, you little fool" he
shouted. ITS death-sure death, IL
| don't get the poison from that bite!"
I'm not bitten Let go, | say! 1t
struck in the fold of my skirt"
For Gods sake, Jenny, don't lie!
It's certain death! saw the mark"
THAT was thorn. 1 drew it 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
at her quivering, scarlet face, only to
look away with a sheepish expression.
Il guess you think I'm just a
damned meddlesome idiot" he mum.
bled
She did not answer. He stood for
Il little, rubbing a finger across his
sun-blistered lips. Suddenly he
stopped and looked at the finger. 1t
was streaked 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 ad-
der bite. A 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. OF course,
though, that'd be nothing to YOU
Miss Leslie put her hands before
her face and burst into hysterical
weeping.
Blake looked around, far more
alarmed than when facing the adder.
Here, you blooming lud!" he shout
ed; take the lady away, and be quick
about it. She'll go dotty if she sees
any more snake stunts. Clear out with
her, while | smash the wriggler."
Winthrope, who had been staring
| fiXedly at the beautiful coloring and
loathsome form of the writhing adder,
started at Blakes harsh command as
though struck.
"I-er-to be sure" he stammered,
and darting around to the hystericaI
girl, he took her arm and hurried her
away up the glade.
They had gone several PAGES when
Blake came running up behind them.
Winthrope locked back with a glance
of inquiry. Blake shook his head
| "Not yet" he said. Give me your
cigarette case. I've thought of some
thing Hold on; take out the cigar
cites. Smoke 'em, if 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
to pin down the venomous head. The
club lay across the monsters neck,
and he held it 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 crystalline liquid
He peered in at it, his heavy jaw
thrust out, his eyes glowing with say
age elation.
Talk about your meat trusts and
Winchesters!" he exulted; here's g
whole carload of beef in this little box
enough dope to morgue a herd OF
steers. Good God, though, that was a
close shave for her!"
His face sobered, and he stood fol-
several moments staring thoughtfully
into space. Then his gaze CHANGED
to fall upon the great crimson blossom
which had so nearly lured the girl tc
her death
"Hello!" he exclaimed; that's ar
amaryllis. Wonder if she wasn't com
ing to pick it" He snapped shut the
III OF the cigarette case, thrust Il
carefully into his shirt pocket, ant
stepped forward to pluck the flower
Makes . elbow feel like kid; but
maybe it'll make her feel less sore a
me-"
He stood gazing at the flower fol
several moments, his eyes aglow witt
a soft blue light.
"Whew!" he sighed; eff asly- Bu
what's the use? She's way out of my
class-a rough brute like me! All the
same, it's up to me to take care O
her. She can't kaep me from being
her friend-and she sure can't objec
to my picking flowers for her"
Amaryllis in hand, he gathered u;
his bow and club. Then he PAUSED
to study the skin of the decapitatet
adder. The inspection ended with ;