The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-11-02

than lie there helpless, gasptng FOR
breath. scarce conscious even Of my
deliverance. Then, as sufficient
strength returned for action. rolled
the body OF the dead brute off me.
and lifting myself by aid OF the wall
arainst which my head rested. looked
about Two broken, chairs overturned
upon the floor. and the shapeless.
huddled body of my late assailant,
alone spoke OF the violence Of that
deadly struggle: but the cabin was
yet full Of smoke. and could per.
ceive the figure Of the girl leaning
against the frame OF the open door.
the revolver still graspeL In her hand
Her posture was that Of frightened
deer. as her terror-filled eyes sought
the dark interior.
1t Is safely over" | said weakly.
for my breath yet came to me In
r.sps THE brute Is dead"
could scarcely mark her coming
across the narrow streak Of moon
light. moving toward me al fright.
eLed bird might, startled at every.
thing, and passing az far from the
lifeless mass on the floor as the small
space would allow As she bent
anxiously ove- me her face was SO n
shadow that could distinguish moth
ing of its features.
What is It? Are you indeed severe
ly hurt?"
Not seriously. think. yet have
lost some blood. and am in great pain
There is brandy In the inner pocket
of my jacket, but ! am unable TO
move my arm in order to reach IT,
Would you endeavor to draw the flask
out?"
felt her bend over me. her soft
breath coming almost In sobs upon my
ace, as with trembling fingers she
undid the buttons of my troopers
jacket and extracted the small flat
flask l had been thoughtful enough
to store away there.
The fiery liquid seemed to put new
blood into my veins. and with II there
returned all my old-time audacity.
with that intense hopefulness In which
had been trained by years Of war
and self-reliance.
Il trust you realize" ! said. that
am neither thougntless nor migrate
full Years OF war service make one
careless of life. but know II was
your shot that saved me You are a
bra,. girl"
Her overtaxed nerves gave way at
my words. and knew she was crying
softly The sobbing wa In her voice
as she strove t. speak.
"Oh, no, ] am not: you do not
guess how great a coward | am ]
scarcely knew what | was dong when
fired. That horrio thing-what was
it,"
"A huge mastiff. l imagine: one Of
the larges, of his breed But what
ever it may have been. the beast
is dead. and we have nothing more
to fear from him"
yet | tremble So" she confessed.
almost Historically. Every shadow
frightens me-"
realized that no amount OF con-
versation would quiet her nerves so
effectively as some positive action: be.
sides, ! felt the hot blood constantly
trickling down my arm. and realized
that something needed t, be done at
once to stanch its flow. before weak
ness should render me equally useless
do you think you could build a
fire on the hearth yonder?' ! asked
Il am afraid am hardly capable Of
helping you as yet: but we must
have ligh: in this gloomy old hole.
or II is bound to craze US both Take
those broken chairs II you find moth
ing better"
She instantly did as babe her.
moving here and there about the room
Until she gathered together the ma.
terials necessary. but keeping care.
fully away from where the dead dog
lay. until in brief space OF time the
welcome flame leaped up In the wide
black chimney. and cast its red glare
all over the little room The activity
did her good. the light flooding tho
gloomy apartment yielded renewed
courage. and there war a cheerter
sound In her voice as she came back
to me.