Middletown transcript., 1911-11-04

Wish you TO feeI that nave
never thought so much about my OWL
danger as about yours" l returned
quietly. But would 1t be q pleasure
even to you to behold me swinging
from the limb Of a tree, hung as 6
spy without trial, merely because
ventured to walk with you into Fed
eral camp?"
l could see her eyes now resting
full upon me, and much of the hard
ness and doubt seemed to have gone
out Of them as she scanned my un
covered features in the din light,
scarcely think I was ever considered
q, handsome man even by my friends
but was young then, frank OF face
with that about me which easily In
spired confidence, and 1t did me good
to note how her eyes softened, and to
mark the perceptible tremor In heE
voice as she cried impulsively:
"Oh, no! Not that!"
"YoHr words yield me new heart"
replied fervently, determined, now
that ice was partially broken, to pen
NIT no excuse for its again forming.
"for If you But once fully realize our
situation you will certainly feel that
am merely endeayoring to perform
my plain duty"
II will, Of course, bow to the newt
able, sir" she said, ''and shall en-
deavoF TO adapt myself to the require
ments Of my unfortunate situation.
May I venture 70 inquire what you
now propose to dot"
To the tight Of where We stood the
ground slcped rapidly downward un'
til the dense darkness ct the foot Of
the stesp defle shrouded everything
from view. The descent appeared
rocky and tmpracticabls, and ! could
distinguish the sound Of rapid water
far below, On the opposite side stood
q dense wood, the outer fringe Of
trees overhanging the road, and
through the waving leaves the moon
light checkered the ground with sil.
yer, while the dense mass beyond
seemed to dow back up the steep side
Of the mountain. thick with under
brush. Just below US. and possibly
Fifty feet from the highway, l could
perceive a small o"e-story log cabin,
as silent, gloomy, and deserted to all
outward appearance as were the som.
Der woods of which It formed a part.
"There seems small choice" said,
speaking as cheerfully As possible.
But propose to investigate the log
hut yonder, and learn II 1t may not
AFFORD some degree Of shelter. If you
will rest here, in the shadow Of these
trees, will soon discover whether 1t
has inmates or not"
She followed me In silence across
the road to the spot designated, but as
I turned to leave her seated upon the
grass, and well protected from prying
eyes, she hurried quickly after me,
and In her agitation so far forgot her
self as to touch my sleeve with her
hand.
"Oh, please do not leave me here
alone. am not naturally tImid, yet
everything is 50 gloomy cannot stand
it Let me go with you, II you must
got"
Most assuredly you shall II you de-
sire" I returned heartily.
There appeared before us a dim, lit.
tle-used path leading in among the
trees, and following its erratic curves
we were soon before the cabin, which
grew even more uninyiting as we
drew near. As paused moment be-
fore the closed door, In order that
might listen for any possible sound
within, could hear her quick breath
ing, as though the terror of the mo-
ment had driven all else from her
mind. The wooden latch yielded
readily enough to my pressure, and
pushing wide open the door, which
creaked slightly upon ito rusty hinges,
l stepped across the puncheon thres-
hold onto the hard earthen floor. There
was no window visible, and the slight
reflection of moonlight which crept
in through the doorway scarcely re-
Vealed the nature Of that dark inter-
ior. could dimly perceive what be-
heVed to be table directly In front Of
nae. while certain other indistinct and
i'll defined shadows might be chairs
pushed back against the wall. At least
this room was without occupants; yet
1t was with every sense alert that /
entered, pressing slowly past the table
toward where felt the fireplace
would naturally be, knowing that my
companion was yet with me, her hand
clutching my arm.
"oh!" she cried sharply in terror,
what was that"
It was something certainly dead.
ened, mufied, stunning sound directly
in our front, followed by a strange
noise OF scraping, as II with a dull |
knife on wood.
wait here" said sternly. prob
ably 1t Is nothing more dangerous
than a rat"
felt my way carefully around the |
table, revolver ready in my hand. |
There was nothing to be found there
nothing, indeed, in the room; for
from my new position I could look |
backward and distinguish in the moon.
light the details Of that simple,
squalid interior. ran my hands
along the rough logs of the further
wall. Ay! here was a break, doubt.
less door; and cropping along the
crack found the latch.
There was no longer any noise
audible, and drew the door inward,
never dreaming of danger. Suddenly,
with fierce, wild spring out of the
dark, huge body hurled itself d.
rectly at my throat, striking with such
headlong impetus that I went back.
ward as Il shot, crashing against the
liable, then to the floor, dropping my
weapon as fell. There was no noise,
no sound, while for an instant, with
strength of sheer desperation, held
back the swapping jaws that breathed
hot IRE into my very face. With Q
bound backward of its great body the
beast jerked free from my grip, and
he nexk instant had sunk its dripping
lanx deep and hard. Into the flesh
shoulder. As the intense pain
through me, my right hand,
Fiyen with, all the force I could mus
.er. caught thA fnonafeP once twfAA