Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-11-08

than lie there helpless, gzsping for
breath. scarce conscious even OF my
deliyerance Then. as sufficient
strength returned for action. | rolled
the BODY of the dead brute off me.
and lifting myself by aid OF the wall
afainst which my head rested. looked
about. Two broken chairs overturned
upon the floor. and the shapeless,
huddled body OF my LATE essaiiant.
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 graspec in her hand.
Her posture was that Of frightened
deer as Der terror-filled eyes sought
the dark interior
1t is safely over" . said weakly.
for my breath yet came to me in
CSsps, The brute is dead"
could scarcely mark her coming
across the narrow streak Of moon
light, moving toward me as fright
eLed bird might. startled at every
thing. and passing as far from the
lifeless mass on the floor as the spali
space would allow AS she bent
anxiously over 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
race. as with trembling fingers she
undid the buttons of my troopers
jacket and extracted the small flat
flask had been thoughtful enough
to store away there.
The fiery liquid seemed to put new
blood into my veins, and with 1t 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 thoughtless nor migrate
full. Years of war service make one
careless OF life, but ] know It was
your shot that saved me. You are a
brave girl"
Her oyertaxed nerves gave way at
my words, and | knew she was crying
softly. The sobbing was in her voice
as she strove to speak.
"Oh. no, am not; you do not
guess how great coward am. ]
scarcely knew what was dong when
| fired. That hogrld thing-what was
it?"
"A huge mastiff. ! imagine; one OF
the largest of his breed. But what
ever it may have been, the beast
Is dead. and we have nothing more
to fear from him"
yet I 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 light In this gloomy old hole,
or il is bound to craze US both. Take
taose broken chairs il 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 a brief space Of Gme che
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 the
gloomy apartment yielded renewed
courage, and there war a cheerier
sound In her voice as she came back
| TO me.
GRO BE coNTINUED9