Omaha daily bee., 1915-06-10
FOURTH EPISODE.


Tho blow dazed his senses and he
leaped backward as IL from a living
enemy who had struck him, and struck
the back OF his head against another tree
After that he covered for a while on the
ground, whimpering and blind--blind as a
mole.
Then he began to scream for help.
After an hour his screams grew hoarse
and faint and presently his vocal chords
relaxed and hte could no longer make a
sound.
So 1t was to be death, was il? Death
in the damned forest. when he was still in
the prime OF life7 Death because little
boy loved a little girl and always stood
up for her! Well. It had to be and he
tried, to resign himself to 1t and be calm.
Suddenly he heard a sound that gave
him fresh terrors-many sounds. the
sounds Of many soft-padded feet coverg-
ing upon him from three sides over the
dead leaves. Closer and closer they came.
very slowly. and stilliter howled back
and he leaped to his feet and ran.
Thorns tore his clothes from his body.
the flesh from. his bones, and the merci-
less trunks of trees dealt him blow after
blow, but still he ran to escape from the
thing that had howled.
All at once the ground became firm and
even under his flying feet: he no longer
encountered trees or bushes. He had
escaped from the forest and from the
think tlalt howled. There was still hope
for him. He might still live to be the
greatest man that had over lived in the
world: Ard then the next step that he
took his foot never touched the ground
at all; II lust went down and down and
head over heels he followed and fell
through space.
He woke 30 frightened that he was half
dead in reality. And It took him some
time to pull himself together.
Well, the party landed and took up the
long trail TO Four Corners.
About leaving Tommy without colthes,
Stilliter had no computations. The young
man might suffer. He would undoubtedly
catch frightful cold, but he wouldn't
actually die. He'll swim across" Still
liter thought. and would naked until
he reaches the outskirts of Four
Corners Then he'll hide in a bush and
call piteously for help. wish could be
there TO see. The scene should have in It
the true essence of comedy"
Stlhter had no beliefs that could not
be gratified in a scientific way but he
could not altogether explain away the
miraculous coincidence Of Tommy being
the very first person that Celestial
should meet.
why pick out to meet her when she
comes back. from all the millions who
might be the first to meet her. the one
person who was unhappy when she was
taken away. Well. they won't do any
more meeting, II ] can help II. 1t really
looks as II forces of which we under
stand little or nothing. were at work to
bring these two together and spoil my
plans"
Why" said Celestial. do you make
me 20 with your
ITS my duty" said Stnliter; you
can't live in the woods, al the mercy of
the first young man that comes along &"
He was going to take me 20 New
York"
We'll. so am 1; by the next train. But
look here. you seem TO talk nationally
enough he laughed. good-naturedly.
you'll forgive me. but took you for a
aeInented person-that costume. you
know. those Jewels In your hair You
wouldn't expect a sane person 10 dress
That way for a fishing trip. Won't you
tell me who you are?"
i am celestia," she said. Il come from
Heaven TO make the world happier"
She spoke these words in clear. rather
loud voice. 80 that the two guides turned
10 look at her. and the younger Of them
having looked, sheepishly pulled off his
hat, and during the rest Of the march
held It In his hand. lie didn't quite be-
Heve that she came from Heaven. He
didn't quite believe that she didn't. He
proposed 10 take no chances. AZ least
abe was the most beautiful creature he
had ever seen, or ever hoped 20 See.
y stiliiteF passed over the question OF
icslestia's origin; he appeared 10 accept
Il h a matter Of course.
Il hops you will succeed" he said 7
could stand being happier myssiL Won't
you tell me- how you propose 20 so about
the matter"