Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-06
THE AFTERGLOW

once more. Allan struggled up. unmindfui
Of his wounds
beatrice, where is the girlF' he
gasped. - A. ,au
As though by way Of answer, the tail
grovyths awayed and cracked. and through
them a dim figure loomed--a man WIN
something In his arms. ,
"Zangamon painted Allan. springIns
toward him Have you got heT' l"'
girl--is she .alve?'
"She lives. master" :" replied a voice
But as yet she remains without knowledge
'of aught"
Already he had reached zangamon. and
injured Though he was, had taken the be-
loved form in his arms.
Beatrice Beatrice =" he called press
mouth-still warm. thank Cod"
He sank down among the underbrush
and gathered her to his breast. grading
her cherlshlng her 70 him ~ though 10
bring back life and consciousness.
To her heart he laid his ear II beat
She breathed
"The light here Quick
BY its clear ray he saw her hair dis
heveled; her coarse mantle OF brown
stun ripped and torn. and on her throat
long scratches.
Bruises showed on her hands and arms
as from a terrible fight she had put up
against the monster And his heart bled !;
and 10 his lips rose execrations. mingled
with the tenderest words OF pity and love
we must get her back TO the cave at
once" he exclaimed. quick Break
branches Make litter--a bed--to carry
her on. Everything depends on getting
her to shelter now"
But the two Merucaans did not under.
stand. All this was beyond their knowl.
Ia .
girl down very gently, and with them set
to work directing the making Of the
litter
They obeyed eagerly In a few min
utes the litter was ready-made Of fern
tree branches thickly covered with leaves
and odorous grasses.
on this he placed the girl
"You. Zangamon. take these rouehs
here. Bremiu, those others Now l will
hold tho light Back to the cave now
quick :"
we need not the light. master We
see better without H. II dazzles our eyes
Use It for yourself We need It not ex-
claimed Bremilu. stopping above the body
OF the dead monster 20 recover his ak
Involuntarily Allan turned the beam upon
the horrible creature. There stood Bremi-
nI his foot upon the hairy shoulder, tug
ging hard at the aX-handle. Thrice he had
10 pull with all his might TO loosen the
blade which had buried itself deep in the
shattered skull
"A giant gorilla. 50 heiP me :" he cried.
shudderng My God, Beatrice-what
CHASTITY terror you've been through "
Still grinnng feroclously IN death. with
blood-smeared face and glazed staring
eyes. the creature shocked and horrined
even Allan 4 steady nerves. lie gazed upon
It only n moment then turned away.
Enough :" said he. "To the cave
4 auarter-hotT had passed before they
reached shelter again. Allan baue the
Merucaans heap dry wood on the embers
in .ac cavern. while he himself laid Bea-
trice upon the bed.
with q piece Of their brown cloth dipped
in one Of the water jars he bathed her face
and bruised throat
Fresh water! Fetch Jar OF fresh
water from the river below :" he COM
manded Iangamon
But even as the white barbarian started
20 obey the girl stirred, raised hand, and
feebly spoke.
'Auan-oh--are you here again? Allan
my love-
He strained her to his breast and kissed
her; and his eyes grew hot with tears.
Beatrice 80
Her arms were round his neck and their
lips chung.
"Hurt? Are you hurt?" he cried. Tell
mellow"
ALLAN! The monster-is he dead p" abe
shivered sitting up and staring wildly
round at the cave walls, on which the fresh
built fire was beginning TO throw dancing
lights
Dead yes But hush. Beta Don't think
OF that now. Everythng's all rlght-you' re
safe I'm here"
"Those men"
1.-TWO OF our own folk. / brought them
back with me-iust in time, darling
without them"
He broke short off. Not for worlds would