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Copyright, 1905, by David C. Cook Publishing Company.
Vou. IV. No. 43, {PUBLISHED
DAVID C. COOK PUBLISHING CO., Excin, ILLtnors, AND 36 Wasuinctron St., Cuicaco,
October 28, 1905.
The Halloween Sur-
prise Party—®» Olive Huck
“ We'll certainly have a jolly good time
to-night,” remarked Will Waterman, the
youngest of the three boys, members of
the junior class inthe high-school. “I’m
glad it’s going to. be for just our class.”
They were standing at the gate of John
Grover’s home, where the entertainment
under discussion was to be held.
. t’s y for us, too,” said’ Herbert
Kemper, the eldest, “ that Halloween comes
on Friday this year, for I suppose it’s
the same with you two as with me—the
powers -that be don’t believe in parties
except during vacation. What’ll we do
to-night, anyway, John?’ -
“ Oh, everything, I guess,” laughed John,
“judging by those girls’ great prepara-
tions. All of the usual things, of course.
But they put me out in a hurry, and I
don’t really know much more than. you.”
“Tt will all be new to me,” Will -de-
elared. “I’ve never been to a Halloween
party. Tell us a few things—do.”
“Helen wouldn't give me all their pro-
gram; there’s lots of things they think
are dark secrets, and they’re planning sur-
prises for us. I tell you, boys, we’ve got
to look out when Helen and Mabel put
their heads together. We’re to roast pecans,
pop corn in the fireplace, make fudge,
of course, or the girls wouldn’t think it
fun, and bob for apples. Then there’s
that cellar business; they say we’ve got
to tackle it as well as the girls, and
right there’s where we must look out for
mischief.” And he explained the backward
descent and other rites which would be
but so many traps to catch the unwary.
Shortly; merry chatter and laughter
reached the boys, as from the doorway
issued nine happy, smiling girls, who,
hastening down the walk, paused a mo-
ment with teasingly. mysterious remarks
concerning ‘tests’ of courage in store.
Mabel’s parting shot was at Jobn.-
be the surprise party of your life,”
said gayly.
Searcely had the girls gone when John’s
“Tell
she
father rode up, apparently in haste.
“Good!” he cried. “I’m glad you’re on
hand, John. I want you to go up the
river with me in half an hour. Have you
pony saddled, blankets and our guns
ready.” Ue turned to depart. . .
“To-night!- Ob, father!” John ° ex-
claimed, exhibiting surprise and disappoint-
men!
“ Why not to-night?” asked Mr. Grover,
astonished at John’s reluctance, the trip
being one for which he was always eager.
“Our. class gives a party. to-night, and
it’s to be bere at our house. I thought—
I think perhaps I joughtn’ t to 50, if you’ "1
excuse me, father.”
-“ There would still be Ielen and James
to play host .and hostess. If your pres-
ence is requisite, of course Vu haye to
dispense with your company,” was the
pleasant rejoinder; yet with serious face,
Mr. Grover murmured, “I wanted at least
one man I could depend upon.”
John’s cheek flushed at the unintentional
compliment of being-reckoned in a man’s
place when his years numbered but fif-
teen.
“If you need me, father, of course I'll
go; but couldao’t we start early to-morrow
instead?”
“Impossible! It’s urgent.” And the
three boys listened with interest while Mr.
Grover related the bad news just received,
“Morton came down from his farm, ad-
joining my ranch. We would have come
in several days ago but for his baby’s
illness.. He’s in charge-and “looks after
the ranch while Thompson is absent for
the week. Two nights, alternating, two
lambs have been killed. Morton is puz-
zled at the skipping a night, and to-night
being the time when another_loss may be
apprehended, he’s anxious for me to be on
hand, especially since he cannot leave his
sick child. I’ve determined to watch to-
night and stop the slaughter.”
“Do you think it’s wolves, Mr. Grover?”
asked Herbert.
“Morton believes so—in fact, says it
cannot be anything else, although he says,
too, that pone have been heard yet this
season. We'll have a hunt and find out.”
“A wolf hunt! Say, John, I'll go in
your place, if your father will let me,”
Will volunteered. “It'll beat the party
every. aa
“Well, John?” Mr. Grover questioned.
“T> guess Vil see you through .this,”
Jobn replied, with mock gravity that set
them all to laughing heartily as they turned
away, after having congratulated him upon
his coming trip and wished him good-luck.
“Be sure to bring us back a
wolfskin apiece,” called out
Herbert.
“Tl try,” responded John.
Half an hour later found
John’s preparations complete,
guns and ammunition ready,
blankets rolled tightly in ap-
proved campaign fashion, not
omitting an unusually good
luneh, to which I[elen had con-
tributed sundry dainties as par-
tial consolation for the. good
time her brother would lose.
But John, having seen ‘where
his duty led, and having once
taken his decision, had resolute-
ly put all regrets ‘aside and was
entering into the spirit of the
expedition, not being one i
undertake anything half- heart-
edly.
Equally prompt, Mr, Grover
returned at the specified time,
when they set out at once at a
good pace to travel the nine
miles, for the afternoon was al-
ready advanced. They enjoyed
the sound of the horses’ hoofs
crushing through the thickly--
fallen oak leaves on the out-
skirts of the town. The crisp
northerly -breeze elevated the
spirits of both riders and their
mounts. After they had crossed
the railroad track, John’s de-
light in the ride effervesced in a
mad gallop, on which he urged
his well-trained pony to feats
of greater speed by fairly
they rode westward, the’ road running
through woods of mountain cedar and live-
oak, and descending to the Colorado River.
On the bank they deflected their course
some yards, to drink from the bubbling
Mormon Springs, then set their faces again
northward. Their road lay beneath the
cliffs of Mt. Bonnell, partially bordered
on the river side by huge bowlders. Taking
every advantage of good stretches of road,
they continued steadily their journey and
reached their destination, in the vicinity
of Bull Creek,. just before sunset. Mor-
ton, unable to meet them, had sent two
brothers, Bob and Jim Ilammond, eighteen
and twenty years respectively, They were
waiting at.the road which turned off to
the ranch. They were armed and accom-
panied by two hounds of mixed breed, and,
for the benefit of these, Jim wore osten-
tatiously a large horn slung about his neck.
“T reckon we'll have spo’t if it’s wolves,”
Jim announced to John, as they rode for-
ward. “These bere dogs are smart, and ’I
set, on their trail mighty quick.”
“T hope so. Have you seen any lately
hereabouts?” John asked.
“Not since late last winter, in that aw- |
a old snap. Seems early for ’em this
Ferob was overheard imparting similar
information to Mr. Grover.
Arrived at the ranch, after having at-
tended to their horses and partaken, pic-
nie-fashion, of their lunch, they dis-
cussed plans for the night.
“We'll take our stands at those points
from which~the wolves are. most likely te-
Sa
ST Bd
“ll stay here in this corner between
the barn and the cistern, where I’ve a good
view of the flock,” continued Mr. Grover,
who naturally had chosen the most re-
sponsible position.
Bob, being the oldest, you may hide at
the mouth of the ravine leading up from
near the water.”
“ Why—er—no, sir. I think—I reckon
—I’d best be clost ’round here, so’s to
help you,” Bob interrupted hastily, yet
with some embarrassment. “Say over
yonder, to the east side.”
“Very well,’ replied Mr. Grover, This
place, too, was important. ‘“ Then, Jim,
you and your hounds might go there.” .
“T never in this world could keep them
bounds still there. They’d skeer ’em off—
the wolyes—’fore ever we'd get a shot—
they’d be that res’less and uneasy.”
John grinned, his father suppressed a
smile, both aware of the true reason for
the brothers declining the post second in
importance, although they knew, too, that
no element of fear of man or wild beast
caused the frightened exchange of glances
between the Ilammonds, ou'll go,
John?” Mr, Grover asserted, rather than
said.
“Sure, father. It’s the best station, and
’m glad you boys don’t want it.”
“Tl go ’long, too, if you say so,” vol-
unteered -Bob, half-ashamed of his panic--
stricken refusal the moment before.
“ John will be able to hold the fort alone.
Now, to our stations.”
Through the dusk John went the half
mile away, blanket on his back,
carrying his repeating Win-
chester. [Ie suppressed instantiy
the whistle that came naturally
to his lips while in the open air.
Laughing softly, he thought,
“If the lammond brothers had
known what night it is, they
couldn’t have refused quicker,
I don't believe, though, they’re
really afraid of anything else
on earth except ghos
On he went, climbing cau-
tiously over rocks and fallen
trees, his foot sinking once into
the decayed trunk of an. oak,
from which a large snake glided.
Upon reaching his designated
the stars were all out,
luminously
so that, with the white
road and rocks, it seemed light
by comparison — with the dark
walk, he seated himself close in
the shadow of a huge bowlder,
against which he leaned com-
fortably. The first hours passed
swiftly without any signs of
the marauders,
Suddenly the soft patter of
feet, a shuffling noise, an
panting, breathing sound star-
tled John into alertness. He
grasped his gun, across his
knees. Creeping across the
road came first one four-footed
good imitations of a cow-boy's
yell. To await his father, whom
he had left behind, he slackened
speed at the top of the steep hill,
ran along the side of the Drill Grounds.
Secretly admiring his son’s skillful horse-
manship, Mr. Grover rejoined him,
“After all, it’s just as well
came, father,” declared John,
“ Perhaps betLer.
“* Good!” returned his father, as they
were crossing the small bridge at the foot
of the declivity. For a short distance
that I
smiling.
which~
JOHN SAW A LONG, GHOSTLY FIGURE.
come,” said Mr. Grover, familiar with the
country around since his boyhood. “It’s
still warm enough to leaye the sheep in
the pasture, the same as usual, instead of
driving them intg*the fold, as I intend hav-
ing done after to-night.”
“When are the wolves likely to show
up?” asked John.
“Any time between dusk and dawn, I
suppose,” answered his father,
form, followed shortly by a
second.
John sprang up, an uneasy
feeling mingled with relief at
the coming of the long-looked-for wolves.
But these feelings vanished as a third
figure emerged from a clump of trees and
a voice he recognized as Jim’s~ cried,
“Hello! Don’t shoot!. It’s me.”
“What are you doing here, anyway?”
demanded John, vexed at having been
causelessly startled.
“Came over for a little gossip.”
“And deserted -your post. I’ve got to
