Cinder Path Tales

PADDY'S PROBATION not much more in the game than an un­ attached pair of legs, and with one more would have been the complete picture ofthe well-known heraldic device appropriated by the Isle of Man. "Two Pieces," like many another fresh­ man, had suffered an extremely dangerous attack of athletic fever, choosing the high hurdles for his special efforts. But although he could almost step them in his stride, with­ out any lift at all, he was so deathly slow between, that he did poorly enough. He trained, however, ina desperate fashion, and was half daft with the idea that he would some time startle the fancyand fracture the record. Early and late " Two Pieces" might be seen taking his flights over the hurdles, his left leg tucked under him, like a startled crane, his right dragging after, and every other stick tumbling ifhe tried to make time faster than a good walker. It so happened that Mason's wasthe last card, and I finished it only a few minutes before midnight. At this hour all was silent but the ticking of the clock and the snap­ ping of the wood fire on the grate. I was just preparing to take my departure when suddenly the oppressive silence of the mid­ night was broken by the most horrible yell that ever assailed my ears. It fairly curdled