The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-05-19

generals which shed such lustre on our
Union arms, so rapid was his grasp OF
the strategical situation, and his as
sumption of its key.
II think that would hardly be right,
he said. 1T would interfere with the
town authorities, and make trouble.
But I'll tell you what I'll do'--artfully
"I'll sit here on the wall close beside
you, and if the animal makes the least
attempt at violence, will jump over and
protect YOU, even If it costs me the last
drop of blood.
'Ben, don't be absurd. would much
rather have the COW turned out, or be
helped out myself"
cit would never do; trust me, it would
never do" persisted the audacious lover.
"And you. know you may feel perfectly
safe when you have me within foot OF
you. am not at all afraid OF cows"
Within foot! Ben might we'll say so.
He was leaning over the wall now, and
very near indeed to Kitty's downcast
brown eyes.
''Now tell me, proceeded Ben dropping
the bantering tone for one much more
tender-''tell me, Kitty, dearest Kitty,
what did you mean by planning to
go away, day after tomorrow, without
saying a word about it to me?"
''How did you know"
"Mrs. Burnetgave me hint; she felt
sorry for me, suppose; but l should
have known somehow if she hadn't. How
could you do so? Why did you, dear?"
ben. I'll tell you," said Kitty, with
sudden resolution. 81 was-I was going
away because I'm afraid to stay near
you any longer just now. don't know
my own mind. I'm afraid Of making
mistake"
"The mistake of saying mo to me?"
cor yes The truth is, you bewitch
me somehow when am with you. 1
can't Judge, can't tell, how it is. want
to look soberly at the thing, to decide as
q rational woman should in o matter of
conseque nce.'
kitty, there is nothing rational about
love. I don't want you to decide in that
way. If you do, all is up with me. How
cruel of you to think to rob me OF my
one chance! Don't know that once
you leave me and 60 away, i shall seem in
your eyes the unworthy creature that
am, that all men must be, of anything so
precious rs yourself, your love, your
sweetness, your pure ardent nature. My
only hope is in winning you against
calm Judgment and common sense; in
making you feel that with all my faults,
and little as deserve it, I love you so
much as to be worth just little for
loves sake. Oh, Kitty, listen-don't
gow
"Ah, Ben," cried Kitty, flushed, quiv-
o.:~~ ,,1oosoJ p,oyoI ssT Ouuhf mott
But precisely at this juncture the red
Ayrshire raised her head, gave . GOO
which to Kitties ears was like threaten
ing roar, and charged at a brisk trot
directly toward their corner. Kittie's
words broke into wild shrek, as, Jump
ing to hef feet in complete disregard of
the sprained ankle. she stretched her
hands and cried, "Oh, Ben, save me!
save me!'
In second he was over the wall. An
other saw the COW in full retreat, and
Kitty in his arms.
"Take me away" she sobbed, hiding
her eyes on his shoulder.
"Will you promise not to go? Will
you promise to listen to all want to
say?' demanded the wary Ben.
"Oh, yes, anything, dear Ben. I'll
promise anything if only you will help
me to q safe place, away from that de-
vouring beast" quavered Kitty.
No exact report exists with regard to
the proceedings of the next few minutes.
Suffice it to cay that when Judith, speed
ing on in advance of the carly all,
reached the scene of action quarter of
an hour later, she stood transfixed at the
spectacle OF Kitty sitting on the topmost
ledge of Sunset Rock, her hand fast held
in Bens, and such pair of happy eyes
and blazing cheeks as could only be-
token crisis of blissful description.
"Why, how did-Ben, when did you
get here, and how did You find out
where Kitty WASP" demanded the amazed
Judith.
TT was the cow" explained Ben,
waving his hand toward the Pound.
81 m going down now to order pair OF
silver-gilt tips to her horns"
"Yes, it was the COW, it really was"
added Kitty, the sparkle of fun displac-
ing the lingering dew in her brown eyes
lit was all the COW. Had it net been
for that dreadful animal over there, and
the mean advantage which Ben took OF
my helplessness and my unprotected
situation, should never have been So"
She paused for o word.
Happy" suggested the daring Ben.
"Well, yes," said Kitty, meeting his
eyes with her own.
n@~>