St. Landry democrat., 1883-06-30

n
sure as the world it's John Westlake!
wonder what he is after! And he
coming right here, and I've nothing o.
but this thin gown! Oh, dear! wha
shall / dop''
Her first impulse was to run, but OBJ
serving that he was coming very eau
i tlously, as it in fear of being seen, ant
knowing that she was undiscovered
curiosity prompted her to stay; so Gid
ing behind hay-stack near by, she wa
IN position to note his actions undis
covered
| Coming to the barn-yard, he rar
across it, in half-stooping posture, tt
the meadow fence. Getting inside, he
began to creep along the fence toward:
the house, much like savage trying tc
steal upon his enemy.
"What does he meanp'' said Mary
her blue eyes dilating in wonder.
The summer-kitchen was a short dis.
tance from the main building and be.
| tween it and the meadow fence was the
| spring.
From the spring issued quite large
stream, flowing under the fence and
across the meadow. Where it flowed
under the fence, near the summer kitch-
en-, was a small but dense thicket of
alders, briars and wild grape-vines.
This was the point for which John
was making.
| Arriving within a few rods of the
house, he ran, STOPPING, across the lit
tie open space of meadow between the
| fence and stream; then, behind the
alders that lined the bank he hurried
along until he reached the thicket, into
which he craWled, and fixed himself so
that he could have view of the window.
Marys eyes flashed in anger.
So, John,n said she, s.you have
been reading the Champion Herald.
Well, we'll see how much information
you'll obtain for your trouble
Then. taking roundabout way, so
that he might not see her, Mary entered
the house and went upstairs to her
room and sat down at a window that
overlooked his hiding-place.
"What splendid place for observa-
tion y said John to himself as he fixed
himself among the bushes.
just then up went TIE window and
out came a pail of dirty water, thrown
by the strong arms of Mrs. johnson.
ugh! ugh y said he, crawling
backward as the dirty shower came
dripping down through the leaves ..this
is circumstance for which made no
calculation.
Belle, where is Mary 81 called Mrs.
johnson to one of the girls.
Upstairs, = said Belle.
Whv what's Sha Io;ro. tLo,o WI
don't she come down and do the milk
ing ?''
don't know" was the reply. |
"She says she's not coming down for
some time; you needn't wait breakfast
for her.
s.JHst as I expectedr' said John,
with sad countenance. .'Those board /
will ruin any girl. I sup
pose they'll carry her breakfast up to
her. ! guess I'll go now; I've learned
IS much as want to know
But John did not 90 Just then; some
hing again occurred for which he had
made no calculation. The Squire had
several dogs, and among them was one
erocious old fellow called Bull. At
racted by the smell of victuals, for
breakfast was now cooking, they had
.athered about the kitchen door, and sit
ing. there with wagging tails were
waiting their morning meal.
At the first rustic of the leaves as
ohm turned round they pricked up their
ars. In moment, after he had moved I
gain, they were over the fence, Jump /
ng and bowling and prancing around \
ne thicket as if it contained their great I
st enemy. =
Hi, there! Hist, Bull! Go in, Ro- i
er! Hurrah, Bob, dogs have got
abbit'' shouted the boys, running out e
nd bombarding the thicket with S
hover of sticks and stones, which
lade John lie as fiat as skirmisher t
nder the fire of whole line of con- 8
saled enemies.
/" Get out there! Get out! What in r
lunder's all this fuss about?'' growled
le Squire, coming to the spring to wash
1d thinking the dogs were after cat s,
bird. II
In few minutes the family went to a
and the dogs left the thicket. Il
The coast seemed clear.
Now or never!' said John, as he be-
III to crawl towards the edge at which 81
came in.
A low savage growl stopped him. d
ere, right in his front, was old Bull.
fetched out, with his head between N
paws, winking at him, and SEEM
to say: 1--WE got you now, young g
low!''
:. Poor old Bull!'' said John, coax m
sly.
A low growl was his only answer. tn
My poor old fellow! Come here,
mt you?' said John, patting on his sa
ee.
Another growl, fiercer than ever. en-
Il was too old to be tiattered. te
John now was mad. ne
.Confound you, you old scoundrelp' 1e