Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-09-05

Pretty, too; but she's out late. Most
likely her family are friends of DR.. Cor
ham. 1 must have an eye on that young
lady. It is getting dark
That eye was what startled Percie so
dreadfully, moment later; for she hap
pened to look behind her, and there was
that vast creature solemnly stalking
| after her.
"He is following mel" she exclaimed.
Not doubt of it, and the fact that he
stopped or went on just when she did
hardly seemed to help the matter. It
was getting darker and more shadowy
every moment, and Percie would have
been almost willing to run, if she had
had not feared that if she did the dog
would run too. He appeared larger
and larger, every time she glanced be-
hind her, until she was afraid to look
again, and her breathing grew little
hurried.
"Nobody's any business to have such
Cog "she gasped in whisper. "It's
awful"
She seems to be scared about some
thing" thought Tear. "Girls are apt
to be timid. Alb, see It's those rag.
ged rascals coming down the road. Vii.
lainous-looking vagabonds. If there is
anything in this world that I hate, it is
a tramp"
| That is universal sentiment among
dogs of Tsar's social standing; but the
three ruffians who we're now approach
ing were either ignorant of that fact, or
did not know that such O dog was so
very near.
"Dreadful men had been the un-
spoken thought in the mind of Percie
Lee, and it WAS followed by doubt as
to whether she should ever again dare to
come down to the cove.
II must sketch the island" she said,
"but I will come in the forenoon"
The three men were walking abreast
now. and they were plainly determined
not to turn to the right hand or the left
for Percie Lee. She had just time to
grasp that terrible idea and to feel her
heart jump, whea one of them actually
spoke to her.
She never knew what he said and her
only reply, as she retreated few steps
was an altogether unintended little
scream. 1t was not loud one, and was
followed by remarkable consequences.
Tsar had quickened his lordly pace,
full twenty seconds earlier, and for some
reason of his own he had advanced lit.
tie under the shadow of the fence; but
his eyes had not wandered from the hui
man beings in the road before him.
His head and tail were raised triae,
and there was very peculiar expression
on his broad, hairy face. There was no
love of tramps in it at all.
sob, now, we hain't hurt you. You
needn't squall."
That was what the second of those
three 1ufians began to say when an aw-
full, wrathfu), roaring grow], as of warn
ing. sounded from some deep .jawed cav
ern among the shadows at the right OF
Percie Lee. 1t was followed by one
long, elastic, power. expressing bound,
by huge dark for m that in one second
more was croucbing in front of her.
The first and second tramp upset the
third, and tn mbled over him, so sudden
was the retreat they made, while Tsar,
for their special benefit and more at
length, repeated his growl, with a sup
Elementary snarl that sounded fearfully
like the announcement of another spring
forward.
The remarks made by all of those vag-
abonds, as they scrambled to their feet,
were IN manner complimentary to
Tsar, although not intended to be so.
Percie Lee stood behind her protec-
tor, and she could not see, as they did,
the white rows of cleaning teeth, and
the fierce green light in the threatening
eyes. She could perfectly understand,
however, that there was an enormous
amount of good dog between her and any
further approach of ruf6anly insolence.
She was almost astonished at the sudden
feeling of security which came upon her,
and at the entire ease with which she
began to breathe again.
Tsar didnot spring. He did butcrouch
in that picturesque attitude until the
nearest tramp was fifty yards away, on a
steady run; and then he stood erect,
sending after his enemies one deep, SON.
orous " Woof-oof to keep them COM
pany.
Good dog! good fellow!"
"Ur-r-r-r," was the gentle response
of Tsar, and he even wagged his tail,
moderately, but he did not consent to
look around. He walked slowly on up
the road, and it was row Percie's turn
to follow him.
II do rot think I had better leave
her," said Tssr to himself; "Dot even
when we get TO our house."
1t was not until they reached the turn
of the road, away beyond DR.. Gorbam's,
that he at last stood still. Percie wish
ed very much to pat him, but she could
hardly muster courage. and while she
was hesitating there came sound of
wheels, and light buggy pulled up in
the middle of the road.
CDR. Gorhamw
"Pe1cie Leel Is that you? I de.
clare! Miss Leland that great brute
its all my fault. Did he scare you
much, Pe1cie-Miss Lee?"
"Is it your dog, Heber-doctor?"
"Tsar come here, sir !"
"Oh, doctor, don't seold him. He
has been taking care Of me. There
were three of Them"
"Dogs, Miss Lee ?"
"No, sir; trampe. Dreadful-looking
they spoke-he is splendid dog
beautiful"
"He? Ah-well-it's good thing
he didn't take hold of one of them.
Thered have been a fine surgical case
prepared for me, in no time. But how
did he happen to be out? Unmuzzled,
too. 1 remember, now. All my fault. I"
II guess he must have been left out
to take care of me, DOCTOR"
"Ain't I glad of it, though! Now,
Miss Lee, you must step right into my
buggy, and let me carry you home.
Tsar, go home, sir p
He turned to obey, but small, white
hand was on his head as he did so.
"Gooi dog, Tsar; thank you, sir"
It was odd, indeed, but something in