The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-02-20
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
A Dangerous Companion,

tub HOHlt.
Pausing in her meditatiOns, she lis
tened a moment and then glanced from
the winter sunshine on the floor to TIE
little Dutch clock on the shelf, saying
aloud, ''Why! only 3 o'clock and the
cows coming home already! Jack said
he had put their fodder in the little
pasture where they would be shelteaed
from the wind"
She arose and went to the window
murmuring, perhaps wolf has fright
ened them. Well, the gates. are open
and they have gone into the yard"
Baby, reused by her exclamation, ut
tered sleepy protest at being, walked
from his nap for even the most astOnish-
ing cause, so sitting down, she hushed
him to sleep again and then went ON
with her knitting, saying, eagerly, Il
need not worry. if it is anything it won't
come into the clearing before daylight,
and Jack will come home before it Ia
dark
| Meanwhile the sunlight slipped quiet
ly away from the little window, the fire
| LIGHT grew redder and redder. and the
shadows darksned as the early winter
twilight came on. Mrs. WadswOrth
rolled up her knitting and put the bread
| in the oven. Baby had walked and WAS
! growing restless, so she took him up,
pausing in her plans for Jacks supper
| TO assure her little man" that he should
have his dinner-'yeS he should.
CHANGING at the frost gathering ON the
window, she added: Its cold and he IL
be terribly hungry. but the biscuits will
| be hot and I'll Just cook up some eggs
! to eat with them Now wonder what
did with those | found this morning.
| Yes, left them in the barn. Dear me.
they'll be frozen. must run right out
and get them"
She puts baby down hastily, hung a
string of spoons from the cradle top,
then set it rocking, and while he strug-
| gled with sturdy. Intellectual clutches TO
grasp the swing wonder, she caught up
the little red blanket, threw it over her
head and started for the barn.
| The trees stretched a lace work Of
branches against the golden tinted sky,
the crescent moon was silver thread,
all tempting her to linger, but the
| frosty ar hurried her on down the snow
trodden path to the barn. She heard
Bruno's step pit pat, pit patting at her
heels, and put out her hand, saying
cheerily, Mice old fellOw!" but instead
of responding with touch of his cold
nose, he seemed to pause and draw back.
| Yet Martha, without looking behind
her, stepped briskly on to the barn.
As she neared it she again spoke TO her
four footed escort: 81 forgot about the
cattle, Bruno. l am just as well pleased
that you came. Let's hurry"
She half paused at the door, then.
with an uneasy laugh, forced herself 30
go on.
1t was as dark as pocket inside, but
she remembered Just where she bad
left the eggs, on the meal bin in the
corner. Feeling for them, her hand
struck the basket, and picking il mp she
hurried up, feeling vague SENSE %
danger.
She walked with a rapid fOOtstep, for
it was pretty dark and-but then she
heard BrunO's step behind her, and
with him she was safe. However, she
was glad to reach the house, and running
up the steps flung open the door, and
turned back with joyful, Come in
| Bru-"
But the words died on her lips, for it
was not Bruno that she saw, but long,
crOuching figure with flaming eyes.
The real Bruno sprang growing from
the fire.
Quick as flash, she crowded 20 the
door and dropped the heavy bar: then
sprung and slammed and barred the
massive window shutters; then stood
with set teeth listening to BrunO's
savage paving and for something else.
What was it that had been following
her so steadily, so stealthily in the dim
light? What should she do? Were
they safe now? She looked at baby.
He was kicking up his heels, happy a.
kitten. Bruno had stopped barking
and only went from window to door,
growing deep in his throat, as if FROM
the memory of an enemy. Should she
let him out? No! if he should be killed
there would be no protection for her
self-and then her husband! She order
Bruno to lie down, and he Obeyed, but
with watchful eyes and deep yrOwls.
Taking down the shot gun she loaded
it with bucks OF trying to keep under
this terrible fear at her heart by saying:
He has his rifle and must see tit
isn't very d&:'r. yet"
She had hardly finished loading her
gun when there arose a sudden bawt-
ing among the cattle. Bruno sprang
baying to the door. Should she let him
20? He might be able to protect the
cattle or he might be killed, and then
how would she give the alarm to Jack:
These thoughts had hardly passed thro'
her mind when a rifle shot rang out
above the other sounds. Her husband.
Quickly opening the door she let
BrulO out, then stood trembling and
sick with her hard on the bar. Minutes
they seemed hOurs-passed. and then
firm step came creaking over the
snow. III moment the door flew open
and Jack burst in full of excitement.
but instead of paying attention to his
Joyous exclamation, "Oh, Matte, come
and see what I've shot," she dropped on
the floor and cried. This was all the
answer that her bewildered husband
got to kisses aGd petting, that Its
all right, little woman. Why, there Is
nothing to cry for" was: Il thought it
was Bruno, and-and-Oh, dear! I'll
never go out to the barn again.w
But she did the next morning, Just to
see her escort OF the previous evening.
and it was the biggest panther ever
killed in those parts.
There" said Jack, ''as | came down
the road heard the cows making
great racket. So ran across the field.
and there could see him sitting on the
yard fence, showing black against the
sky, and dropped him at the first
shot"
The great glossy, tawny skin made
splendid rug for baby to play on before
the fire, but it always gave his mother
the ''creeps" to see it. for, said she:
ITO think of me putting my hand back
and almost on that panther's nose! /
know if had happened to stop or start,