The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-02-19

'little man" that he should nave his din
ner-'syes. he should CHANGING at the
frost gathering on the window she added,
ITS cold and he'll 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
eggs found this morning. Yes, | left
them in the barn. Dear me, they'll
be frozen. must run right out and get
them"
She put baby down hastily, hung a
string of spools from the cradle top, then
set it rocking, and while he struggled
with sturdy, Intellectual clutches to grasp
the swing wonder she caught up the lit
tie rod blanket, threw it over her heard
and started for the BAN.
The trees stretched lace work of bare
branches agant the golden tinted sky,
the crescent moon was n silver thread
all tempting her to linger, but the frosty
air hurried her on down the snow trod-
den path to the barn. She heard Bruno's
step pit pat, pit patting at her heels, and
/ put out her hand, saying checrf lily,
mice d fellow!" but instead of re-
spending 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. IS she
neared it she again spoke to her four
footed escort: 81 forgot about the cattle
Bruno. | am just as well pleased that
you came. Let's hurry"
She half paused ut the door, then, with
an uneasy laugh, forced herself to 90 on.
1t was as dark as pocket inside, hut
she remembered just where she had left
the eggs, on the meal bin in the corner.
Feeling for them, her hand struck the
basket, and picking it up she hurried ON
feeling a vague sense of danger.
She walked with a rapid footstep, for
it was pretty dark and-but then she
heard Brunn's steps 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 a joyful, "Come in Brue-"
But the words died on her lips. for il
was not Bruno that she saw, but long
csouching figure with flaming eyes! The
real Bruno sprang growing from the
fire.
Quick as a flash she crowded too the
door. and dropped the heavy bar; then
sprung and Slammed and la red the mas.
sive window shutters; then stood with
set teeth listening to Bruno savage bay
ing and for something else. What was
it that had been following her so steadily
aud 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 as u kitten. Bruno
had stopped barking and only went
from window to door, growing deep il
his throat, as il from the memory of ~
enemy, Should she let him out? No,
if lie should be Sille there would be nc
protection for hersclf-and then her hus
band! She ordered linn to lie down. ant
he obeyed, but with watchful eyes and
deep growls.
Taking down the shotgun she loads il
with buckshot, trying to keep under thi'
terrible fear at her heart by saying: III,
has the rifle and must see tit isn't very
dark yet"
She had hardly finished loading he
where there arose a sudden bawlins
among the cattle. Bruno sprang baying
to the door. Should she let him GO
He might be able to protect the cattle OF
he might be killed, and then how coulC
she give the alarm to Jack? Thes,
thoughts had hardly passed through he
mind when a rife shot rang out abov,
! the thcr sounds, Her husband!
Quickly opening the door she lie
; Bruno out, then stood trembling an,
sick with her hand on the bar-Minutei
they seemed hours-passcd, and then {
firm step came crcakinG over the snow
In minute the door flew open and Jacl
burst in full of excitement, but insteao
of paying attention to his joyous eXcla
nation, sob, Matte, come and see wha
I've shot, she dropped on the floor ant
cried. This was all the answer that he
bewildcred husband got to kisses anC
= petting and prOtestatiOnS, that ITS al
right, little woman. Why, there il
nothing to cry for" was: ~ thought j
was Bruno, and-and-oh, dear, I'll ncve
go out to the barn again
But she did the next morning, just t.
see her escort of the previous evening
and it was the biggestplnther everkilleC
in those parts.
There" said Jack, 'a5 came dow
the road heard the cows making grea
E racket. So | came across the field, anC
there | could see him sitting on the yarC
fence, showing black against the sky, anC
dropped him at the first shot"
Tie great glossy tawuy skin made Z
splendid rug for baby to play ON before
the fire, but it always gave his mother
the "crccps' to see it., for she said
, ITO think of my putting my hand bach
and almost on that panther's nose!
know if | had happened to stop lt'
would have sprung. Ugh! | never see
the old skin but hear his cushioned
paws pit-pat pit-patting after mel!
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