The rustler., 1891-12-25


yard II was fun for her 20 watch him
Every time he got near the turkey. Il
took itself OF 81 less dangerous 10
caliiys and when. after chasing Il
around and anound the enclosure. he
finally got the creature by the legs. IL
happed il wings in hts face. and b. let
II 20 Ey this time Martha was
screaming with laughter.
let me catch Il Tor yon." she said.
NO said Travcrs. dctcrmine,lly.
''Tm in for Il now.
IL was q wild ehase-quiie absurd.
indeed. because il was ~ unnecessary;
and when Travers finally captured his
prey. Martha had completely lost her
composurc
''Nhat are You going Go do now?H she
asked. as he gave the gobblcr snake.
Il don't know any torture too great
for him. said Travers. breathlessly.
After all the trouble he has caused
me, ] think ] should like 10 roast him
alive
And serve him with a garnish Of
burned feathers DO yon think you
would really enjoy your revenge"
''Oh. ] shall do exactly a. you told
me. said Travcrs. taking up the AK
Il shall not allow myself the least in.
dulgence of my inelinations'
"a was some time before he got the
turkeys head ON the block properly.
do hurry up" cried Martha, shut
ting her eyes "lou make me nervous I"
Almost at the same moment there
was dull thud. a. Travers brought
the ax down vigorously. but at the
critical moment the turkey gave fran
tic flop, Travers let go, as usual, and
the lucky fowl escaped from under the
aN, to fly screaming over the fence.
Martha opened her eyes, and saw .
growing pool Of blood, but no turkey.
Travers was down on one knee, holding
| his foot
''oh, she cried, flying TO him, ''you
have cut your foot! / am 80 sorry! Is
it badly hurt?"
"Yes-l'm afraid-it's pretty nearly
cut off, said Travers
lie was growing very white. for the
blood poured over everything. and in a
moment more he fell over quite uncon
| scious.
Martha was badly frightened. but
she knew what to do, and did H.
Quick as fash, she made of her apron
n ligature for the wounded leg, while
her shrill cry for help brought her
father and the hired man quickly TO the
scene.
Travers had indeed almost severed
his foot in twain, but the surgeon who
was summoned promised 10 save the
member, il the patient would follow
/ his direction
"of course he viii do that, said
Martha, briskly. I'm see To IL 1
have him in my power now. lie will
have To do as | say. There will be no
sketching now till after Christmas
lie ought 10 mind YOU" said the
doctor. you saved his life" lie
would have bled to death in II very few
minutes"
II am afraid can't clpim obedience
on that score" said Martha, regret
| fully. "If IL hadn't been for rue, il
wouldn't have happened in the first
place
Travers smiled languidly, and whis-
| pered Il think ! am a very lucky
fellow, If you are going to take care of
me-"
And so do /. said the doctor,
promptly: IL always said, Martha,
that there was no one in Abingdon
who could nurse like you, and think
] should rather enjoy months living
on your cookery.
Long before they would let Travers
put his foot down, he had lost his
pallor and was looking better than he
had done before. But it was not
more firmly on his feet and sat down
to dinner u well man.
Mr.. Stokes was away tending a sick
friend, SO that Travers had TO take the
head of the table.
You will have TO carve" said
Martha, as the Christmas turkey came
in, brown and beautiful under the
crown of holly.
'Oh, mercy, cruel maid" cried
Travers in dismuy.
ut isn't as bad as chopping off
heads, said Martha, encouragiugly.
"Hou can't kill yourself"
But ! don't know howl" pleaded
poor Travcrs.
Neither do |. And mother can't,
you know, with rheumatism in her
hands Never mind! Chop II up,
somehow. 1t will taste just as we'll.
Travers saw he was in for it, and
rose to the occasion, but not without
fear. The turkey was n splendid big one.
but he had not the least idea how to
get at IL. 1t was easy enough shaving
slices off the breast, but the joints
worked him up into fever. He did
not know where to find them.
"The anatomy of this fowl stri kes
me as being somewhat remarkable"
he said, looking savagely at retrac-
tory drumstick which seemed to be fur
nished with steel hinge.
''Thee will find the joint further
down, Friend Travers," said Mrs.
Stokes, gently. Don't hurry; take
thy time to ii.
'oh, yes" said Travers, hopefully.
Here il is"
Az tha eano t;pna ba ,nada N ,.tId