Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-01-18

it up she hurried up, feeling vague
sense of danger.
She walked with a rapid footstep,
for it was pretty dark and-but then
she heard Bruno'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 q joyful,
"Come in, Bird"
But the words died on her lips, for
it was not Bruno that she saw, but a
long crouching figure with flaming
eyes! The real Bruno sprang growl-
ing from the fire.
Quick as a flash, she crowded to the
door and dropped the heavy bar; then
sprung and slammed and barred the
massive window shutters; then
stood with set teeth listening to Bru
nos savage baying and for something
else. What was it that had been fol-
lowing her SO steadily, SO stealthily in
the dim light? What should she do?
Were they safe now?
She looked at baby He was kick
ing up his heels, happy as kitten.
Bruno had stopped barking and only
went from window to door, growing
deep in his throat, as if from the mem
Dry of an enemy. Should she let him
out? No! if he should be killed there
would be no protection for herself
and then her husband! She ordered
!, ~
with watchful eyes and deep growls.
Taking down the shotgun she loads
it with buckshot, trying to keep under
this terrible fear at her heart by say
ing: ''He has his rifle and must see it
it isn't very dark YETI
She had hardly finished loading her
gun when there arose a sudden bawl-
ing among the cattle. Bruno sprang
baying to the door. Should she let
him go? He might be able to protect
the cattle-or he might be killed, and
then how could she give the alarm to
Jack? These thoughts had hardly
passed through her mind when rife
shot rang out above the other sounds.
Her husband!
Quickly opening the door she let
Bruno out, then stood trembling and
sick with her hand on the bar Min
utes- they seemed hours-passed, and
then firm step came creaking over
the snow. In a moment the door flew
open and Jack burst in full of excite
ment, but instead of paying attention
to his joyous exclamation, con Mat
tie, come and see what I've shot," she
dropped on the floor and cried. This
was all the answer the bewildered
husband got to kisses and petting and
protestations, that, cts all right,
little woman. Why, there's nothing
to cry for,' was: 81 thought it was
Bruno, and-and-oh, dear! I'll never
go out to the barn again!''
But she did the next morning, just
to see her escort of the previous even
ing, and it was the largest panther
ever killed in those parts.
EEThere," said Jack, Eas I came down
the road I heard the COWS making a
great racket. So l ran across the field,
and there I could see him sitting on
the yard fence, showing black against
the sky, and 1 dropped him at the
first shot,
The great, glossy, tawny skin made
a splendid rug for baby to play on be-
fore the fire, but it always gave his
mother the 'creeps' to see it, for, said
she: ''To think of my putting my hand
l. Il.
nose! I know if had happened to
stop or started to run he would have
sprung. Ugh! [ never see the old skin
but hear his cushioned paws pit-pat,
pit patting behind !''-Aner5can
AgricuJtatrist.
ALPHONSO XIII, THE BOY KING.