The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1892-03-03

the swing wonder. she caught mp tue rec
blanket. threw IT over her head aud slsr
ted for the barn.
The trees stretched lace vcfk OF bar
branches sgsius, The golden sky, Ihe eres'
cent moon vssa silver thread. sli temp'sns
her 70 linser, but the frosty ait hurried
her on down the snow iroddsn path 10 th'
barn. She heard Brunos step pil pat. pa
psttiog at her heels ard put out aer bsnd
ssy log cheerfnlly. Nice old iclloal bu
instead Of responding With touch Of hi'
cold nose. be seemed TO psnse and drsv
back. Yet Martha. without looking be
hind her, stepped br,shl, on ~ tho barn
As she reared II sbe again spoke 10 bel
four footed escort: forgot sbont th'
cattle, Bruno. l am Just s we'll pleased
that you came. Lsts hurry
She half paused st the door, then, with
IN uneasy laugh. forced herselt to go in
Ii vas dark NJ pocket inside, bat che
remembered Just where she had ieit the
Eggs, on the meal bin 10 the corner Feel
ing for them. her hand struck ths basket,
aud picking IL up she hurried up. ieelins Z
vague sense OF danger.
She walked with rapid footstep, for !,
WAS pretty dark and bu, then ste heard
Bruno's steps behind her aud with him
she was sale. However sic Vas z sd to
reach the house. and ruuning mp tho steps
fang open the door, and turned back With
a joyful. Come IN. Bru-
But The words died on her lips, Tor IL
WAS not Bruno that she saw. but . long
crouohiug figure With flaming eyesl The
real Bruno sprapg growing from the trs.
Quick ss fash. she crowded 10 the
door and dropped the heavy bar, then
sprspg and slammed and barred the mas
siye window shutters; then stood with set
teeth listening to Brupo's savage bnyins
and for something else. What was II that
had been following her 20 stealtbily IN the
dim light? What should sue dop Were
they ssie now2
She looked at baby. He was kicking mp
his heels. happy asa kitten. Bruno bad
stopped barking and only went from the
window to the door, growing deep in his
throat, as il from the memory of IA enc
nv. Should che let him out2 mol II he
should be killed there would be no pro-
lection for herself She ordered Bruno to
lie down and be obeyed, but With watch
iul eyes and deep srowls.
Taking down the shotgun she loaded 1t
with buckshot, trying to keep under this
terrible fear at her heart by saying; He
has bis rifle and must see tit isn't very
dark yet.
She hardly finished loading her gun
y ben there arose sudden bawlins among
the cattle. Bruno sprane bsying to the
door. Should she let him go9 He might
be able to protect the cattle -or he might
be killed, and then how conld she give The
alarm to Jack2 These thoughts bad hard
" passed through her mind when rifle
shot rang out above the other sounds Her
husband!
Quickly opening the door she let Bruno
out, then stood trembling aud sick with
her hand on the bar. Minutes they
seemed hours passed, and then firm
step came creakiug over the snow. In a
moment the door flew open and Jack bnrs'
in full Of excitement, bu. instead of pay
ing attention to his Joyous exclamation
Oh, Matte, come and soc what I've slot,
she dropped on the floor aud cfied. This
was all the answer that her bewildered
husband got to kisses and pst'ing and
protestatiops, that It's oil right, little
woman. Why, there's nothing to cry for,
was: thought it was Bruno, and--snd
oh, desrl I'll never 90 out TO the barn
again!
Bot she did the next morning. Just to
see her escort Of the previous evening, and
it was the largest panther ever killed 10
those parts.
There, sail Jack, as came down the
road / heard the cows making great
racket. 30 l ran across the field, and
there could see him sitting on the yard
fence showing black agsinst the sky, aod
| dropped him the first shot.
| The great, glossy. tswny skin male a
splendid rug for baby to play on be'ore
the FIRE, Tut it always gave bis mother the
creeps to see it. for. said she: To think q
my putting my hand back and almost On
that panthers oeel ! know II hsd hap
pened to stop or started to tun BE- woui
have sprung Ugbl never see the old
skin but hear its cushioned paws pit pat
| nit Mating bahiDd me