The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-08-22

time Andy caught sight of the rickety
fight of steps leading to the loft.
He assembled in two or three bounds,
and reaching the upper floor, gave his
hand to Joe. II was well that he did
SO, for the latter was still on the last
step when the rotten old concern
went down with crash, so soaring
the panther-who was already inside
that he bolted out to the road in
fright. ..
For an instant Joe was in danger OF
going down with the steps, but his
companion managed to drag him up,
and then they hastily showed the trap
which thsy found lying near
over the opening.
No windows we're in the loft, but
there were plenty of holes in the floor
and in the roof overhead. Through
the former the boys could see the
great brute moving about in the room
below, shifting and whining, and oc-
casionally uttering a blood.curdling
screech.
Presently quick, rasping sound
was heard, as the creature went up the
side of the cabin like a great cat, and
they heard him creeping softly over
the roof.
1t was well for them that the Chin
ney had no communication with the
loft, for the brute suddenly decided
to go down, and did so with O swift
ness that landed him on his back in
the fireplace below. Vastly surprised
and indignant, that panther must have
been to find himself where he started
from. He screamed with fury two or
three times, and then wandered aim
lessly about the house, uttering low
"yowls."
The boys felt themselves safe, but
when two or three hours had elapsed,
the siege began to grow irksome. II
must be ten or eleven o'clock, and
they knew there was little chance of
the creature taking himself off before
daylight.
1--WE have whole long night before
u.s." said Andy, sadly. "And We won't
take wink of sleep either"
"That's true" assented Joe. "But
say, I wonder where the brute is
now?"
The question was speedily answered,
but not by Andy.
The quick, rasping noise was heard
again, and then soft footsteps on the
roof. This time the hungry creature
did not content himself with peeping
down through the cracks. He chose
weak spot and began to dig viciously.
The loose shingles flew in all direc-
tions, and soon jagged hole was
made in the roof, through which the
boys could see the brute's head and
shoulders and his glaring eyes.
"We're lost il he keeps that up"
cried Andy. "We must drive him
away"
They began to shout with oil their
might and to throw up bits of plaster
and wood; but the savage brute went
on digging, screeching furIously all
the while, and soon the gap was large
enough for him to spring through.
A few seconds more would have
seen him down in the loft, without
doubt, but Just as the terribly
frightened boys were dragging away
|
ping into the lower room, loud shout
was heard, and then another and an
other, and the hurried rattle of wheels.
When they looked up the panther
had disappeared, and a second later
they heard him leap to the ground.
The boys dropped uniniured through
the opening, and ran out to the front
of house, Just as wagon drove up,
containing Mr.. Brydon and Joe's
father. They were delighted to find
the boys safe, but before explanations
could be made on either side, the
angry screech of the bafiled panther
was heard little ways down the
road, and mingled with it loud cry
of "Help help!" ...
The postmaster aud Mr.. Bostick
were armed with rifles, and, springing
ont of the wagon, they ran ahead,
followed by the boys. a
When they reached the spot whence
the noise seemed to come, both beast
and man had disappeared. The panther
! could be heard going up the the hill
, , side with angry yowls, but where was
his victim?
As the men look at each other in
amazement, rustling noise was heard
in tree close by.
, "Come down there" cried the post
> master, and in response to his summons
q tall, lanky figure dropped clumsily
q to the ground. 1t was Liant Kennedy.
, "What on earth are you doing here p
| demanded Mr.. Brydon. "This amt
! the way to Yocumtown. rI
r Liant became so confused in trying
4 to reply that the suspicious of the
| party were aroused, and they finally
, made the miserable fellow confess that
he had purposely preceded the boys
with the intention of stealing the mail
pouch from them and hiding it Sc
| curely, so that Jack Carter would be
, deprived of his contract.
He had climbed the tree when the
, boys took refuge in the house, and
. had been afraid to leave the spot, for
> he had only an empty revolver in his
pockat With which he had hopad to