Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-08-20


MAYS beauty was the most reined ana
Come along, May; we'll take Lulu
with ms and go to Hartrcy PARK.
Now Lulu was a little dog, the girt OF
r toni. Steele to Miss Rose, anu q very
He was a long-haired Scotch terrier.
with n little black button OF u nose,
and sharp bark. a
When his mistress called he came
rrnnjno and tumbling towards her,
shaking his head and barking with de-
light Mt the ~prospectsof n run. !,
With thc little dog capering around
them. the two girls set out upon u
, NJ which to one of them, at least,
was to be sadly cventful.
..Whare are we going" asked May.
..To Hartley Park. It's a beautiful
place: and | know Sir Harold's away,
so we can stroll about there just as we
like"
Harley Park was some distance from
the Deacons' house, but neither OF the
two girls thought much OF that.
Nav was well used to walking long
distances, and Rose was by no means
a bad pedestrians; besides, there We're
stiles where they could rest, and clear
springs of cool water, where they could
refresh themselves.
Al last they reached Hartrey PARK,
and passing through the lodge gates.
found themselves in a long avenue or
fine trees, at tie end of which STOOD
the house, an old, red brick mansion,
with long. narrow windows, II a
high root, ~surmounted at each end by u
turret.
Rut il was not the intention of Rose
to go UP to the house.
She wished to show to her cousin the
natural beauties of the park.
She turned from the avenue. ana,
calling TO Lulu, followed n narrow
path. which led to a charmingly pictur-
esque dell, with an old. quantity
carved fountain at the bottom, now
covered with moss and lichens.
1t was a beautiful spot, and worthy
of the name by which it was KNOWN
THE Fairy's Haunt" and Rose had
not been mistaken in supposing IL 10 De
a place which would enchant her
young cousin, who was SO keenly alive
TO the beauties OF nature.
For more than an hour they stroiled
about this lovely spot; and then, seat
ing themselves upon the soft, green
turf. they rested, preparatory to their
homeward walk.
The little Lulu, happy In his freedom.
darted hither and thither, little Needed
By the girls, until, with a sudden yeio
OF terror. they saw him dash from a
small plantation, followed by n huge
retriever.
The next moment the large dog had
overtaken the little terrier and pinned
him to the ground, where he lay pros
trate, bowling dismally.
"Oh, my dog, my poor dog!' cried
Rose. Hell be killed.
May, gathering up her dress, ran to
the rescue of the little terrier.
Come back, May! Come back! The
dog will fly ut you." cried Rose: but
May. nothing daunted. hurried on.
The retriever had a collar around his
neck, and into this May inserted both
her little hands; and then, exerting all
her strength, pulled at it, until the ami
NAL, in danger of being choked, was
forced to release the little terrier, who
fled rapidly to his mistre IS, standing at
a little distance looking on in amaze
ment at her cousins exhibition of
strength and courage.
The retriever erowled fiercely and
shook his head aDgrily.
May felt she could not restrain him,
yet feared he would fly at her II she
released her hold of his collar.
1t might have ended seriously for
III heroine, had not the owner of the
dog ut that mon ent, emerged fiom be-
hind n cluinp of tees.
He was strolling leisurely along.
smoking n cigar; but he no sooner saw
the danger in which May was placed
than. throwing away his cigar, he
called loudly to his dog, and hurried
toward the spot.
Let him go-let him gor he shouted
Here, N~eptune!'
May relies sed her hold Of the collar.
The dog turned around IN her. show
ing his teeth ~sayagely; but a call from
his master made him turn and walk
slowly toward him.
The gentleman still continued to ad-
vance toward May.
As he approached he took off his hat.
revealing a white forehead, and a pair
of laughing blue eyes as he did so
You must excuse my dog" said he:
but for myself, I have no apologies
sufficient"
AS he spoke he could hardly conceal
the admiration he felt for the beautiful
girl who stood before him, her count
enance flushed with excitement. and
her eyes beaming with animation;
while she, for her part, though she had
never e anyone SO handsome. any
one so perfectly a gentleman before.
Something told her it was Ernest
Hartrey whom she was addressing.
1t vas SO; and this was her first
meeting with a man who was destined
to have the greatest influence owe the
whole of her life.
Alas! could she have known to what
that acquaintance would lead, she
would have stunned him hike a SER
pent.
CHAPTER IIy