The Newtown bee., 1897-07-09

heavy gust of rain, glided rapidly over
to the opening. 1t was tight squeeze,
but Selma was slender as we'll as de-
termned. She gathered her skirts close
about her, set her teeth, clenched her
hands and edged her way rapidly
through.
AS she emerged she glanced up and
down the short street, sped along to the
end of it and took her way across the
flats. How the rain did come down and
how the wind blew! But Selma had no
umbrella to hold and was accustomed to
walking through puddles without rub
bers, so she got on very well. At last
she reached hill, and here the surround
ings began abruptly to change. The
weather-b beaten tenements gave way to
smart looking apartment houses, and
these again TO pretty homes with
| grounds" and lace curtains in the win
| uO"Ss "A lIbLlS 1dI LLlCI Ou bAAG AOuSS DC-
came more imposing. There were light
ed plazzas and vestibuled door. 1t was
in one of these-the one at the top of the
hilI-that the superintendent lived.
Selma reached it at last, half drowned
and out of breath. The house was bril-
liantly lighted, and there were moving
shadows on the window shades. Selma
was afraid to go to the back door, for the
big dog Bruno was probably there, and
he might not recognize her as one of his
friends. Besides-if somebody else
should be hanging about among the
trees-yes, the front door would certain.
ly be best,
So, finally, the slight figure in the
drenched waterproof ventured up the
piazza steps and rang the bell. 1t was
answered by sensible-looking girl in a
summoned all her courage. SIS Mr. Ed
wards in? May L see him?'' she faltered,
eagerly. The girl looked down at her in
surprise, and glanced at her wet feet and
the polished floor of the hall. "No, he
isn't in, and you oughtn't to be out in
such rain," she said, with decision.
you'll have to come in the morning if
you want to see him. and the next in
slant GSelma was standing outside the
closed door looking up helplessly at the
silk draperies. "WeI," she thought,
turning away, 81 guess the dog'l have
to go. Mabe they've put something into
his supper already. I'm awful sorry,
cause of the superintendent. He
wouldn't "a shut-O my l b'lieve that's
Them Jack Davis and Joe and the
other fellows-yes, sir, it is. They're
goin' to do it now. Whatever shall do !
He sets so much by that dog! He said
so himself that time he come to see me.
Selma, says he, that fellows devoted
to me and my babies, and I'm very fond
of him. That's what he said, and he
looked at him-well, I'd like to have him
look at me that way!n
She waited there in the rain and fog,
shrinking behind a clump of shrubbery,
and watched the boys as they turned
the corner and entered the street which
ran by the ''back yard full of arees.''
Her heart was beating hard, but her eyes
were watchful. As the group neared the
back gate they paused, and all but one
crouched down behind the hedge.
That's Jack Davis" thought Selma.
Hes goin' TO throw some meat over
to'ard the kennel; then they'll all run.
What'll do! That girl won't listen to
me. III have to get the meat
Selma's resolution was taken. She
stole across the lawn on the inside OF the
hedge, conscious that her mortal enemies
were few feet from her. Jack was just
a little in advance. He raised his arm
and sent something flying toward the
kennel; then the entire group Of conspir-
ators took to their heels and scampered
away toward the Oats. One instant Sell