The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-09-26

she was screened Ivy the corner ot the
cabin from the eyes that were Mazing
in the open window; crouchlug low, and
koeping close against the cabin wall, she
crept around 70 the front until she was
almost directly under the open window.
Then
Before Rob had harily time to realize
the deadly peril that she was In. he saw
the slcam of those terrible eyes shut ON;
hc heard the heavy plank shutter slammed
10: he heard the clang OF the outside holt
that held it securely shut: he heard the
imprisoned animals cry Of ragc, and the
girls answering cry ~ triumph,
Catherine had captured the panther \
girl had trapped the beast that he had
railoi to shoot,
You crazy Sirl, What did you DO that
fore" Rob had reached her side and was
shaking her f'erccly before the pan,hcr's
scream had stopped cchoing through the
woods.
What fore" she repeated, laughm.
and crying Historically, why, some
body had to do IT, There was mother
you know, and father and the rvst OF
themw
So that was it, To keep the tcrribl,
creature away from the others, this timid
girl had boldly taken her own life in he,
hands, And Rob confessed to himself
with secret shame that he had not once
thought Of father or mother, or anybody
hut himself. What WAS that Dave Brant
had said about the girls and the women
There was little time to think OF that.
however. GATHERINGS explanation was
hardly uttered before another commotion
arose inside the cabin. This was not the
shrieking OF the panther, but the outcry
OF a man. And the man was Dave Rrant:
and he was wholly alive.
"HI. there! let me out! Open this win
der, ANS safe Let me ou,"'
In moment he came out and stood
beside his astonIshed young friends.
Have yeu killed the panther" Cath
crime asked trembling with the agl,atcn
OF 1, all
There wasn't no painter" Dave con-
feSsed. laughing uproariously; mot even
a piece OF one. NothIn' but two live Goals
out o. tho cook fire, and the painter
screech that ev'ry hunter knows how to
make. Jest a little joke o. mine. TO Try
yer nerve, Might ha known l couldn't
fool a boy with IL"
You did fool us both. and Kitty's the
only one you didn't scare" Rob blurted
out, with such an effort as only an honest
boy can understand. 1T was Kitty that
trapped you. l tried to shoot you
though and Ia have done It. too only the
gun was out OF order. Then your Joke
wouldn't have been so funny"
Well no; only ye see l was down BE-
hind the logs. and ye can't well shoot
through them. Is this the gun ye usede"
They were hack by the campfire again.
and Dave picked up the useless rifle He
grinned as he examined 1t.
This kind o. gun always shoots best
when its loaded" he said quietly.
That was all he said. but 1t was quite
enough. Rob snatched the rife from him
and made a quick inspection OF IT, Then
he looked at Dave and at Catherine. AMI
in that look he made honest and com.
plete surrender. The boy that had tried
TO shoot 4 panther with an unlo,dsd
rifle. and that had stayed by the fire
while his sister went forward and sprung
the trap. had learned a lesson in modes
ty that would las, him.
There comes the folks" said Dave.
Now look here; don't say nathing 10
hem about my painter joke. I'm down.
right ashamed O. that.
We won't tell them one word" said
heartily.
And Rob understood them both.