The age-herald., 1897-09-19

is; T know now; it is to keep the wild
 beasts from breaking in.''
 "Now, se= here. Kitty. Don't go to
 having spasms over what Dave Brant said. If any wild beasts should happen
 to come around, you do just as I said. 1 try to keep your senses, and not have
 mysteries the way girls always do. Of
 course you can't do anything: nobody
 expects that; but do try not to lose your
 wits; if you did, you'd only be in the
 way of ths rest of us. I've been think ing since Dave left, and I know just
 what I'd.
 He stopped there. His sister caught
 him by the arm again, and they both held their breath, while they felt an icy
 sensation creeping along thsir spfnes. terrible cry, such as neither of them had ever heard before, tore through the silent darkness of the woods Be6ors it had fairly died away, it came agian
 At first it was like the scream of an
 angcy cat, cnly many times louder 1 then it quavered through the air like the high-pitched vail of woman in
 mortal terror or distress; sunk into a vicious snarl, and rose again to a pierc- ing screech.
 | whispered. T heard one in the zoo and I know. don't wonder you are scared, Kitty; was frightened myself, just at first"
 His voice shook as if hs were a little frightened even yet. Catherine had let go of his arm and was standing erect, apparently forgetful that she was to run into the house and shut the door" 10 asked 'The sound seemed to come from over there," pointing in the direc- tion that Dave had taken. "Oh. Rob! l Wouldn't it be dreadful-You know we l haven't seen or heard anything of Dave since he started. I should think he would have run back here when he heard that awful scream. Rob" Her voice was a whisper again now. Look there"
 He looked where she pointed. There, 1 in i.he open window of the cook-calbin, were two great fiery eyes looking at tn m. As if enraged at being discovered, 1. the creature uttered another terrible i cry.
 Catherine turned and fled like hunted deer to the cabin ttat they lived in. Tine campfire was between it and the cook cabin, and it was very good place to go under the circumsc ances. Bob did not exactly run, but he followed some how in the same dlrect.on. Before he got to the cabin, he met Catherine running at full speed towards him. She was car | rying a rife and cartridge belt. I "Here" she said, putting the rifle into h.s hands. Get on the right side of the i fire again, then take steady aim and l shoot him right between the eyes, the way you said"
 Good for you!" Bobs voice and hand | both shook a little as he took the rife. IT was just coming after this. You I go right back into the house; then, if l shouldn't kin him at the first sho.-you I know they're more dangerous when l they're wounded, and i.'s no place for | girl. Now, whatever you do. keep your | head. Don't get excited and go to sereeching. You'n only annoy me if you l do that
 For answer, Catherine took him by the arm and silenly led him back to their | former place on the other side of the I fire. The two great eyes were still glar- | ing from the open window. At sight of l the brother and sister against the back | ground of fire, the panther uttered an- l OtiiCi SSlCallif OuL Nnpo llOt llofC 1toih 1 its position.
 | Now" said Catherine. Steady aim, l you know"
 Bob lifted the weapon, aimed 1t Steada- | ly as he could, and pulled the trigger. | The rife might as well have been a fish | ing rod, for no repor, followed. | Don't you do something with that little hammer first?" Catherine asked in l nicently.
 1 Then Rob saw that he had forgotten to cock the gun before pulling the trigger.
 He threw the hammer back now with an angry jerk, brought the weapon again to his shoulder. and again failed to fire. The panther snarled at them, apparently | in malicious triumph.
 1 'fSomec hing's the matter with ft,' said Rob despairingly, throwing the rifle to l the ground. ''Ft won't go off. You get back into the house as quick as you can I told you before to do that. That fellow won't stay where he is all night, and I he'll make ahings lively when he cames this way! Why don't you go? I'll come | too, if you 1ike.''
 | Rob, If you can't kiln that creature, we must just shut him up where he isr' was Catherines answer to the proposi-
 ton.
 Shut him up! Shut up a panther! Maybe you ehindk that's a cow in there. You go into the house and shut your self up.'
 She turned from him. and instantly she I was like another shadow among the shadows of the woods He thought she
 had gone to the house, but in a moment her voice, low and clear, reached him from the opposite direction. 't5tay right there, Rob, where he can see you all the time, and keep him busy looking at you if you can. And don't | fire that gun unless you have to-
 What did she mean? What was she
 going to do? Where was she? He had | the answer to all three questions in a 1 Ia cah h iu