Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-12
CHAPTER I.

when Brier Dale was narrow
 clearing, and the horizon we'll up
 in the sky and to anywhere a days journey. Down by the shore of the pond there Theron Allen built his house. Today, under thickets of tansy, one may see the rotting logs, and there are hollyhocks and catnip in the old garden. He was from Middlebury, they say, and came west-he and his wife-in 1929. From the top of the hill above Aliens of a clear day one could look far across the treetops over dis tant settlements that were as blue patches in the green canopy of the for est, over hill and dale to the smoky chasm of the St. Lawrence, thirty miles north. The Aliens had not a child. They settled with no thought of school or neighbor. They brought COW with them and big collie whose back had been scared by lynx. He was good company and brave hunter, this dog, and one day-it was February, four years after their coming, and the snow lay deep-he left the dale and not even a track behind him. Far and wide they went searching. but saw no sign of him. Near a month later, one night past F o'clock, they heard his bark in the distance. Allen rose and lit can dle and opened the door. They could hear him palmer, and now, mingled with his barking, faint tinkle of bells.
 It had begun to thaw. and a cold rain was drumming on roof and win dow.
 He's crossing the spond,ccs said Allen as he listened. Hes dragging some heavy thing over the ice.'
 Soon he leaped in at the door, the lit tie red sleigh bouncing after him. The dog was in shafts and harness. Over the sleigh was tiny cover of sail cloth shaped like that of prairie schooner. Bouncing over the doorstep had walked its traveller, and there was a loud voice of complaint in the little cavern of sailcloth. Peering in, they saw only the long fur of a gray wolf, Beneath it very small boy lay strug- rling with straps that held him down. Allen loosed them and took him out of the sleigh, ragged but handsome youngster with red cheeks and blue eyes and light, curly hair. He was near four years of age then. but big and strong as any boy of five. He rtood rubbing his eyes a minute, and the dog came over and licked his face showing fondness acquired they knew not where. Mrs. Allen took the boy in her lap and petted him, but he was afraid-like a wild fawn that has just been captured-and broke away and took refuge under the bed. A long time she sat by her beaside with the candle, showing him trinkets and try ing to coax him out. He ceased to cry when she held before him a big. shiny locket of silver, and soon his little hand $ came out to grasp 1t. Presently she began to reach his confidence with sug' ar. There was a moment of silence, then strange words came out of hia hiding place. "Anah Jouhan" was all UNEY GDUAu uhho VI thCA4s d<AA h<<@S AN msmbered always that odd combina' fion of sounds. They gave him food, which he ate with eager haste. then a moment of silence and an imperative call for more in some strange tongue, When at last he came out of his hiding place he fed from the woman. This time he sought refuge between the knees of Allen. where soon his fear rave way to curiosity, and he began to feel hG face and gown. By and by he fell asleep.
 They searched the sleigh and shook put the robe and blanket. finding only . pair of warn bricks.
 A Frenchman worked for the Aliens that winter. and the name. Trove. was of his invention.
 And % came Sidney Trove, his mind in strange letters. travelling out of the land of mystery in a winter night to Brier Dsls.