Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1907-02-19

ne just looks like a Christian martyr,
and won't bulge. Ccat!" She threw a
handful of twigs at the ancient setter
who drooled apology, but did NOT stir
Don't shoot to-day, walk with me
instead" Dudley urged. Il want to
talk to you, Penny"
Il started to shoot, and ! am going
to shoot said Penny Then her face
cleared. "I tell you-you take Raiah
back He will always go With YOU.
Dudley stood, with hands in his coat
pockets, and bent head, chilled hurt.
discouraged.
4 suppose / seem to you as tiresone
and persistent as Raiah he said, after
pause. "Perhars he believes you
really do want him. in spite of your
actions. I know / have been trying to
think that. though without much sue
cess. /. will go, and not bother you
again, if you tell me to"
Penny appeared to be considering.
I'D rather have you than Rajah,'
she finally decided; but If you stay,
he will Do take him down, like a good
soul"
Dudley turned and strobe away pre-
senting a stiffened back. Rajah. read
ing purpose in his gait, rose and fol-
lowed of his own accord, and Penny
was left free to go on with her sport;
but the woods sent forth no echoes.
Dudley stayed away three days
,r, afto. ,,ooIyi,er l,io boIor syi oc and
making the farewell arrangements his
dignity demanded, he rode over to say
good-by. No one was about, so he sat
on the steps in the late afternoon sun
light and waited.
Presently a shot sounded family
from the direction of the pasture Fif-
teen minutes later Penny came across
the lawn, a pale Penny, walking with
shaky bravado, her gun still at the
sporting angle, but the arm that held
it there visibly unsteady.
She smiled brightly at Dudley, then
sat down on the steps as though her
knees had been abruptly withdrawn.
Had small adventure" she said,
with laugh that was half gasp. I've
proved my point about the bull, any
way; he's a dangerous beast. Also,
have saved fathers life-though he
doesn't especially appreciate it,"
She looked down thoughtfully at the
gun across her knees, and, seeing how
her hands were betraying her, thrust
them behind her back.
What happened?" Dudley asked,
anxiously
Penny looked for all the world like
she'd lost her last friend
The bull, of course Father would
cross the pasture, just to show off, and
one OF the dogs had to rush in and
make the bull furious. So natWally,
he charged at father--who dropped his
theories and sprinted." A shudder
seized her.
You poor girl"
1T was more like poor father" Her
spirit was still persistently game,
though tottering. 1T looked like the
proper moment for me to save his life
Il had always warned him l should
didn't want to kill the creature, just
to lame him, so aimed low. oh, there
wasn't moment for anything, Dudley
truly You know shoot pretty well
now, when I'm cool!"
But did you wing the bull?' Dudley
asked excitedly. Her lip quivered.
NO; II wung father!"
'What?"
She burst into tears.
Just across his knee--it really
wasn't anything. And it did save his
life. For it scared him so much worse
than the b-bull, he jumped way to one
side, and the least charged right past
over the very spot! And so he had
time to d-double round a tree and got
over the fence. did save his life.
But he wasn't grateful. It's the end of
shooting for mel"
You poor child But where is he?'
he asked
The cart came by and he got in to
90 down to the doctor. Dudley for
once I have made my father too an
cry" she said, soemnly. "Pm-I'm
frightened to death!
You only grazed him?" His arm
was about her unrebuked
"Oh, yes-but he's all the madder
If only something awful enough to di
vert him would happen before he gets
back"
Cant we find something's"
A smile began to struggle through
her dismay
81 know one thing that might"
WHAT Penny?"
You say IT,"
But am not clever enough; cant
think"
"Well-dont you think the-ithe
prospect of-losing his only daughte,
- she stopped abruptly
Penny
Not that I'd ever really leave him"
she amended when she was allowed to
emerge. who takes me takes him"
Yes, dear girl"
And then, you see, having fright
ened him to meekness, we can comfor;