Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-06-27
CHAPTNR XyI-lContinued.)


Helen walked far, and returning,
chose an unfamiliar course through
the outskirts of the town to avoid
meeting any of the women she knew,
because Of that vivid memory OF the
night before. AS she walked swiftly
along she thought that she heard faint
cries far behind her. Looking up, she
noted that 1t was a lonely, barren quar-
ter and that the only figure in sight
was a woman some distance away. A
few PAGES farther on the shouts re.
curred-more plainly this time, and
gunshot, sounded CHANGING back, she
saw several men running, one bearing
a smoking revolver. and heard, nearer
still, the snarling hubbub Of fighting
dogs. In flash the girls curiosity be-
came horror, for, as she watched, one
Of the dogs made sudden dash
through the now subdued group of AMI
mails and ran swiftly along the plank
ing on which she stood. 1t was hand
some specimen Of the Eskimo mala-
moot-tall, gray and coated like n
wolf, with the speed, strength and
cunning of It's cousin. It's head hung
low and swung from side to side as 1t
trotted, the motion flecking foam and
SLAYER. The creature had scattered
the pack, and now, swift. menacing,
relentless, was coming towards Helen.
There was no shelter near, no fence,
no house, save the distant one towards
which the other woman was making
her way. The men, too far away to
protect her. shouted hoarse warnings.
Helen did not scream nor hesitate
she turned and ran, terror-stricken to-
wards the distant cottage. She was
blind with fright and felt an utter GER
tainty that the dog would attack her
before she could reach safety. Yes
there was the quick patter Of his pads
close up behind her; her knees weak
ened; the sheltering door was yet
some yards away. But horse, tether.
ed near the walk, reared and snorted
as the flying pair drew near
The mad creature swerved, leaped at
the horses legs, and snapped in fury
Badly frightened at this attack. the
horse lunged at his halter, broke it
and galloped away; but the delay had
served for Helen, weak and faint, to
reach the door, She wrenched at the
knob. 1t was locked AS she turned
-hopelessly away, she saw the Other
woman was directly behind her. anC
was, in her turn, awaiting the mad an
imal's onslaught, but calmly, tin,
revolver in her hand
Shoot" screamed Helen. "Why
don't you shoot?" The little gun
spoke, and the dog spun around, snar
ling and yelping. The woman fred
several times more before it lay still
and then remarked, calmly, as she
broke" the weapon and elected the
shells:
1.-THE calibre is too small to be good
for much"
Helen sank down upon the steps.
How well you shoot!" she gasped
Her eyes were on the gray bundle
whose death agonies had thrust 1t al
most to her feet The men had run vi
and were talking excitedly, but aftel
word with them the woman turned
to Helen.
You must come in for moment ant
recover yourself" she said, and led hel
inside.
1t was a cosey room in which uhs
girl found herself-more than that
luxurious There was a piano witt
scattered music, and many Of the pref
ty, feminine things that Helen had no
seen since leavin~ home The hostes
had stepped behind some curtains TO
an instant and was talking to her from
the next room
THAT is the third mad dog hav'
seen this month. Hydrophobia is be
coming habit in this neighborhood
She returned, bearing tiny silveI
tray with decanter and glasses.
You're all unstrung, but this brand.
will help you-if you don't object to