Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-16

painted deatn gray, twins or the same mold. stood on opposite sides of the front walk. their backs toward 1t and each other, their bodies In pro file to the street, their necks bent. how ever. so that they gazed upon the pass erby. yet gazed without emotion. Two large calm dogs guarded the top of the steps leading to the front door. They also were twins and of the same in- teresting metal, though honored be- yond the deer by coats of black paint and shellac. It was to be remarked that these dogs were of no distinguish able species or breed. yet they were unmistakably dogs. The dullest must have recognized them as such at a glance, which was perhaps enough. It was hideous house. important look ing. cold. yet harshly aggressive, and 1t sat in the middle of its flat acre of snowy lawn like rich. fat man en- ragged and sitting straight up In bed to swear.
 And yet there was one charming thing about this ugly house. Some worknen were lnclcsing a large side porch with heavy canvass evidently for festal purposes. Looking out from be- ! tween two strips of the canvas was the rosy and delicate face of pretty girl; smiling upon Eugene Bantry as he passed. It was an obviously pret- ty face. all the youth and prettiness fhara f.,. x.o,,r xorv 6rct evlonro olah- orately pretty, like the splendid pro fusion of hair about and above 1t. am Der colored hair. upon which so much time had been spent that circle of large, round curls rose above the mass of it like golden bubbles tipping a cOronet
 The girls fingers were pressed thoughtfully against her chin as Flu gene strode into view. Immediately her eyes widened and frightened. He swung along the fence with the hand somest appearance of unconsciousness until he reached point nearly oppo- site her. Then he turned his head as if haphazardly and met her eyes. At once she threw out her hand toward him. waving him greeting. gesture which as her fingers had been near her lips was little like throwing a kiss. He crooked an elbow and with one. two. three military movement removed his small brimmed hat. ex- tending it to full arms length at the shoulder level. returned 1t to his head with life guard precision. This was also new to Canaan. He was letting Mamie Pike have 1t all at once The impression was as large as he could have desired. She remained at the opening in the canvas and watch ed him until inc wagged his shoulders round the next corner and disappeared into cross street. As for Eugene, he was calm with great calm and very red.
 He had not covered great distance, however, before his gravity was re- placed by his former smiling look of the landed gentleman amused by the innocent pastimes of the peasants, though there was no one In sight ex- cept a woman sweeping some snow from the front steps of a cottage. and she, not perceiving him. retired in- doors without knowing her loss. He had come to a thinly built part of the town, the perfect quiet of which made the sound he heard as he opened the picket gate of his own home all the more startling. It was Q scream, loud, frantic and terror stricken.
 Eugene stopped, with the gate half open.
 Out of the winter skeleton of a grape arbor at one side of the four square brick house brown faced girl of sev- enteen preclpitated herself through the air in the midst of shower of torn cardboard which she threw before her as she leaped. She lit upon her toes and headed for the gate at top speed. pursued by a pale young man whose thin arms strove spasmodically to reach her. Scattering snow behind them, hair flying the pair sped on like two tattered branches before high wind, for. as they came nearer Eugene. of whom, in the tensity of their flight. they took no note, 1t was to be seen that both were so shabbily dressed as to be almost ragged.
 The girl ran beautifully, but fieeter foot was behind her and. though she dodged and evaded like a creature of the woods, the reaching hand fell upon the loose sleeve of her red blouse. nor fell lightly. She gave a wrench of fren- zy. The antique fabric refused the strain, parted at the shoulder seam so thoroughly that the whole sleeve came away, but not to its owners release. for she had been brought round by the jerk, so that, agile as she had shown herself, the pursuer threw an arm about her neck before she could twist away and held her.
 | There was q sharp struggle as short as it was fierce. Neither of these extra ordinary wrestlers spoke. They fought. Victory hung In the balance for per haps four seconds. Then the girl was thrown heavily upon her back in such a turmoil of snow that she seemed to be the mere nucleus of a white comet. She struggled to get up. plying knee ! and elbow with very anguish of de. termination, but her opponent held her. pinioned both her wrists with one hand and with the other rubbed great hand fuls of snow into her face. sparing nei- ther mouth nor eyes.
 You willr' be cried. You will tear up my pictures. A dirty trick, and you get washed for it.'