Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-17

strangling teeth at its throat For second or
two Sonny felt himself overwhelmed, engulfed,
in a vortex of rending claws. In tight ball
of hate and ferocity and horror the two rolled
over and over in the underbrush. Sonny,
doubled up hard to protect his belly, heard
shrill cry of fear from the Kid. At the sound
he summoned into his strained nerves and
muscles strength beyond the utmost which
he had yet been able to put forth. His jaws
worked upward, secured cleaner grip. ground
slowly closer; and at last his teeth crunched
together. great shudder shook the body of
the lynx. 1t Strengthened out, limp and harm
less.
For perhaps a minute Sonny maintained his
triumphant grip shaking the foe savagely.
Satisfied, at last, that he was meeting with no
the body with searching suspicion. Then he
turned to the Kid. The Kid, careless of the
blood and wounds kissed him fervently on the
nose, called him Poor Sonny! Dear, good
Sonny!" and burst into loud wailing
Knowing that the one thing now was to
Sonny started, looking back, and uttering a
little imperative bark. The Kid understood,
and followed promptly. By the time they
reached the fence, however, Sonny was so
weak from loss of blood he could hardly climb
through The Kid, with laundering but loving
efforts, helped him. Then he lay down.
At this moment the voices of Joe and Ann
were heard, shouting calling wildly, from the
yard. At the sound, Sonny struggled to his
feet and staggered on, the Kid keeping close
beside him. But he could manage only few
steps. Then he sank down again.
The man and woman came running up the
pasture, calling the Kid; but the latter would
not leave Sonny He trotted forward few
steps, and stopped, shaking his head and look
ing back. When Joe and Ann came near
and clothes were spotched with blood, fear
clutched at their hearts. my God! what's
happened to him?" gasped Ann, striving to
keep up with her husbands pace. But Joe
was too quick for her. Darling ahead, he seized
the little one, lifted him up, and searched his
child seemed well and vigorous.
What's it mean, Kid? Ye amt hurt
We amt hurt-tell me we amt hurt, Kid!
What's, all this blood all over yer" he de-
manded breathlessly.
BY this time Ann was at his side questioning
"'Taint me, Unc' Joel" protested the Kid
81 amt hurried. It's poor Sonny He's
hurted awful: He killed the great, big-great
big" the Kid was at loss how to explain,
the great, big dreadful cat what was goin' to
eat me up, Sonny did"
Joe Barnes looked at the dog, the torn sides,
streaming red wounds, and bloody muzzle
Woodsman that he was, he understood. Son
ny!" he cried in piercing voice. The dog
raised his head, wagged his stump of tail
leeOly' anu llldue d lutlle eiOTt 10 Use
Gulping down something in his throat, Joe
Barnes handed the child over to Ann, and
strobe to Sonny's side. Bending over him, he
tenderly gathered the big dog into his arms
holding him like baby. Sonny reached up
and licked his chin. Joe turned and fastened
back to the old gray house with his burden.
Come along, mother" he said, his voice a
little unsteady. You'll have to look out for
the Kid all by yerself for bit now l reckon
I'm goin' to hev' about all l kin do, a-nursin
Sonny"