The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-03-16


talk to you, Penny"
81 started to shoot, and am going
to shoot" said Penny. Then her race
cleared. Il tell you-you take HaJan
back. He will always go with you.
Dudley stood, with hands in his coat
pockets, and bent head, chilled, hurt'
discouraged.
Il suppose seem to you as tiresome
and persistent as Rajah," he said. after
a pause. Perhaps he believes you
really do want him, in spite OF yoW
actions. know / have been trying 10
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 Ra]an,
she finally decided; but If you stay,
he will. Do take him down, like good
soul"
Dudley turned and strobe away, pre-
senting a stiffened back. Rajah, read
! ing purpose in his gait, rose and foi-
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.
Then, after packing his belongings 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
/ A. a;~oox;np ~ tho T1actrrQ EIf-
teen minutes later Penny came across
the lawn, a pale Penny, walking WIFE
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knees had been abruptly withdrawn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 a 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,
I have saved fathers life-though he
doesn't especially appreciate II"
What happened?" Dudley asked.
anxiously.
1.-THE bull, of course. Father would
cross the pasture, just to show on, and
one of the dogs had to rush in and
make the bull furious. So, naturally.
he charged at father-who dropped his
theories and sprinted." A shudder
seized her.
"You poor grill"
ct 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 I 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.
mo; IL wung father!"
. "Wnat?"
: She burst into tears.
"Just across his knee-it reall,
: wasn't anything. And it did save hi
:, life. For it scared him so much worse
8 than the b-bull, he jumped way to ont
side, and the beast charged right pas
over the very spot! And 80 he hai
time to d-double round tree and &c
over the fence. did save his life
But he wasn't grateful. It's the end o
shooting for mel"
"You poor child! But where is he?
4. he asked.
"The cart came by and he got In t
go down to the doctor. Dudley. TO
: once / have made my father too al
gry," she said. solemnly. Tm-Pr
: frightened to DEATH
."You only grazed him?" HIS arr
:, YVES about her unrebuked.
4. "Oh, yes-but he's all the madde
!, II only something awful enough to d
4 vert him would happen before he get
!. back"
Cant we find something's"
- A smile began to struggle throug
Of her dismay.
ID Il know one thing that might"
What. Penny"
!. you say it."
~ "But / am not clever enough; can
think"
~, "Well-don't you think the--tf
~ prospect of-losing his only daught'
=" she stopped abruptly.
Penny"
- mot that I'd ever really leave him
ch she amended when she was allowed
~ emerge. who takes me takes him."
IA Yes, dear girl"
ia And then, you see, having frigi
,n ened him to meekness, we can comic
no him with that" She no longer pull
10 away from him.
No She would not look at him, and
no her voice there was nothing deep
. - than amusement.
,is Penny. are you taking me only
.sl cause you are afraid to face your ia,
he err" he asked gravely.