Gloucester County Democrat., 1907-10-10

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4 Mcnamara had ridden In from the
= creek aud stopped for breakfast
with the Judge. He had asked for her.
but on hearing the tale OF the nights
adventure would not allow her to be
disturbed Later he and the Judge
had gone away together
Although her judgment approved the
step she had contemplated the night
before, still the girl now felt strange
reluctance to meet Mcnamara. 1t Is
true that she knew no Ill of him except
that implied in the accusations Of GER
aware that every strong and aggressive
character makes enemies in direct pro
portion to the qualities which lend
him greatness. Nevertheless she was
aware Of an inner conflict that she had
not foreseen. This man who so con
fidently believed that she would marry
bin did not dominate her conscious
ness.
She had ridden much of late. taking
long solitary gallops beside the SHIN
mering sea that she loved 50 we'll or
up the winding valleys into the foot
hills where echoed the roar of swift
waters or glinted the fash Of shovel
blades. This morning her horse was
lame, so she determined TO walk 10
her early rambles she had looked TIM
idly askance at the rough men she met
till she discovered their genuine re-
spect and courtesy. The most un-
kempt among them were often college
bred, although for that matter the
toughest Of the miners showed abun-
dant consideration for woman. So
she was glad to allow the men to talk
to her with the fine freedom inspired
| by the new country and its wide
spaces. The wilderness breeds chiv-
airy an its own.
Thus there seemed to be no danger
abroad, though they had told the girl
lof mad dogs which roamed the city,
explaining that the hot weather affects
powerfully the thick coated, shaggy
maiamoots This is the land of the
to tabor and shiver and starve, in sum-
mer be loafs, fights. grows fat and
runs mad with the heat.
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 q lonely. barren
quarter and that the only figure in
away. a few PAGES farther on the
shouts recurred. more plainly this
time, and a gun shot sounded. Glane-
/ ing back, she saw several men run.
ming, one bearing smoking revolver,
land heard nearer still the snarlirg
hubbub Of fighting dogs. In fash
the girls curiosity became horror, for
as she watched one of the dogs made
la sudden dash through the now sub
| dued group of animals and ran swiftly
| along the planking on which she stood.
/ 1t was handsome specimen of the
Eskimo malamoot-tal gray and coat
ed like wolf. with the speed, strength
land cunning Of Its cousin. Its head
hung low and swung from side to side
las 1t trotted. the motion fecking foam
and SLAYER. The creature had scattered
the pack and now. swift, menacing,
relentless, was coming toward Helen.
There was no shelter near. no fence,
no house, save the distant one toward
which the other woman was making
her way The men, too far away to
protect her. shouted hoarse warnings.
| Helen did not scream or hesitate
she turned and ran, terror stricken, to-
ward the distant cottage. She was
blind with fright and felt an utter cer-
talnty that the dog would attach 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
freature swerved, leaped at the horses
LEGS and snapped In fury. Badly fright
ened at this attack, the horse lunged at
ibis 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 that the other woman was direct
lily behind her and was, in her turn,
lawaiting the mad animals onslaught,
but calmly. tiny revolver in her
hand.
s.Shoot!1 screamed Helen. @Why
don't you shoot?'' The little gun
spoke. the dog spun around. snarling
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:
ssThe calber is too small to be good
| for much
Helen sank down upon the steps.
| How well YOU shootr' she gasped.