The Washington herald., 1907-07-13

Temple slipped on his coat and threw
It beside the camera case with a Watch
it. TO the white bulldog that sat gravely
at the foot Of the tree.
Bigger exhibited HIS teeth in a smile
intended to be pleasant and stretched
himself out side the case on the soft
mat of pine needles. The walk to the
falls had not tired him. but he was
well content TO lie on the fragrant car
pet and doze and dream of cats on fences
that were always low enough to bring
the feline prey within his reach and OF a
succession of canine battles in which he
was always the victor. AT heart Bigger
was a child of peace. II was only in
his dreams that his visions were tinged
with blood.
Here and there through the woods a
locust shrilled and the air was vibrant
with the song OF birds and the soft hum
Of insect life. Dick Temple had picked
out a clump Of pines in which 70 make his
camp, and through the leafy aisles Big
ger could command a view Of the deeper
woods beyond, and the little river THAI
wound its way through the forest mark
ing with a tint of more livid green, the
underground along its banks.
Down the wind came the faint roar Of
/ falling waters where the stream plunged
/ forty feet over the black stones. 20 dance
in very joy al the foot Of the falls be
/ fore taking up its course 10 the river be-
yond
Temple had long ago exhausted the
| Photographic possibilities OF the falls and
departed in the direction OF downstream.
but the footballs that aroused Bigger
from q dream OF conquest came from the
other way, and Bigger looked Up just as
/ the sunlight glinted upon the golden hair
and the scarlet coat Of slender girl
who, under other circumstances. would
/ have excited Bigger's entire approval
From the crown of the golden head TO
/ the tip Of the dainty russell shoe, she was
/ patrican; one Of Bigger's very own
sort. II there were bench shows for hui
mans. surely she must be possessed OF
as many blue ribbons as there were IN
his own particular cabinet at home.
This being the case IL seemed strange
to Bigger that she should share in COM
mon with the tTampish characters a de-
sire for his masters property, and he
emitted low growl Of polite warning.
/ The girl came steadily forward until
! she was almost within reach of those
powerful jaws. then she paused.
you are a very bad dog she scolded,
4 gently 1t is very dear OF YOU TO keep
guard over those things. but. don't you
/ know. they are not yours to guard.
/ Bigger made vigorous dissent TO his
sentiment, but the girl went on:
] You see she explained, "Reggy
wants those extra plates before the light
gets away. l am afraid you are not go
ing to let me have them"
She moved easily toward the case
talking in the same steady voice, and her
had was already upon the holders, when
IBigger's teeth set firmly in her skirt.
Had it been a tramp Bigger would have
sprung at his throat, but he knew that
there was some mistake and ne sought
only TO hold the girl until his master
should have come up 10 accept her ex-
plantations. The girl regarded him hope
lessly.
You're a bad. wicked dog" she scold-
ed Ito make so much trouble. When Reg
comes I shall have him whip you, and he
viii come. He is too anxious to wait long
for me. Please let me g"
She made a movement to disengage
herself, but Bigger growled again. and this
tirue there was q deeper note that warned
her that resistance would be met with
greater force. She sank helplessly spon
the springy.. odcrous carpet of nature, and
settled herself more comfortably.
Il shall have to wait for Reggie" she
said, and he'll be really angry at you if
YOU spoil his chance Of getting that view.
Hes going back TO town tomorrow, and
he will not have another opportunity"
Bigger preserved a discreet silence He
was too gallant 70 argue a point with a
woman As long as she remained quiet he
had nothing TO say. For half an hour she
sat there in silence broken only by the
chatter OF the squirrels and the hum of
the summer noises. then there was "a
crashing sound in the underbrush and
Bigger pricked up his ears while the girl
reused herself to listen.
Here am, Reggie" she called, under
the pines by your camera. There's a hor-
rid dog here and he won't let me go"
4 loud. clear whistle sounded, but Big
ger only groWled a protest against obedi-
enCe and chung TO his capture. A moment
later Temple burst through the alders
that fringed the stream. The girls face
turned crimson.
IF this is your dog" she said with
dignity, will you kindly call him Off.
He has kept me prisoner here for
almost an hour and my brother is waiting
for these plates.
Possibly the dog appreciates the fact
that I should need them myself" he said
with a laugh and a sign 10 Bigger, who
released his prisoner and stalked with
dignity across to Temple. You see" he
went on, they happen to be my plates. "
He knelt on the ground to shift the
used holders to compartment Of the
case and change the new ones to a sling
4 carrier across his shoulders. The girl
stared at him in establishment. and he.
guessing her thoughts, looked up.
Permit me to introduce myself" he
said. holding up the case. She read the
name Richard Temple on the silver plate
and blushed in confusion.
My brother. Mr. Storms. has the same
sort Of a case" she explained. He sent
me for more plates and I though that
these were his and that the dog had
strayed"
storms" he said. musingly. you
must be Miss Mildred Storms, who is
stopping over at the Beecham farm"
The girl nodded and Temple smiled.
7 think I can solve the mystery he
said. you took the wrong road from
the falls Had you turned to the LETT
instead Of the right you would have come
70 a very similar clump Of pines, where.
no doubt, your brothers case lies. You
can't blame Bigger. can vou2''
lie is dear old faithful she de-
elared with forgiveness. And per