Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1907-02-14

/ cess. l will go, and not bother you
again, II you tell me to-"
Penny appeared to be considering.
I'D rather have you than Rajah,"
she finally decided; but If you stay,
he will Do take him down, like good
soul"
Dudley turned and strobe away, pre-.
sonting stiffened back. Rajah. read
ing purpose in his gait, rose and fol
lswed 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
ca the steps in the late afternoon sun.
light and waited.
Presently shot sounded family
from the direction of the pasture. Fiji
teen minutes later Penny came across
ahe lawn, pale Penny, walking with
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knees had been abruptly withdrawn.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 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,
/ have saved fathers life-though he
doesn't especially appreciate It."
What happened?" Dudley asked,
anxiously.
THE bull, of course Father would
cross the pasture, just to show off, 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"
ut 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 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 really
wasn't anything. And 1t did save his
life. For 1t scared him SO much worse
than the b-bull, he jumped way to one
side, and the beast charged right past
over the very spot! And so he had
time to d-double round tree and get
over the fence. / did save his life,
But he wasn't grateful. It's the end Of
shooting for mel"
"You poor child! But where Is he?"
he asked.
1.-THE cart came by and he got in to
go down to the DOCTOR Dudley, for
once have made my father too an
gry," she said, solemnly. "rm--Pm
frightened to DEATH
you only grazed him?" His arm
was about her unrebuked.
ooh, yes-but he's all the madden.
If only something awful enough to d.
vert him would happen before he gets
back!"
Cant we find something's"
A smile began to struggle through
her dismay.
Il know one thing that might"
What, Penny?"
"You say It,"
"But am not clever enough; can't
think"
"Well-don't you think the-the
prospect of-losing his only daughter
-" she stopped abruptly.
Penny"
mot that I'd ever really leave him."
she amended when she was allowed to
emerge who takes me takes him"
Yes. dear girl"
And then, you see, having fright
ened him to meekness, we can comfort
him with that" She no longer pulled
away from him.
She would not look at him, and in
uGI NOlSC IhClC wac uOllluS CcGDeT
than amusement.
Penny, are you taking me only be-
cause you are afraid to face your faith.
err" he asked gravely.
'Um him." she assented. He drew
her closer.
Penny, are your"
"Yep."
Penny, are your"
His eyes were insistent. She tried
to meet them with defiance, but sud-
denly a tide of red swept over the lit.
tie, pointed face, quick, singing.
glorious color that left her no defenses
the first real blush of her life. She
broke away from him, covering her
face with her hands.
go away! l hate you!" she cried
But Dudley laughed from the very
depths of contented heart; he was
tappy.