The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1907-04-25

,,,cH1 1905 BY HARPER & BROTHERS
Author of Cherry" Monsieur Beaucare. Etc.

mold. stood on opposite sides or the
front walk. their backs toward it
and each other, their bodies in pro-
file to the street, their necks bent, how
ever so that they gazed upon the pass
erby, yet gazed without emotion. Two
large calm dogs guarded the top Of the
steps leading to the front door. They
also were twins and of the same in
teresting metal, though honored be-
yond the deer by coats Of black paint
and shellac. It was to be remarked
that these dogs were Of no distinguish
able species or breed, yet they were
Enthusiastically dogs. The dullest must
have recognized them as such at a
glance, which was perhaps enough. It
was a hideOus house. important look
ing. cold. yet harshly aggressive, and
1t sat in the middle of its fiat acre Of
snowy lawn like rich, fat man en-
ragged and sitting straight up in bed
to swear.
And yet there was one charming
thing about this ugly house. Some
workmen were inclosing large side
porch with heavy canvas. evidently for
festal purposes. Looking out from be-
tween two strips Of the canvas was
the rosy and delicate face Of a pretty
girl, smiling upon Eugene Bantry as
he passed 1t was an obviously pref
ty face, all the youth and prettiness
there for your very first glance, elab-
orately pretty, like the splendid pro-
Df lo; 81, nd oh
Der colored hair, Upon which so much
time had been spent that circle Of
large, round curls rose above the mass
of it like golden bubbles tipping a
coronet
The girls fingers were pressed
thoughtfully against her chin as Eu-
gene strobe into view. Immediately
her eyes widened and frightened He
swung along the fence with the hand
soonest appearance of Inconsistencies
until he reached a point nearly oppo-
site her. Then he turned his head as
if haphaZardly and met her eyes. At
once she threw out her hand toward
him, waving him a greeting, gesture
which as her fingers had been near
her lips was a little like throwing a
kiss He crooked an elbow and with
a one. two. three military movement
removed his small brimmed hat, ex
tending It to full arms length at the
shoulder level, returned it to his head
with life guard precision. This was
also new to Canaan. He was letting
Mamie Pike have it all at once.
The impression was as large as he
could have desired. She remained at
the opening in the canvas and watch
ed him until he wagged his shoulders
round the next corner and disappeared
into a cross street. AS for Eugene, he
was calm with a great calm and very
red.
He had not covered great distance,
however, before his gravity was re-
placed by his former smiling look Of
the landed gentleman amused by the
innocent pastimes Of the peasants,
though there was no one in sight ex-
cept woman sweeping some snow
from the front steps Of cottage, and
she, not perceiving him, retired in
doors without knowing her loss. He
had come to thinly built part of the
town, the perfect quiet Of which made
the sound he heard as he opened the
picket gate of his own home all the
more startling. 1t was scream, loud.
frantic and terror stricken.
Eugene stopped. with the gate half
open.
Out of the winter skeleton Of a grape
arbor at one side of the four square
brick house brown faced girl of sew
enteen precipitated herself through the
air in the midst of shower Of torn
cardboard which she threw before her
as she leaped. She lit upon her toes
and headed for the gate at top speed,
pursued by a pale young man whose
thin arms strove spasmodically to
reach her. Scattering snow behind
them, hair flying, the pair sped on like
two tattered branches before a high
wind, for, as they came nearer Eugene.
Of whom, in the tensity Of their fight,
they took no note, it was to be seen
that both were so stability dressed as
to be almost ragged.
The girl ran beautifully, but feeter
foot was behind her and, though she
lodged and evaded like creature Of
the woods, the reaching hand fell upon
the loose sleeve Of her red blouse, nor
fell lightly. She gave wrench Of fren-
". The antique fabric refused the
strain, parted at the shoulder seam so
thoroughly that the whole sleeve came
away, but not to its owners release,
for she had been brought round by the
jerk, SO that agile as she had shown
herself, the pursuer threw an arm
about her neck before she could twist
away and held her.
There was a sharp struggle as short
as it was fierce. Neither Of these extra
ordinary wrestlers spoke. They fought
Victory hung in the balance for per-
haps four seconds. Then the girl was
thrown heavily upon her back. in such
turmoil Of snow that she seemed to
be the mere nucleus of a white comet.
She struggled to get up, plying knee
and elbow with very anguish Of de-
termination, but her opponent held her,
pinioned both her wrists with one hand
and with the other rubbed great hand
fuls Of snow into her face, sparing nei-
Their mouth nor eyes.
You willr' he cried. 'sYou will tear
up my pictures! A dirty trick, and you
get washed for ftp