The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-04-16

to shoot, said Penny. Then her face \
cleared. 4 tell you-you take Rajah |
back. He viii always go with you"
Dudley stood, with hands in his coat |
pockets, and bent head. chilled. hurt, !
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 your
actions. ! know / have been trying to
think that, though without much sue.
cess. l will go, and not bother you
again, if 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-
senting a stiffened back. Rajah, read
ing purpose in his gait, rose and fol
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
from the direction of the pasture. Eff
teen minutes later Penny came across
the lawn, a 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knees had been abruptly withdrawn.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 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,
l have saved fathers Ife-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"
1T 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
II had always warned him l should.
didn't want to kill the creature, just
to lame him, so l aimed low. Oh. there
wasn't moment for anything, Dudley.
! truly You know 1 shoot pretty well
now, when I'm COOL"
But did you wing the bull?'' Dudley
asked excitedly. Her lip quivered.
No: IL wung father"
"Wnat2r
She burst into tears
Just across his knee-it really
wasn't anything. And it did save his
life. For it scared him so much worse
than the b-bulI. he jumped way to one
side, and the beast charged right past
over the very spotl And so he had
time to d-double round a tree and get
over the fence. l did save his life,
But he wasn't grateful It's the end of
shooting for mel"
You poor child! But where is hep
he asked
The cart came by and he got in to
once l have made my father too an
cry" she said. solemnly. 'Tm-Fm
/ frightened to deathi'
You only grazed him." His arm
was about her unrebuked.
"Oh. yes-but he's all the madden
| If only something awful enough to di
vert him would happen before he gets
backl"
Cant we find something
A smile began to struggle through
her dismay
4 know one thing that might"
What, Penny"
You say it.
But am not clever enough; 1 cam
think"
"well-don't you think the-th,
prospect of-losing his only daughtel
- she stopped abruptly
Penny"
Not that I'd ever really leave him,
she amended when she was allowed t.
emerge. who takes me takes him
Yes. dear girl"
And then, you see, having fright
ened him to meekness. we can comfor
him with that" She no longer pulleS
away from him.
She would not look at him, and il
her voice there was nothing Geepei
than amusement.
Penny, are you taking me only be
cause you ar afraid to face your faith
er?' he asked gravely.
'.Um him." she assented. He drew
her closer.
Penny, are your"
Yep"
Penny. are you?"
His eyes were insistent. She trieS
to meet them with defiance, but sud
denly tide of red swept over the lit
tie, pointed face, a quick. singing
glorious color that left her no defense,
the first real blush of her life. Sh,
broke away FROM him. covering he