The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-07-09

rate. when the tiger had borne tim
away to his lair Akersiie the coward
Suddenly there was u terrific roar. a
sitting Odor of fur. Welton's band in
stinctively few to his pocket. aud to
his surprise the revolver was there.
There was sharp crack at one of the
yellow spots of light and a rush OF air
as the beast sprang toward him. He
dropped to the floor. and With a ire
mendous thud the animal struck the
closed shutters and bounded back with
a bloodcurdiing scream OF battied rage
and pain.
Welton had leaped over the railing
and slipped behind the protecting trunk
of giant teak. The amman stuffed
about the veranda. and presently there
was cry OF startled fright and Wei
ton remembered the sleeping punka
boy He SAW the tiger stepping down
the path. his jaws gripping a dark.
moaning bundle
He knew that. unmOlested. the beast
would now retire to the jungle with
his victim and that the occupants of
the bungalow as well as himself would
be free from danger. He ground his
teeth and aimed for the other eye. He
put it out
In the light Of the stars he saw the
beast SILVER drop the dark bundle
which sped affrightedly away. and
then come toward him with bleeding
blinded eyes and snaring mouth
1t was only question of time now
Around the tree he lodged. and then
farther away from the house toward
the StOckade He would lure the beast
from the vicinity of the bungalow and
fight it out with him in the open space
before the jungle, which rose dark
and forbdding in the background One
would win out and the other
Again he heard the crack Of his re-
volver. and yet again, and still the
beast did not fall Still he tracked
the man biudly. remorselessly. There
were two cartridges left in the cham
Der, and then-again Welton fred.
once, twice. With shuddcr he felt
something soft on his cheek.
by JOve. Billy seems a bit sleepy!
Wake up and hear the news. Old man.
Welton recognized the facetious tone
of AkerSlie his faithess friend He
opened his eyes slowly. wonderfully
Overhead the great stars were hang
ing in the dark blue sky. and there
was a rank Odor of rotting vegetation
from the nearby jungle
He was reclining in the bamboo
chair, and Marion stood behind him
with her soft hand upon his rumpled
hair. There was a glow of lampight
from the open window OF the drawing
room, and in the opposite direction he
could see that the gate of the com
pound was closed.
"The-man eater?' be asked dazedly.
moving his cramped limbs
What made you think of that?"
asked Akerslie ruefully. Il was Just
going to spring it on you! Chuni-the
brave, the incompatible Chuni-has
slain the man eater just without the
stockade! Look
Welton rose stlttiy to his feet and
looked sheepshly at the flaming
torches and the crowd of brown skin
ned natives who were trlumphantly
dragging the huge carcass through the
gateway. Chuni proud and victorious.
salaamed before his master For
the honorable sahib," he said solemn
ly.
a little later Marion babe her lover
good night What do you think.
Billy| she murmured softly. with IA
*ide glance at the stalwart form of
Akerslie. Major Akersie has been
cling me about his Engagement to
Marjorie Booth-a dear schoolmate of
'aine-and I'm afraid we were so
much interested in talking about her
that we forgot you! Were you really
asleep, Billy"
Il hope So said Billy impresSively