Evening star., 1909-05-08

up tnC QuSJ lltO q ClOuu, llciI 8uhc IN
place over their shoulders. cleaning In
the sunlight Both horsemen carried
themselves with dignity and pride Nc
other twins in the town could ride ano
shoot as they could. (There were nc
other boy twins in the town. and the two
pairs Of girl twins did not really county
Did you ask mamma II we might go to
Old Witch this morning." asked Paul az
they pranced across little bridge which
spanned a creek half q mile from home.
Nope" replied Peter "Didn't you ash
herr"
Nope. I left that for you to do while
I got my gun." explained Paul.
But VAS was getting my gun at the .san,s sam
have asked mamma il we might come
hunting on Old Witch.
"Oh. she won't care" said Paul. Wei
get home before dinner. and when w
mamma will be so proud OF us that shell
call to Mrs. Jones next door to come In
and see what her children have caught
while hunting. And Mrs. Jones is such
gossip-mamma says she tells everything
she knows and more. too-that she'll soor
spread the news all over town. Ther
well be sure enough heroes. Won't thai
Sure it WILL" acquiesced Peter. But
gee. I'm getting ttred-or: l mean, tna'
for a horse to travel without . rest
"Oh. we'll soon be there" said Paul
"Plunger Is bit tired in his front legs
but his hind legs are strong yet. Lets
trot up"
soon entered the woods that grew ovei
the sides Of Old Witch.
Then the hunt began. Owing to tht
noise made by the horses hoofs the twins
decided to 20 afoot up tho steep hill.
side. leaving their horses tied to tree
at the foot They made rather slo"
progress. however, for they had alread!
travelled a mile, and much OF the way hao
Noon found Peter and Paul wandering
about, much frightened. hunting for theii
horses. Not that they cared particularly
for Boupder and Plunger, Tor any gooC
straight sticks would prove "a gooc
horses as they, but because they knew
their steeds were tethered right at this
end of the road leading from town, ano
they were anxious to reach their homt
again. Somehow, they had lost thei
bearings and did not know wnich way
to go. They had travelled for q long
long time and seemed to be getting into
fIeener woods all the while. ana now tney
were thirsty. hungry, tired and paa,y
frightened. Suppose bear reahy s.ou,. .h.
nroper thing would be to climb tree
smaller around than a bears body foi
then the bear could not climb after you
Peter thought It. would be q good tnine
TO build a circle Of small fires ana get into
The center of the burning circle should
hear or an elephant or gtrane appear.
A. any rate the twins were lost anc
frightened, and wondered what was 70
become of them -,
of tears. and Pauls voice was quivering
thew heard a sound coming up the hill,
aide. It sounded suspiciously like
humans voice. and it said; "Heiio! Hell
.Its a manr' whispered Paul. fear
.Asxfrc him sswhat IL It's q Wild In
dian?s JJgh! Let's hider'
.It may be q Nizardr' whispered Peter.
Yes let's hide Then they looked about
for hiding place. secure from the eyes
sound. was approaching.
..Hello-o-o-o! Hello-o-o-ot again came
the cry Peter and Paul dropped theif
gums. clasped hands. and together crouch
ing that the huge tree trunk was hollow:
thew crawled into it. It was close and
smelly in there, and several bugs-frtght-
full scarey thfngs-crawied over them.
But better bugs than an Indian. or
real wizard, or, worse still. maybe .
pirate!
'.Hello-o-o-o! Kids. where Are YOU!
Hel-l-o-o-o!"
The voice was nearer and nearer. and
resounded In the hollow tree. where lay
trembling Peter and Paul. 1T sounds
peter. yes, 1t does" replied Paul In
whisper. But it's some old wizard or
witch trying TO catch us by calling out
in q voice that sounds like some one we
know. It's what people call deception
you know
Yes" whispered Peter. Then both
Law as quiet as they could, for they feared
their trembling would shake the log and
attract attention to their hiding place.
terrible ' twins could have gone tor. asked
q familiar voice. coming from some one
within a few feet Of tho tree trunk.
Mrs. Jones said she saw them coming
toward old Witch this morning. riding
stick horses tied to a tree half mile
down the hillside It's like the little
scamps to get lost in this woods"
Yes. they're already lost. I'll be
bound" said another voice. also familiar.
chum. Fred Smith, whispered Peter.
wonder If it really could be"
But he didn't finish his question, for
at the moment hand caught hold OF
here's one Of the rascals! Eve got his
foot! Well. pom my word!-crawled into
a tree like rabbit And the next IN
slant Peter was pulled by main force
into daylight. and there, laughing at him
stood his Uncle Tom. and beside him. in
wonder was Fred Smith.
.'Where's Paul?' asked Uncle Tom. az
soon as he could nnQ MS voice, IOf Feter
aspect had been so comical.
I'm there. too" And Peter pointed
into the hollow Of the tree. But, az he
spoke. Paul began to make his exit.
coming out feet foremost. and In most
ungraceful manner. his coat turned up
over his ears and his face red from ex-
ertion and embarrassment. AS soon as
Uncle Tom could get him right end up
and could control his laughter he asked:
"Now, youngsters. why did you come
here without first asking your mothers
And. coming, why did you
hide?'
Peter and Paul stamn,ered their excuses
as best they could. ending by saying they
had hoped to find q bear to carry home.
But that they would be very glad to 60
home with Uncle Tom and Mr.. Fred.
even they they hadn't shot anything.
well, my little runaways. your mother
is very much frightened about you. and
we've been sent to fetch you. But the
minute you get home you'll be put to
bed without dinner or supper. for you'll
have TO pay the penalty Of your naughti-
ness Your mother was planning to take
YOU to the woods for q picnic today,
but now you'll have your picnic In bed
n q dark room. without the usual picnic