Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-08-05

noble quarry? Her eyes grew softer,
and the lowered lids drove away all
their bright mockery.
"Tm very sorry" she said humbly,
but he looked so big and jumped sa
high that
"Poor old Bill was hungry" inter-
rupted Givens. in quick defense of the
deceased. I'VE always made him jump
for his supper In camp. He would lie
down and roll over for a piece of
meat. When he saw you he thought
he was going to get something to eat
from you"
Suddenly Josefa's eyes opened wide.
"I might have shot your she ex-
claimed. "You ran right in between.
You risked your life to save your pet.
That was fine. Mr.. Givens. like a
man who is kind to animals"
Yes; there WIS esen admiration IN
her gaze now. After ALL there was a
hero rising out OF the ruins of the anti
climax. The look on Givens' face
would have secured him a high posi-
tion in the S. p. c. A.
81 always loved EN-" said he
"horses, dogs. Mexican lions. cows. al
ligators'-
IL hate alligators." instantly demur
red IOsefa-"crawly. muddy things
did say aligators?" said Givens
81 meant antelopes. of course"
Josefa's conscience drove her to
tfaaly trt1 1,nr hn hntI l,,t
her hand penitentIy. There was a
bright, unshed drop in each of her
eyes.
"Please forgive me. Mr.. Givens.
won't you? I'm only girl, you know,
and | was frightened at first. I'm
| very, very sorry shot Bill. You
| don't know how ashamed | feel
wouldn't have done it for anything"
Givens took the proffered hand He
held 1t for ii time while he allowed the
his grief at the loss of Bill. At last
1t was clear that he had forgiven her.
"Please don't speak of 1t any more,
Miss JoSefa Twas enough to fright.
en- any young lady the way Bill looked
| I'll explain it all right to the boys"
"Are you really sure you don't hate
me-" Josefa came closer to him i'm
pulsively Her eyes were sweet-oh
sweet and pleading with gracious peni
tence Il would hate any one who
would kill my kitten And how dar
ing and kind of you to risk being shol
when you tried TO save him! How
very few men would have done that!
Victory wrestcd from defeat! Yaude
vile turned into drama Brava, Rip
ley Givens,
1t was now twilight. OF course
Miss Josefa could not be allowed tt
ride on to the ranch house alone. Civ
ems resaddled his pony in spite of tha
animals reproachful glances and rod,
with her. Side by side they gallopec
across the smooth grass. the princes.
and the man who was kind to animals
The prairie odors of fruitful earth ant
delicate bloom were thick aud swee
around them. { ntes yelping oveI
there on the hill. No fear. And yet
| JOScld lbht NlOSCt n iltl'N AuiiN
seemed to grope. Givens found |
with his own. The ponies kept al
even gait The hands fingered togeth
er, and the owner of one explained:
81 never was frightened before. bu
Just think how terrible 1t would b,
to meet a really wild lion! Poor Bill
I'm so glad you came with met
O'Donnell was sitting on the rancl
gallery.
Hello. Rip"' he shouted. "Tha
: you?"
"He rode in with me-" said Josefa
II lost my way and was late"
much obliged" called the cattl
king. stop over. Rip. and ride t
camp in the morning"
But Givens would not He woul'
push on to camp. There was bunc