Arizona republican., 1911-12-08

l Captain Easter was not cue to Iost
 a golden opportunity; never did he sC
 thoroughly demonstrate his right tt
 the name of Pallybaster His friendli
 ness was overwhelming.
 | He could not bear that anyone els, | should have a word with Sir Maurice | He never gave a thought to his pro | pOsal: indeed, there was no haste: he | knew that Mrs. Dangerfield was await ing 1t with passionate impatience | The Twins were intolerable with their interruptions he wondered how Sir Maurice could endure it. when he had
 man of the world. humorous. know ing, wealthy. to talk to. In truth he was little disappointed in Sir Mau- rice: he did not find him frankly re- sponsiye-poiite. yes indeed politeness could go no further; but he lacked warmth. When. at seven o'clock. Cap tain Easter tore himself away with a hearty promise to be back at nine sharp, he was not sure that he had made a lifelong friend. He felt that the friendship might need clenching
 As the house-door shut behind him. Sir Maurice wiped his brow with the air of one who has toiled hard and long: "I feel sticky-positively sticky" he said. "Oh. Erebus. you do have gummy friends, I thought we should never get rid of him. I thought he had stuck himself to us for life''
 Mrs. Dangerfield smiled: the Terror laughed: but ErebuS cried hotly. Hes not a friend of mine,''
 We call him the Cruncher-because of his teeth" said the Terror.
 Then beware. Erebus-beware You are young-and possibly savory." said Sir Maurice.
 Its Mum he wants to crunch up not me- said Erebus; and the bolt shot. the Twins fed
 Sir Maurice looked at his sister and said softly. "Oho, see-heroism." Then he laid his hand on her shoulder affectionately and added Tt won't do. Anne"
 Do you think so:" said Mrs. Dan gerfield in q faint tone of disappoint- ment
 Think? I'm dead certain" said her brother
 Mrs. Dangerfeld ran m the stairs to dress. on the light feet of q girl: an oppressive weight had been lifted from her spirit
 Captain Easter ate his dinner in state of sizzling excitement: he knew that he had made splendid firstsim- precision he was burning to deepen if. But on his eager way to Colet House he walked warily. He came safely out of the lane into the broad turfed road which runs across the common. and quickened his pace. There was not enough light to display the iaunty air with which he walked in all its per fectiCn: hut there seemed to be enough light for more serious matters. for stone struck him on the thigh with considerable force. He had barely fin ishni the jump with which he greeted it. when another stCne whiZZed vi- ciously past his head then third smote him on the arm. With tho aD- pallinc roar of bull of Bashan tho gallant officer dashed in the direction whence. he judged. the stones came He was just in time to stop a SinC,l- larly hard stone with his marble brow: then he found a gorse-bush. by trip ping over root-a g0rsebush which seemed unwilling n release him from its stimulating. not to say pricllly em- brace. As hr widowed in it. a stone fourd him-his anklebonc.
 Wien ic got free of tho gorse-bush. .ie SEW that there was only one thing tn a. hc ,orC across the common to C-let House as tard as he could belt. When the ,iT; Irened. he plunged across tho hail into the drawing room. The 1cr-or formed the center of domestic scene: he was playing draughtS with his Tnclp Maurice
 IT made sure if was that young whelp" gasped Captain Easter as he sank heavily into q chair. and instantly sprang from if with howl as he rhanced on several tokens of the gorse- bushs clingi1g affection.
 This curious. but dishpveled entry brought the others to their feet full of surlIriS,, and inquiries.
 I've been stoned-stoncd by some huIking scoundrcls on the conmon .'' -ried Captain Easter: and he displayed the considerable bump which rose upon his marble brow.
 Mrs. Dangcrfield was full of sym Dathy and concern: Sir Maurice was ,ool-interested. hut cool: he did not blaze into the passionate indigna ton bl i bOSOil lTitilu. fle Sdl uoN II dSdiu it the draught-board.
 "I know--I know what it is." cried Mrs. Dangerfiel1. with an Illuminating fash of womanly intuition. You've been humorous to some Of the vil- agers,"
 "No-nO-I haven't spoken to any of them: but I'll give the scoundrels a lesson. I'll put the police onto them first thing tomorrow morning. cried Captain Easter. Then Erebus came in. her piquant face all aSlow: ''I cant find your anywhere. mother" she aid. Have you been running to find if? You're quite out of breath" said the Terror in tone of deep meaning. For moment horrid suspicion filed the mind of Captain Easter: but lo il was impossible-a child in whose rens flowed some of the best blood in | slender arm could never ! nave hurled the stones On the other | land Sir Maurice appeared to have | Tor once lost his admirable self-posscs- | sion; he was staring at his beautiful | niece with his mouth slightly open. | He rose hurriedly. muttered something | ibout finding his handkerchief. and | out of the room. They heard | , door bang upstairs; then. through