Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-02-16
\ LORD
4 HOMELAND
CHAPTER X.-CoNI1NuEp.

IL an alarm were S1Ven-lf he should
find himself in the hands of the po-
lice-that would be the worst thing
that had happened yet.
If this beast who lay there com
planned to the police of his assault Val
couldn't defend himself by telling the
truth, because Mrs. Millions name must
rot be brought in. He did not admire
her particularly. and he owed her no
gratitude. but she was a woman. and
suddenly he knew of himself that he
would bear the worst that might befall
him rather than drag Mrs. Milton into
a scandal.
Fol as long as he might have taken
to count twelve perhaps Lord Love-
land stood making up his mind and
staring at the man on the ground; then
he walked away as quickly as he
dared.
The end of the street Ind no pursu-
ing steps or shouts Of accusing voices.
Once round the corner Loveland
breathed more freely. but with the
white CLINT Of his uncovered evening
shirt he was a marked man among
men whose overcoats acknowledged
winter, and his one anxiety for the
moment was to get on as far as pos
sible in as short a time as possible.
He had two or three small pieces Of
American money in his pocket rather
more than equal to the value Of an
English shilling, and he thought of
hurting himself into a tearing electric
car or rushing up the steps of an
81" station to board the first train that
should come in. But be did not know
what destination to name and feared
that if he professed Indifference as to
the end of the journey he might arouse
suspicion. 1t was wiser. he decided. to
go on foot. lodging from the brilliant
ly lighted avenues into the darker cross
streets, and so on. indefinitely. until it
seemed safe to call a halt.
When he found himself in the plaza
and saw the black forest Of the park
billowing away into distance like the
gulf of night he looked toward it as a
refuge. If only it were still open at
this hour! If only he could get in.
His doubt died at birth. for a big mo-
torcar whizzed by him and into the
velvet gloom. Evidently Central park
was not shut to the public at night.
Loveland was bitterly cold now-cold
all the way through to his heart-but
he flung himself down on a bench IN
der a low branching tree and wondered
desolately if he had found his quarters
for the night.
For a moment he had sat there, try
ing to marshal the routed army of his
thoughts. before he realized that he
was not alone on the seat. Something
stirred at the far end where the shad-
ow was deepest. There was a faint
tinkle as of a fairy bella cracked
fairy bell-and a tiny shape leaped
from the bench. Loveland watched it
fitting here and there. darting across
the glimmering gray road and then
about to prick daintily back again
when a motor swung round the curv-
ing corner.
The fragile sound Of the bell was
drowned, and the little shape would
have gone under the fat tired wheels,
to be swept into nothingness like chaff
by the wind. had not Val sprung for
ward and dashed across the road in
front Of the car. catching up the NOR
sci in his rush.
He risked his life. but the lights of
the car had shown him in one binding
flash that the frisking thing was a
miniature black dog no bigger than bis
hand, and Val loved dogs. big and lit
tie, with all that was best and warmest
in him. Nothing could have tempted
him to hurt a dog or. indeed, any ami
NAL ave those it was the legitimate
sport Of Englishmen to kill, and he
could imagine himself numbering a
man guilty Of cruelty to any helpless
creature.
The motor horn gave a shrek, and
there was a grinding Of brakes jam
med or with savage s~uddenness, but
the a could not have stopped in time.
IF wac 0n1v Tovalard,s ~o11ioknosS which