Evening star., 1912-11-10

20 way from that nat. yelled Meredith to the dog
and lunged forward his flexible cedar, like jockey
coming under the wire.
perhaps not half an hour ago not of us dreamed
that death could possibly be u.s." resumed the
stranger in the poplar in gentle but compelling voice
yet here we are, confronted by death in its most dis
tressing form
do you carry a revolvero" inquired young Meredith
vindctivey, watching the destruction of his veolar
straw hat.
"Thats my dog, Mr.. Meredith Alice reminded
think of it, went the stranger anyone of
here might have been bitten by this rabid animal
might have contracted hydrophobia, and might have
died in agonzing convusons, leaving those and
dear to dependent upon the merces of unfeelng
world"
"Are you from the Anchor the Colonial office?" in
quired Father. a asked both for literature
a am General Sales Manager Lemuel W. Custer, of
the Colonial Insurance Company" announced the
puckered stranger with firm pride II have nothing
say, however, against the Anchor Association 1t is
very good company"
"Confound it! there's ants in this ree." suddenly
walled Father. with a terrifying knowledge that he
could not protect himself.
The shaking of the branches as he turned brought the
dog to that spot immediately. The spread of his mouth
as he looked up; was appalling;
"The Colonial, however is the company best suited
to your needs Mr. Boggs resumed Lemuel W. Custer
earnestly. This | sincerely believe"
what beautiful picture" young Meredith
pimented Alice feeling cautiously with his left foot for
better hold, and at the same time favoring her with
another melting look. II wish | had my camera
Alice looked at him and giggled. The she tried
to imagine how he would manage to camera,
bumped in that absurd position, with his hands
and feet srenuousy occupied the more she gigged
"Alce, you very rude" reproached Mother.
what you laughing at?'
"Oh nothing" giggled Alice.
Il have prepared illustrative tables, showing six
forms of insurance adaptable your case Mr. Boggs
patiently persevered Mr. Custer, producing long en-
velop from his pocket. with your permission will
He took out jack knife, whitfield off long, slender
wthe of the poplar, cut cleft in it's end inserted the
envelop in the cleft and poked it down toward Mr.
"Now's your chance, Roly." called Alice from the
beech tree. Father will drop that enveop. The dog
will go after it. The minute he starts, you make run
for the house, and telephone for the dog catcher
FATHER BOGGS paused in the painful operation Of
stretching for the enveop long enough to the
assumption of his awkwardness then, glaring his
irritating daughter he made another reach for the
velop, secured it-and dropped it,
1t Mother who laughed longest and 1oudest at
this fulflment of Aice's prophecy. Fathers reproof
characteristic.
Lucy you shaking every apple of that ree!'
he angrily charged.
hood, had nerved himself to do or die: He clutched
firmly at his swaying perch. The dog, barking for
the fallen envelop.
Young Meredith, putting his cheek, sprang to the
ground. The dog whred as if he had been pivot,
and started back Young Meredith executed as de-
cisive pivot movement of his and sprang for his
perch nearly pitching headlong to the other side The
dog secured sample of his trousers before he could
climb to safety.
Lemuel W. Custer took advantage of the depression
to slip swiftly down his poplar grab the fallen envelop,
and swing himself into the maple just ahead of the
dogs hot breath.
"Watch out!" painted Father Boggs, quakng with
apprehension Mr.. Custer climbed nimbly him
and round him and above him. "Don't step my leg.
These little branches liable to break any minute.
1 can feel them beginning to give! There's ant down
the back of my neck"
II beg your pardon Sir responded the active little
man. gaining a straddng seat of his own just above
Father Boggs and settling himself in it quite COM
fortably "Here the illustrative policies, Mr..
Boggs,' and he passed down the enveop. II thought
it might be better if to here where
can be close enough to explain"
Father Boggs stuffed the envelop in his pocket and