The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-10-03

side and trying TO gain the bank. but
the sportsmeE there set up a laughing
shout which warned her not to trust
them. Desperately she fed upstream
cutting her feet on sharp stones. but
never faltering. 1t was not easy TO
run against the current-the rock bot
tom was slippery in places and her
wet skirt hampered her terribly.
Still she kept out of reach until she
was twenty yards off the ford. The
Hat faced man, laughing and painting
after her. caught her there and said as
he gave her n resembling kiss: "'Pon
my soul Undine. it was worth it.
haven't had such a lark since | was a
boy"
Lorena broke from him. crying wild
ly: "Granvillei Mr.. Gore! Kill this
cfeaturer'
At that the men laughed louder than
ever. Granville had discreetly disap
peared He was sorry for Lorena,
also angry with her. even angrier than
with his friend of the fiat. red face.
There were millions back of the fat
red face-milionS that might mean
much to Cores future. Was he to risk
their help. TO invite everlasting chaff
to make himself the butt of the grill
rooms next time he was in town. by
championship of girl, silly country
girl. who should have known better
than to put herself in such case?
Mullen. he of the fiat. red face. was
not a bad sort, only full of uncouth
spirits Lorena would come to no
harm. And if she had sense enough to
see to ii that she was handsomely
made mp to for her present fright. But
Of course he could not acknowledge
her as an acquaintance when she look
ed such a guy and had let herself get
caught in such plight
Lorena. noting his absence, stumbled
hindly toward the bank and half fell
upon it. covering her eyes with both
hands Mullen scrambled out beside
her and tried to lift her to her feet
the rest jeering him, pretending to say
things aside and singing in cracked
chorus, Where is my wandering boy?'
They were laughing so loud. watch
ing so intently. Johnny fell upon them
like thunderbolt from blue skies
Johnny was still in working clothes
He had. in fact. started to the black
smiths shop in mad hurry in hope
Of getting a dulled plow point sharp
ened. So he had come to the ford In
the very nick of time to see that wo
man was in need Of help and to rush
10 give H.
"Gentlemen"-JOhn voice cut like
ice-'you must show me your warrant
for taking a prisoner. Unless you do
He stopped short there, his face white,
his eyes two points of flame Even yet
he did not know. but a second later
Lorena was beside him. clinging to
him. burying her face in his rough
sleeve and sobbing out: Johnny, save
me, Take me away, Don't stop to
fight them-only take me and gor'
Not yet" Johnny said. putting her
gently away.
The events Of the next five minutes
are better left unchronicled. Suffice IL
that Mr.. Granville Gore and bis sports
men friends from the city went away
on the night train. ut least two OF the
visitors carrying beautiful black eyes
AZ TO how the eyes had been achieved
there was discreet silence, but when in
the fall Lorena and Johnny were mar
ried there came to the bride chest OF
massive silver, along with an unsign
ed note which ran: please accept this
in token OF forgiveness. Remember
you owe me something-in that gave
you occasion to find out the difference
there is between man and mouse"
Loreua was for sending II back, but
Johnny laughed and said; mullen is
right lie is a man. You can drub a
man into decency. but a mouse always
runs away"
"And | hate mice of every sort" 10
rena added with pensive smile,