The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-07-27

Il am thy cricket; the lonely night
flies are my sisters. Are not the
dusty greasers and cowboy your little
brothers, Senior Northcott?''
No. Philip Northcott gently bred
gentleman that he was, answered
somewhat CURLY. mo. Bianco here
is my only brother" And turning he
called into the shadow: Come, old
fellow" -.-.
magnificent collie, slender and
perfectly formed, but like a heavy
plume for snowy whiteness, rose and
came at the words. He bridled the
collar of golden fawn about his throat,
and swayed his tail from side to side.
His feet were set lightly on the moon
lit soil as though ready to move at
the mans command, but his head was
proudly held, and his eyes alert.
The girl paused as she moved house
ward.
Are there, then, no men worthy to
be your friends in the valley? What
of-Manuel?"
She hesitated before speaking the
name, and fingered on the sound of
it when she did so.
Which Manuel?" TESTED Northcott
There are probably as many as ten
or fifteen of the name of Manuel"
From yet a little further off Chi
quita answered.:
why, the dark-eyed, broad-should-
he
with the soft, low voice."
THAT describes accurately any one
of the fifteen laughed Northcott.
mo, Bianco is their better. Good
night, my star"
One of the many Manuels presented
himself at the superintendent desk
next morning at a somewhat inau-
spicious moment. Senior Northcott
was lost in thought of the Senorita
Rosas; but, then, there were few
moments of the day when he was not.
How ingenious she isl" he was
thinking. How innocently she said
thy cricket when she would have re-
pudiated the possession fiercely
enough had I presumed to it."
"Senor Northcott." The very young,
soft voiced, and somber-eyed Manuel
stood erect and dusty before his
superior. He spread his sensitive fin
gers deprecating upon the sombrero
he clasped to his breast. "Senor
Northcott," he said.
And yet, Chiquita," the other was
thinking, lis as clever as she is in
genuous.'
What now?" asked Northcott, turn
ing.
Il am Manuel" answered the young
Mexican. Il am to be sent out to-
morrow to the lower mesa with lot
of sheep-specially chosen ones;
superfne."
"Yes?"
You have heard, senior, of the
rumored panther of the terrible noun
tain lion that has been driven to
prey upon us by this long-continued
drought and famine?"
''The man-eater, as they call him
Why, yes, I have heard of him. And
are you afraid, Manuel, of being
eaten?"
NO." replied the other, without
the rancor suspicious nature would
have shown. "It is from discretion,
and not from fear, that I speak. l
may be taken unaware, being alone
with the sheep when all my thought
must be for them. Two men are bet
ter than one in such a case. May l
take Bianco with me?"
"Bianco!" cried Philip Northcott,
startled from his Indifference. why,
Bianco belongs to me-
yes, senior, for some months you
have been his master, and he has
been your dog. Before that, l had the
care of the collies, and Bianco was
my companion, my brother. l have
known him, in fact, since he was a
child"
| Bianco rose from where he sat, un.
furled his plume, bridled his ruff
shook out his frills, and stood light.
footed before them. His attitude was
impartial, attentive, and his golden
eyes beamed love upon both his
brothers. The very young Manuel
clenched his hand to keep it from
reaching out in a caress. He smiled
sweet but forced smile at North
colt.
Il have wanted for long time tt
be your friend, Senior Northcott, be
cause you loved Bianco. I made many
advances towards friendship on your
arrival"
Northcott was both surprised and
amused.
Il have not noticed he replied. e.
YES" said the other, Il did many
little kindnesses and courtesies tt
win you to be my friend"
We'll, l had no particular need Of
friends then-and since-I have had
Bianco. He is a splendid fellow, and
certainly does credit to your train
ing"
Yes, yes!' eagerly. Il trained