The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-10


 We found Linda in ths living room Arranging some fishing tackle She af. once appealed to Joe.
 "tOh, Joe, want to try sasAe Of those English lures MT. QuaEt2rh gRva me. I'm going to fish, and I want to use this two 5ointed pole. Will yoW fix 1t for me2''
 'I'd ike you to make me a pEOm4 ase. Miss Linda"
 What is it2''
 s.Not to go out at all today"
 sYcu don't think I'm in dangerY'
 You're in great danger, RGisa Lfnda''
 'Theu you must go out with me. Joe. If you are with me they will nos dare',-
 Look here, Miss Linda, if you'lI stay fn the house just over today wouldn't wonder but it might be quite safe for you to go out tomorrow and ever after.''
 zoe. you mean you have discover eds1
 ssNo; atn't discovered nothing, but if you stay in the way I ask maybe shall" Joe took up his hat
 Where are you going, November I asked
 '.Over to Senlts lake, MT. Quaritch Will you zee Ben Puttfck and tell him won't be back till Iateish and will he cook the potatoes and the cornhoilr cakes if don't get back to timer Mss Linda, will you please tell every one, even your father, that you have mighty painful head and that's why you're staying inf"
 ssYes, Joe." said Linda.
 .a.- Y and eat with it in the veranda, where I was joined in due course by Linda and MT. Petersham.
 ttIt,s cool here, the only cool spot fn the place today, remarked Petersham.
 .sYes; and don't the spruces smell sweet?" said Linda. Joe cut them to give me shade.'
 She pointed to a row of tall saplingg propped against the rail of the TeTan- da so as to form a close screen.
 Joe always thinks of things for peo- ple,a she added.
 Petersham glanced from me to Lin da. If yonr headache is bad you had better lie down in the house, he said
 ssIt is ever so much better. but I'll fetch some smelling salts. 7
 I was about to offer to bring them for her when I caught her fathers
  where was. As soon as she had gene in Petersham stepped up to me and whispered:
 gro give her shade" he repeated
 looked around and nodded
 t'There is always shade hera,n he went on sThe sun can't get in through the pines on this side. The wood is thfckest here"
 4aThat's true.' I agreed, looking at the close grown junipers that stood in front of us ssJoe stacked these san 1ings against the rail for some other reason
 -sof course. He knew that Linda would very likely sit here. and he wasl afraid.''
 "Afraid7 Of what?" said Linda sud denly from behind us. "No one could hurt me here. Why, I could call for help and you. are both here. ToU couldi protect me"
 Mot against rifle bullet. said Pe- tersham. Igor my sake, go in. LindaI''' As he said the words from far away came the sound of a shot Distance robbed it of that acrimony with which the modern rifle speaks. and it struck a dull, even drowsy note upon the air of that languid afternoon Of late spring.
 What can that be2" cried Linda As if in answer came the sullen far off sound three times repeated, and then, after an interval. a fourth "ShootingF' cried Linda again, very white, her blue eyes wide with terror. 'And it's from the direction Of Senlis Iake!'
 Ben. Ben PuttickF' roared Peter sham.
 But loud as was his voice. Ldnda's call rose higher.
 Here I amr' We heard Putticks voice from inside the house. and he ran out Q minute later.
 'tWe heard five shots from Senlis lake, said. ''We must start at once, you and I. Mr. Petersham will stay with Miss Linda.''
 Puttick looked me in the eyes.
 Are you tired of your hfe2'' he ask ed grimly.
 we have no time to think of that EeC reaev:
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