Charlevoix county herald., 1916-11-03

1t isn't because It's monkey. us
because it's heartless cruelty to
dumb animal"
Anyhow, you're coming right In
the house with me-"
mo, I'm not"
Look at your hand" said Mary
tersely.
Startled, June obeyed. The Red
Circle glared back at her with malevo-
lent intensity. Just for second her
face clouded Then the same, queer,
mischievous smile returned.
well, what of it?' she challenged.
you know" Mary answered, sim
ply. Come into the house with me
before you get into any trouble, dear"
Il don't want to-"
Please. I'm SO worried, pet"
+ "Oh, all right. Only don't look 80
distressed"
Upstairs, June entered her room and
ran to the window. The organ grind
er had moved out Of sight. A strange,
sickening sensation came over her
as she thought Of him and his treat
ment Of the monkey.
On a little table near the window
a small pair Of scissors caught the
sun and reelected the light, 80 that
il dazzled the eyes. June caught sight
Of them. She picked them up quickly
and slipped them, almost involuntarily
into the pocket of her dress. Then
she reached for a small sport hat that
was lying on a chair and ran out of
the room, closing the door behind her.
On the sand, leaning against pile,
under the pier, sat the Italian organ
grinder sound asleep-his old, bat
tered organ propped up beside him.
The monkey, sitting on his lap, pulled
restlessly at his coat.
The man walked stupidity for the
key over the head, forced him down
on his lap again and went back to
sleep.
June crept around, under the pier,
keeping we'll behind him until she
made sure that he was really asleep
not shamming. Very cautiously
she dropped to her knees and crawled
toward the organ.
With remarkable rapidity she un-
buckled the broad, tough strap that
was attached to 1t and got on her
feet. Then she listened to the Ital-
ian's loud breathing, before she
moved forward quietly until she
stood directly behind the pile against
which he was leaning.
There was no fear on her face.
Only caution and a certain cunning
! boldness. Stealthily, she slipped the
strap around the sleeping mans body,
drawing 1t back behind the pile. She
put the eyelet end through the buckle,
but did not fasten it. Then she put
the scissors on the sand beside her.
Having proceeded 80 far success
fully, she thought for an instant, try
ing to determine what her next move
would be. Picking up the scissors
she slipped her right hand around the
pile and started to cut the monkey g
rope, close to the Italians hand. The
monkey sensing that a deliverer had
come, laid his little face against her
hand, softly.
June pushed him back gently. The
tough. The effort to cut 1t brought
the blood to her hand. Slowly, the
Italian blinked his eyes and opened
them.
Immediately under his nose was a
strong young hand welding glitter.
ing weapon. Half-conscious, he
shuddered inwardly. In his night
mare, someone was working out a
vendetta-successfull His eyes
closed The vividness Of the dream
was too much for him, however. He
opened them again. This time all he
could see was ring Of scarlet-an
omen of eternal bloodshed.
Stupid with sleep, he made a half
attempt to sit erect. On the instant
June pulled the strap tight with her
left hand, buckled it, seized the mon
key with the right and sped off down
the beach. the cut rope trailing be
hind her.
On the edge Of the sand, an old
woman in black, CHASTITY pale and pet
rified with fear, watched her go.
Strapped to the pile, the Italian
was kicking up an awful row.
In the distance, June ran into the
entrance to Surfton park and found q
spot girdlef by shrubbery. In the
midst Of IL stood giant tree with
an absurdly thick trunk.
The monkey shifted affectionately
at her chin and raised his little paw
June Rugged him up to her, cut the
rope close to his collar, and started Il
take of his ludicrous little hat ant
coat All undressed, as he was mean
to be, the monkey reverted to type
and gazed longingly at an overhang
ing branch. June looked up at tn,
low-swaying foliage.
''Of course you want to get up there
you poor, ill-treated little beastie,
she whispered to him. That's wha
I stole you for. To set you free. ga!
thank you to the lady and shake
hands,"