Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-24

so as she stood looking after them
with tears in her eyes. She held them
back bravely, however, because she
knew her brothers despised them. OF
all the people she knew, Sue most adj
mired her big brothers, as she called
them although Jerry was no bigger
than herself and hardly so strong.
At the fence around the Ransom
pasture Jerry stopped and studied the
hills beyond with wise air.
81 believe If we'd cut across the
pasture and go up that draw we'll get
to the pinery whole mile sooner"
he said.
Over the fence they went, and were
halfway across the meadow when they
heard sound that drove the color
from their faces. The roar of a lion
or growl of bear would not have
frightened them worse.
1T can't be old Rory! I saw him in
the lower pasture yesterday" gasped
Dan.
AS II in answer to his words big
dark creature appeared from behind
some bushes Old Rory glared "a mo-
ment at the Mortified boys and then at
them he steamed, horns down and
believing ominously. Jerry was the
quicker witted.
run for that sassafras," he squeak
ed; and how they did run! Old Rory
ran too! Being the bigger and stronger,
Dan reached the tree first; but when
Dan had time enough to think. he "a
ways knew the right thing to do, and
usually he did it. He had thought just
o. H. 60 hn to1 n n
instant for Jerry to come up, grasped
his brothers slender legs and boosted.
Jerry climbed like a wildcat, and Dan
after him. In less time than it takes
to write it, they were safely perched
on big limb, holding on to the one
above it, while Rory paved and roared
and jammed his shaggy head against
the trunk of the tree.
"Whew!" whistled Dan, wiping his
forehead. Then he groaned Nobody
ever comes up here. Well be here till
after dark"
1--WE might call for help" suggested
Jerry.
Nobody would hear us; and any
way He broke of, but Jerry knew
what he had meant to say. Why, even
mother would smile little If she
knew, after the way they had acted!
There was just one among all the peo-
pie they knew who would not laugh.
Anyhow, it's good thing she
wasn't along" said Dan, partly to
Jerry and partly to his own con-
science.
1--WE wouldn't have tried any short
cuts if she had been here said Jerry
honestly, and Dams conscience agreed
with him.
An hour passed. only 1t seemed like
ten; two hours that seemed like
twenty. Old Rory stopped paving and
began to Craze, but he kept one wick
ed on the boys. Jerry was restless
lad. It was hard for him to keep still.
II believe I'll have to YELL he
groaned at last.
well, yell away" Dan consented
gloomily. mo one will ever hear you
anyhow"
So Jerry shouted till the woods
rang. and he was hoarse.
Ssh! The bushes over there are
moving" whispered Dan.
Something was making its way
through the underbrush. 1t parted
presently just outside the fence, and a
small wondering face peeped through.
The boys grinned foolishly: but even
Sue did not laugh. She looked scared
and worried. Then her face changed
little. She flushed and spoke shyly.
81 wasn't tagging. Mother said l might
go as far as the creek, and II heard
you," she explained hastily.
Jerry and Dan grinned again. but
neither of them spoke. Sue did not
offer to 60 for help. Well she knew
her big brothers would not care to
have it known that they had been
freed by old Rory! There was long
and anxious silence. Then Sue looked
down at her red apron and her face
lighted.
II can take this off and go down the
fence on the other side and wave 1t.
He'll run at 1t and then you can get
down"
Dan and Jerry looked at each other
uneasily. 1T would be perfectly safe
The fence is strong and high. It has
to be; and they've Just mended it,
Look at the new boards and posts!
There wouldn't be bit of danger"
Dan decided at length.
So Sue ran around to the other side
and down the fence till she was op-
posite old Rory. Then she waved the
apron, and with a below of rage he
fairly plunged at it. Watching her
brothers anxiously, Sue walked slowly
on. 1t seemed to her that Jerry didn't
touch the fence at all as he went
over: but he didn't forget to rescue
the lunch basket as he passed it. For
tunately. they had dropped it behind
a bush and old Rory didn't see it.
Were going to the pinery. You
wan to go?" asked Dan when they
were all together again. He had had
plenty of time to think, perched on
that sassafras limb.
"All right" cried Sue joyously.
We'll stop at Sewall's and telephone
mother. She said she put up luncheon
for all of U.S.
Minorvo nnY,o v,aor Effu