The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-08-19

outside. and waving his hand franti-
cally, as in a signal.
what are you doing" l cried, and
then, running out to his side, looked
across the moors to see whom he was
beckoning to.
You go too far. sir" said he an
grily; II didn't thought you would
have gone SO far. A gentleman has
out your being the spy upon him. If
we are to be friends, you must not
Interfere in my affairs"
II don't like these secret doings."
said l. land my father would not like
them. either"
, "Your father can speak for himself.
and there is no secret" said he curtly.
ut is you, with your imaginings. that
make secret. Ia, ia, ta! have
no patience with such foolishness."
And, without so much as mod, he
turned his back upon me and started
walking swiftly to West Inch.
Well. ]. followed him, and in the
worst of tempers, for had feeling
that there was some mischief in the
wind, and yet could not for the
life of me think what 1t all meant
What could there be to spy about in
Berwickshire. And besides, Major FL
lott knew all about him, and he
would not show him such respect If
there was anything amiss.
had just got as far as this in
my thoughts when heard CHEEKY
hail, and there was the major him
self, coming down the hill from his
house, with his big bulldog Bounder,
held in leash. This dog was savage
creature. and had caused more than
one accident on the countryside, but
the major was very fond Of 1t, and
would never go out without 1t, though
he kept it tied with a good, thick
thong Of leather. Well, just as was
looking at the major. waiting for him
to come up. he stumbled with his
lame leg over a branch of gorse, and
in recovering himself he let go his
hold of the leash, and in an instant
there was the beast of a dog flying
down the hillside in my direction.
did not like 1t, I can tell you,
for there was neither stick nor stone
about, and 1 knew that the brute
was dangerous. AS it came at me
with bristling hair and its nose
screwed back between its two red
eyes, cried out, "Bounderl Bounder!"
at the pitch of my lungs. 1t had
its effect, for the beast passed me
with a snarl, and flew along the path
on the traces of Bonaventure de Lapp.
He turned at the shouting, and
seemed to take in the whole thing
at a glance, but he strolled along as
slowly as ever. My heart was in my
mouth for him, for the dog had never
seen him before, and ran as fast as
my feet would carry me to drag 1t
away from him. But somehow, as
1t bounded up and saw the twittering
finger and thumb which De Lapp held
out behind him, its fury died suddenly
away, and we saw 1t wagging its
thumb Of a tail and clawing at his
knee.
"Your dog, then, major?" said he,
as its owner came hobbling up. "Ah,
It is a fine beast-a fine. pretty thing"
The major was blowing hard, for
he had covered the ground nearly as
fast as ! had.
II was afraid lest he might have
hurt you" he painted.
"Ta, ia, tai" cried De Lapp. HE
Is a pretty, gentle thing. always
love the dogs. But I am glad that
/ have met you, major. for there Is
this young gentleman. to whom ! owe
very much, who has begun to think
that / am a spy. Is II not so. Jackf"
1 was so taken aback by his words
that l could not lay my tongue to an
answer, but colored up and looked
askance, like the awkward country
lad that was.
"You know me. major" said De
Lapp; 'and l am sure that you will
tell him that this could not be-"
mo, no. Jacki Certainly not Ger
tainly notp cried the major.
"Thank you," said De Lapp. "You
know me. and you do me justice. And
yourself, hope that you Will soon
have your regiment given you."
"I am well enough" answered the
major; "but they will never give me
a place unless there is war, and there
will be no more war in my time"
"Ohi you think that" said De Lapp,
with a smile. swell, nous verrons-
We shall see. my friend" He whisked
of his hat. and turning briskly. he
walked OFF in the direction of West
Inch. The major stood looking after
him with thoughtful eyes, and then
asked me what 1t was that had me
think that he was spy. When l
told him he said nothing. but he shook
his head. and looked like man who
was i'll at ease in his mind.
ITO be contfnued)