Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-07

Whateer he does. whereer he goes
A fox will always trust his nose.
-Reddy Fox
| Jolly. round. red Mr.. Sun had gone
to bed behind the Purple Hills. The
Black Shadows were creeping across
the Green Meadows and all through
the Green Forest. Reddy Fox watched
them from the edge of the Old Pas
| ture. He was waiting for it to get
quite dark AS he waited he grinned.
IF nothing has happened to Peter
Rabbit-and / don't believe anything
has-he has simply been staying at
home in the Old Briar Patch. And if
Peter has been staying at home in
the Old Briar Patch all these days and
nights it is for a reason. There is
something there that interests him
more than gadding about gossping,
and it must be something very inter-
eSting indeed to do that. L have an
idea that Peter has a secret and that
that secret will interest me quite as
much as it does Peter .
AS soon as it was dark enough 10
suit him Reddy started toward the
Old Briar Patch. He trotted twiftly
until he could see just ahead OF MN
what looked like a bigger, blacker
Shadow in the midst of the Black
from the Purple Hills. He knew il
wasn't a Shadow at all. but the Old
Briar Patch itself Then Reddy began
to move very slowly and cautiously,
crouching low and every two or three
steps stopping to look and listen
Reddy knew exactly where were the
matches of sweet clover nearest the
Old Briar Patch. and it was toward
the nearest of these that he now
crept You see. Reddy makes ii his
business to know such things as TINS,
He makes il his business to know az
about everything that interests those
in whom he is himself interested. He
lis always interested in Peter and Mrs.
Peter and so he knows all about their
favorite clover patches and other eat
ing places. He knows just which ones
are within jump or two of the Old
Briar Patch and which ones are far
enough away to make them a bit
dangerous for careless young
Rabbit.
The clover patches nearest the Old
Briar Patch were the ones he was IN
terested in now. He examined the
first one very carefully, smelling the
ground all about between it and the
edge of the Old Briar Patch. He did
the same thing at the next patch OF
clover Both times he shook mis- head
in disappointment
But a& the third patch of sweet
clover his eyes suddenly CLEANED with
satisfaction and eagerness. ReddN
grinned. That wonderful nose of his
had found the fresh scent of Rabbit,
and it was young Rabbit. very young,
Rabbit Just as | thought. NUT
tered Reddy. Peter has a family amt
that is why he is staying at home
wonder how big that family is
must find out"
Slowly and carelly Reddy went all
around that patch OF clover ms nose
in the damp grass. In one spot the
Rabbit scent was very strong ms
ID where Peter sat keeping watch,
Thought Reddy, and grinned as ne Pic
tured to himself Peter sitting up look
ing this way and that way for danger
while the little Bunnies ate their bit.
He found the scent of Mrs. Peter and
recognized it at once.
But what interested him most WAS
the faint scent of young Rabbits all
about. Slowly. patiently. carefully he
followed each little line of scent
often they were so mixed together
that he couldn't tell them apart Then
they would separate. Reddy was in no
hurry. He took his time and he
worked carefully.
At last he was satisfied He glanced
once toward the Old Briar Patch.
grinned, and then trotted away as
silently as he had come. six said
Reddy. six. and no one knows about
them but me-"
DOWNRIGHT 1920 by t w Rurcess)