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A ragged little shadow flitted down the path behind hihost in the middle of the

field, came the woo of a screech oice It was answered--twice--

frorew in a fence-corner fifty yards west

of the pasture bars Then the barrel of a squirrel rifle issued, lifted

out of the white elder-blosso the fence The music in the

house across the way ceased, and Harkless sahite dresses co parlor s to the veranda

"It will be cooler out here," cah

the quiet "What a night!"

John vaulted the bars and started to cross the road They saw him from the

veranda, and Miss Briscoe called to hiure

stood out plainly in the bright light against the white dust, a streak of

fire leaped fro out the sharp report of

a rifle There were two screaure ran

into the house The other, a little one with a gauzy wrap streaht to Harkless There

was a second report; the rifle-shot was answered by a revolver Willia by the pasture

bars, fired at the flash of the rifle

"Jump fer the shadder, Mr Harkless," he shouted; "he's in them elders,"

and then: "Fer God's sake, comeback!"