Fred S. Lincoln

“ They hurried on breathlessly—happily—until they found the tracks turned to a sharp angle, and a broken place in the snow on the top rail of the fence showed distinctly the crude method in which that obstruction had been overcome, and then the imprints in the snow began again on the opposite side, running away into the densest portion of Brandt's thicket. Here their spirits fell, and they stopped to discuss the uselessness of further proceeding. Weller's hound climbed the fence, proceeded a few yards, then looked back at the group expectantly. ”

“ Kent, who was not far away, and reconnoitering about Brandt's house, stopped quickly at the familiar sound. He listened intently. Again the dog howled, and, concluding that something was amiss, he was driven to a quick expedient. To hurry away meant to have that noisy dog follow him home, and perhaps Weller with him. To climb a tree would be to make himself ridiculous ”

“ I dunno how t' feel much neither, but ef it wuz me I'd keep my word an' clear out—thet's what I'd do, an' do it quick, too."
"Then, why don't he?" asked someone, "er else shet his mouth an' not cry like a whipped baby."
"As I say," began Landy, arising from his chair and retorting angrily, "as I say, I don't know much about feelin's, but what I do know is thet his hurts is wuss than airy whipped baby's ever wuz, an' what's more, it's late fer you to be gettin' th' first lesson o' how babies feel, but ef y' don't take that back I'm a-goin' t' learn y' afore it gits too late." ”

“ She caught his hand quickly, begging him not to go, but he smiled faintly and withdrew it as he said:
"We can't let him get far, y' know; so th' quicker I go the sooner I'll bring him back."
"But he'll kill y'. I know he will!" she protested. ”