FOR HER DOG.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 177, 28 July 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

FOR HER DOG.

.(Winning letter by Eileen Hill, Kata ►Street, Helensville.) "Uncle, stop! I promise you I -won't do it again- Oh, do stop 1 I ■ ■ " A harsh voice broke upon the girl's pitiful waitings, "I'll teach you to defy me! Take that, and that, and that." Again and again the whip rose, like a vicious snake, only to tall upon the elender form of a pretty girl of fifteen years. Every stroke increased the pain a thousand-fold, cutting into her body like a knife. Every lash tore away the skin, leaving exposed a cruel mark; yet still that relentless man struck at her until he weakened and sat, breathing heavily, in a chair. j "I guess the next time I tie up dogs that annoy my sheep you won't let them go. D'you hear that? I haven't finished with you vet, young lady." Dimly Ilonore Blair heard the words. She strove to answer, but her last ounce of strength deserted her. Before she lost j consciousness she heard the door slam mockingly, and knew that lier uncle had gone to his sheep. Half an hour passed, until at length Xlonore awoke. Her body was racked with pain. She was, oh! so weak! (jiladly would she bavo placed her head on a pillow j but who was there to do the housework? What would her uncle say if she went to school without doing the housework 1 She recalled the past incidents. Jim Blair had found five of his sheep dead and had blamed Honore's only friend, Toby. Blair tied him to a post, then went into the house to get his gun, fully knowing that the dog was innocent. He accused it of killing the sheep as he hated to see all Honore's attention centred a round it. While lie was gone Honore ran to the dog untied the rope, and for a moment held him tightly, kissing his nose. "Good-bye, Toby, dear. This is the last time we'll 3ee each other. Don't come back, because I love you too much to see you shot," saying this sadly, she let him go. The dog with a knowing woof" licked her hand then bounded off. At that moment, the uncle came into view. Cursing viciously he put his rifle to his shoulder, taking aim carefuly. However, an instant before lie fired the muzzle of tlie gun was turned away, thus the bullet went flying wide. Bewildered, he turned to meet the blazing eyes of his niece. ' •• y" sbe began, when her courn e failed her utterly. She reeoiled a W»' ® lairs face filled with fiery ' ' |? e countenance seemed to expand and blot. out the horizon. -into the bouse, he pushed her, carina a? as lo ®g as he avenged her act. ° tlrH m ,'i lt ,' lay th(: teacher noticed that tho usually bright face of her pupil ,P r!w f7 n i. L 'l ter ' While L the row of desks, she saw a red mark on neck?' 0 3 Um ' While aaother wa * on her When lessons were over all +>,« i-i Jrcn deserted the ICol' Ho "° f re > listlessly in her desk her'"wt'V b,H '» Should she run away or"SoiiW ri ? UBly ' '»• more punUhment K„f L,, s ?° Waa determined not to <*rt> »» • ~e tfotttag fare of feV"whe"" t,sr so?t, b . er touched ber .Soulier S,,* hand the weary girl looked into the & P ' of As school mistress. 4 e ? eß matter '* anything the HoM« ! » n ey7"mkd r rttttSS 'L' 1 " 17 go home. told Honore to "I can'J tif M r Vht d m h i Vering ' Jo-night." F ■ p • again

"No, dear. I'll see you are not harmed." Late that night, the man lurched home, with a bag, which he placed carefully on the floor. "Ha. 80 you're waiting for more, are you?" He laughed drunkeoly seizing the whip. The girl's eyes dilated with fear. "You are not likely to survive this," the drunkard said. "I'm not your uncle, and I'm sick of keeping you. As it is, I've lost too much money on you already. Do you know how your mother and father died ? They were murdered, eh? Well, I killed them, because they knew what was in that bag, and how I got it." His eyes gazed caressingly at the bag, which at that moment dropped open, to disclose sparkling gems and cutlery. Honore cried out in astonishment, then again with terror. Blair was advancing slowly, very slowly, like a panther when ready to pounce on his prey. Watching his victim, be was surprised to sec a maddening light of joy coiue into her eyes. He jumped round to look into the bared fangs of Toby, while behind the dog, two men and the school mistress stood, 0110 man armed with a shining revolver. "Let me introduce you to the police,' James Blair. It's likely to bo the last time you'll see another strunge face . . at least on this earth. I'll say you were! clever enough to baflHj us about those robberies and that murder. Now, I'll adorn you with bracelets." The prisoner paled, as the handcuffs were placed 011 his hands. At the door he paused, addressing Honoro. "You little traitor. I'll curse you with my last breath." The orphan didn't seem to hear, for she was in her teacher's embrace. "Honey, would you and Toby stay with me? Would you like to be unadopted daughter? Say 'yes,' dear. 1 am so lonely and we wilf be so hannv together." Honore did not speak, yet in her eyes shone an affirmative answer.