THE COWARD WHO WAS NOT AFRAID.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 82, 8 April 1931, Page 16

THE COWARD WHO WAS NOT AFRAID.

"Go on, Anne, you're afraid!"

"I'm not!" Anne's lips quivered. She really was afraid, but it was such a big dog, she was sure Ronnie was a bit frightened Mmself. "Well/ , Ronnie jeered, "if you weren't afraid you would go past him, anyhow." The black retriever gave another snarl and then walked back to its kennel. The children had been to the farm houss for eggs, and coming back they had to pass the farmer's dog, which was noted for its fierceness. Anne and Ronnie raced home, never stopping until they reached their own gate. The next morning Anne was sent to do some messages for her mother at the little country store, and did hot think anything ( about retrievers as she trudged along. As she came to a turning in the road, however, she saw something which made her turn pale with terror. Just a few yards away was Po'nto, the black retriever, and underneath his paws was a child whom Anne recognised as her little sister. Anne looked around helplessly. There was ho one in sight, and what could she do. She was afraid. It would take too long to, run for help, and she - could not —yes, she would! She must get that dog away from her sister. She tore along the road, and, seizing the animal, dragged it away. , The retriever looked round at her, its savage eyes gleaming wickedly. Who was thi3 roughly treating him when he was paying back the small person who had tried to throw stones at him? Ponto bit angrily at the small white hands which held "him so tightly. Anne's eyes brimmed with tears, but she clenched her teeth, and gripped the dog even tighter than before. Would no one come? Pam, Anne's little sister, wa,s now sitting up, looking dazedly round her.

"Quick!" Anne gasped, "run home— tell daddy—-someone —quick J" Pam listened for a few seconds, then, standing up,, she ran home as fast as her little legs-would carry her. The retriever turned round savagely again, realising, that his victim had escaped, and snapped at Anne's leg.

"Oh," she gasped. Would she ever be able to keep that dreadful dog still? Her .poor hands were sore and trembling, and her leg -was bleeding badly. Ah!": Anne sighted her father coming down the road. She felt his strong arms around her and then she knew no more. When she came to again, she found herself in her own bed at home, with the whole family round her. Her mother, bending down and kissing her, whispered, "Mother's own little brave girl."

Anne smiled, rather wanly: "But, mother, I wasn't a bit brave". I was' frightened."

But everyone disagreed, and even Ronnie proudly admitted that Ire was sure none of the other boys at school had such a brave sister as his.