Part 19 (1/2)

”No, I hope not,” answered Harry with a boyish laugh

This laugh, which sounded natural and genuine, evidently inspired the girl with confidence

”If I let you in, will you promise to do no ret ad us, we promise that”

There was still a little pause of indecision, and then a bolt was drawn, and the door opened The two boys saw in the doorway a pleasant-faced girl of fourteen, whose eyes fell upon them not without a shade of anxiety But when she saw that the two visitors were boys not much older than herself, there was a look of relief, and she said: ”I will trust you Come in if you like Hush, Bruno!”

This was addressed to a large shepherd dog that stood beside her, eying theht seeht of the comfortable interior of the hut On the one side of the roo The flickering flames helped illumine the apartrateful to the two tired wanderers

”You are very kind to adreat a favor it is”

”I would have let you in before, but I thought you irl

”We don't look ers, do we?” said Harry with a sirl smiled too She was evidently pleased with the appearance of her two visitors

”No; if I had seen you, I should have known better than to think you belonged to their band Come in and sit down by the fire”

”Thank you”

Harry and Jack seated theirl continued to eye them curiously

”I suppose you are boys,” she said

”We don't call ourselves men yet,” answered Harry

”I never saw a boy before,” was the unexpected re hostess

”WHAT!” ejaculated the two boys in concert

”I scarcely ever saw anybody,” explained the girl ”My father and I live here alone, and have lived here for years He has a flock of fifteen hundred sheep to watch and tend Sometimes another shepherd calls here, and we had a visit froers last year”

”It must be very lonely for you,” said Harry in a sympathetic tone

”Yes, it is; but I am used to it Father is away all day, but he leaves Bruno to keeptone

Bruno eyed Jack dubiously, and finally walked up to him deliberately, and allowed himself to be stroked