THE HALFWAY HOUSE "Miss Ma'y Ellen," cried Aunt Lucy, thrusting her head in at the door, "oh, Miss Ma'y Ellen, I wish't you'd come out yer right quick.

They's two o' them prai' dogs out yer a-chasin' ouah hens agin--nasty, dirty things!" "Very well, Lucy," called out a voice in answer.

Mary Ellen arose from her seat near the window, whence she had been gazing out over the wide, flat prairie lands and at the blue, unwinking sky.

Her step was free and strong, but had no hurry of anxiety.

It was no new thing for these "prairie dogs," as Aunt Lucy persisted in calling the coyotes, to chase the chickens boldly up to the very door.