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Show ; v Th Hungry Tear. Prowling hither and thither amonr the treat, ragged trunks, peering and sniffing snif-fing . and listening, the hear suddenly caught the sound of small ciaws on wood. The sound came, apparently, from within the trunk of a huge maple, close at band. Leaning his head to one side he listened Intently,, hla ears cocked, eager as a child listening to a 'watch. There was. Indeed, something half childish In the attitude of the huge figure, strangely belying the ferocity fe-rocity In his heart. Yes, the sound came, unmistakably, from within the trunk. Ue nosed the bark warily. There was no opening; and the bark was firm. He stole to the other side of the tre. his head craftily outstretched and reaching around far before him. The pttuatlon wag clear to him at once and the hungry muszle lammed ltelf Into In-to the entrance to a chipmunk's hole. The maple tree was dead, and partly decayed all up one side -of the trunk. His craft forgotten on the Instant, the bear snlfted and snorted and drew loud, fierce breaths, aa If he thought to suck the little furry tenant forth by Inhalation. The live, warm mell that came from the hole was do-il-clously tantalising .to his appetite. The hole, however, was barely big enough, to admit the tip of his black snout,- so he presently gave over his foolish snlfflnes and set himself to tear an entrance witn his reelstlees claws. The bark and dead wood flew In showers under his efforts, and It was evident that the chipmunk's little home would speedily lie open to the foe. But the chipmunk, meanwhile, from the crotch of a limb overhead. wa lock-In lock-In a? down In silent Indignation. Lit tie Stripe-side had been wise enough to pro-Tide pro-Tide his dwelling with a sort of skylight exit C. Q D. Roberts, in McClure's. |