"Yes, you do. You know there isn't any one that I care for one-tenth part as much as I care for you. I didn't go up the lake this afternoon because I particularly wanted to; and those people came here of their own accord."
"Yes, Dave——"
"And I don't want you to act so cold, Jessie. Why, it cuts a fellow to the heart! If I thought——"
A wild yell, followed by several screams of terror from outside, interrupted the conversation. Dave stopped short to listen, and Jessie threw wide-open the door to do likewise. Another yell rang out, fierce and penetrating, and then came several more screams, and a rush of footsteps.
"Oh, Dave! what can it mean?" cried Jessie, in sudden alarm.
"I don't know. I guess I had better find out," he returned, and ran toward the front doorway.
"Be careful, Dave! be careful!" cautioned the girl, pleadingly. "Maybe it's a bear!"
"In that case I'd better get one of the guns," he returned.
The party had brought a number of firearms with them, and several of the pieces were hung up on the walls, loaded and ready for use. Catching up a double-barreled shotgun, Dave ran outside with Jessie at his heels. The commotion had continued, and now the youth found himself confronted by his sister and Belle.
"What is it, Laura?"