Page:Stringer - Lonely O'Malley.djvu/108

 they caught, stewed, and ate a goodly meal of crayfish.

It was the arrival and display of a fine lot of maple-sugar that eventually overcame Annie Eliza, and prompted her ruthlessly and decisively to smash her savings-bank with a hammer. Then gathering up her seven scattered pennies, she took destiny in her own hand, and went straight to the bake-shop. Discovering Betty Doyle with her nose flattened hungrily against the window, she told her of her venturous plan.

Together they invaded the little shop, as the tiny bell above the door rang with a shrill and awe-inspiring clatter. Once across that sacred portal, they gazed about them bewildered, almost overcome by the wealth of the treasure before them.

Lonely's father, the far-famed hero of the Klondike, was busy at the bake-ovens, and to their chagrin, they caught not even a fleeting glimpse of that illustrious but self-effacing