It was almost dusk when Parson Dan returned from his long journey,
tired and hungry.

"How is the boy?" he asked as he entered the house, after having
stabled Sweepstakes.

"He's as good as gold, Daniel," Mrs. Royal replied. "But I am worried
about Brindle. She hasn't come in yet, and I cannot see her anywhere
in the pasture."

"She's with that strange cow, no doubt, Martha, and I shall go after
her at once. It will be too dark if I wait until supper is over."

Parson Dan was absent for about an hour, and it was dark when he
returned to the rectory. He looked disappointed.

"Brindle is gone," was the news he imparted to his wife. "I found
where the fence was broken down. That strange cow must have done it,
for I never knew Brindle to do such a thing. I wonder how that cow got
in there, anyway. It is a complete mystery to me. I tried to follow
the cows through the woods, but it got so dark that I was forced to
give up the search. I must be off early in the morning or there will
be no milk for the wee lad's breakfast."

"And none for our coffee, Daniel," was his wife's reminder. "Milk will
be a very poor substitute for cream, but it will be better than
nothing."

"That's quite true, Martha. It's been a long time since we've been
without milk or cream in the house. But we can stand it better than