Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-07-31

no use in giving chase; the thief was
as nlmble as only thief can be; the
policeman was ponderous.
After a moment Mr.. Dornley decided
to make the best of it. Catching the
dog by the chain-not, of course. that
that was necessary with Donal-he
looked up with a laugh
"'Pon my word" he said, "that was
quick work."
"Your dog, sir?" said No. Something,
laconically.
my dog" he replied.
"Stolenp"
'Of course he was stolen. Didn't
you see the fellows face, and how he
made off when l taxed him with itP"
The policeman stared down the street
whence long ago the fugitive had dis
appeared. 1t was peculiar state of
matters; he did not quite know how to
meet it.
''Well, sir, suppose you'd best keep
him now you've got him. But if it's
all one to you, sir, I'd be obliged by
| your name ana dOOr0SS. -.
"Certainly," said Mr.. Dornley, talk
ing out his card-case. with a touch of
hauteur you'll find it in most Of
your police stations. I've been adver-
Using for this dog for the last four
months, spent no end of money, and
all the time he's been in the hands of
a noted dog-stealer; at least, the fellow
looks like it. I thought you knew that
sort by sight"
The policeman looked mysterious.
! He found it convenient to turn his at
tention to the dog.
Doesn't seem so very friendly with
| you, SIR" he said, and indeed the
collie's melancholy eyes had no bright
ening in them, even when Mr.. Dorm
ley putted his head and murmured
fondly: Il
my good old D onal -
'Poor fellow" he said aloud, che
has been so neglected and bullied that
he's lost his spirit. He'll be all right
when I get him home"
But a crowd was beginning to gath
er, and this, Don's master did not de-
sire. With a nod to the policeman,
and firmly clutching the chain, no
turned, retracing his steps to the STA
ton he had left not twenty minutes
| ago.
"Ill catch the 11:45 back,' he said
to himself. They'll all be so delight
ed, and it's best to take him straight
home. That fellow may have con-
federates."
1t was not far to the station, fortu-
nately, for the dog pulled beak a good
deal. making his new master Feel hot
and uncomfortable.
He'll make me look like a dog
stealer myself" he thoughs. Dear
me! what a few weeks ILL., usage vii.
do! Donal, who would have followed
me with a silken thread or with no
thread at all! He doesn't LOOK in such
bad condition, either. Ga, it will be
all right when he gets HON e and sees
all his old haunts again"
It was not a crowded time of cay,
and MIR. Dornley was we'll known on
the line. No difficulty was made as to
the dogs sharing his masters com
partment, but he still looked depressed
and almost sully, cro,lching in a COR
lper as if he had not friend on ea-on.
Mr.. Dornley's caresses were in vain.
Good Donal! dear old fellow!" pats
and strohings, had no effect. The col
lie was gent15 enough. Once or twice
| he tried a feeble wag of the tail, but he
was evidently strange and feeling quite
depayse. 1t was very disappointing;
and at Underbrooke station. the near
est railway point to Upperbrooke viii
lage, Mr. Dornley, who had been rath-
or looking forward to a sort of tri-
umphal reception of the truant, was on
the whole not sorry that there was no
one about save a stolid and recently
imported porter, who knew not Donal.
1t was a hot and tiresome walk home.
There was no question Of loosing the
dog and letting him follow, he had so
very little look of following" about
him. Mr.. Dornley felt both distressed
and mortified; he could have staked
his life on Donal's Intelligence and
fidelity! But still "a day Or two will
make him all right" he repeated, as he
tugged the unwilling collie into his
own stable yard.
''Simpkins, Jephson, where are you
allP'' he shouted. The yard seemed
deserted, the fact being that coach
man, grooms, gardeners, and every
body were assembled in one of the out
| houses in a state of no small excite
ment. ''Simpkins," again shouted his
master, ''come out, can't you? I've
found Donal and brought him back?"
Sinpkins emerged at last, very red
in the face, his eyes sparkling, but at
the sight Before kim he grew still red
der, and opened his mouth without
speaking.
you've found Donai, STRIP he eiacu'
lated.
ITO be sure. Don't you see him?'
'Pon my -" began the coachm an,
at a loss for a sufficiently forcib.e OK
preston. ''yes, sir. TO be sure, and I'd
I =