River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-05-07

Low.
by terrible noise beyond some bushes,
and the sound of female voice evil
IDENTIFY in great distress.
To plunge through the bushes was
the work of but a moment.
On a green plot of lawn young girl
in light fluffy dress stood wringing
her hands and beating vainly with her
sunshade at a confused mass of fur,
which presently made out to be two
dogs. engaged in a canine game of fisti-
cuffs. II was all white and black fur,
rolling over and over and swapping and
biting and barking. II was from this
mass that the terrible noise aforesaid
proceeded.
understand dogs. and carry snuff.
IL Is habit | acquired in Rome, where
all artists use ii.
20. save my dear Benny" cried the
girl
Not stopping to identify Benny,
gave the pair of them the contents of
the snuff box. Benny Immediately tore
himself from his opponent and the two
animals st TO sneezing furiously.
A. soon as he would let her the girl
picked up Benny and getting some of
the snuff started in sneezing, too For
time there was a perfect chorus.
''Ka-chug ka-chug. ka-chug."
IL was 50 infectious that / also said:
'Ka-chug"
Then the girl said. very cOolly:
20. Is that you. Thank you SO much.
What fortunate thing you take snuff. -
u am one of the old school," / re-
piled. ''and carry it in order to be in
the fashion. If You would permit me
To wash Benny | will do it with pleas
ure"
We took him down to the lake be-
tween rs and washed him. never
washed a dog 50 thoroughly in my life.
YOu see began to be interested in her
and wanted as much as | could posi-
bly, get of her society. | knew when
got through washing Benny ] should
have to leave her SO / nearly drowned
the little beggar. | declared he was
positively filthy. He was really re-
markably clean dOg-but you know
love Is blind
At last he was washed Then a
bright thought struck me; he must be
dried This we -complished by sit
ting down ON the grass and rolling the
dog over between Us. ball fashion. If
he did not enjoy it. I'm sure l did.
Then the girl got up and said, very
sedately:
Il think / must go now. 1t wasn't
bad fun. was it,
l declared it was splendid; that
could wash dogs and dry them all day
with her.
/ began IL look around for a duenna
of some kind. but To my surprise no one
came. Z began to dawn upon me that
this supremacy pretty girl. with the
charming eyes. had no other protector
than Benny.
II seemed To be my part-indeed,
felt admirably fitted for it.
Wont You let me see you home?7 1
asked. You know Benny might meet
another dog"
The girl burst out laughing
That's a pretty excuse" she ex-
claimed. BESIDES you don't know wnat
a contract you'd have on your hands. 5"
'.Whv?-
because l live long way from
here. l live in Brooklyn"
That settles il" | replied. despair
ingly. Il might have known anything
very nice wasn't for me.
Very nicel Really, sir, you are
complimentary. What do you mean,
pray?"
simply that | would like like any
thing to see You home, and | can't
can't do il. stammered.
NO. of course you can't do it, on five
minutes acquaintance"
And then the will. you know, pre-
vents my doing it Under the terms of
the will. of course can't leave the
city. Why. what's the matter-let me
explain. won't yOu?'
The girl had thrown up her hands in
astonishment
ITO think that of all people it should
be you.' she said at last, slowly.
What do you mean?"
why. you're Mr.. Van Pelt, aren't
youe-
Il am
You are the gentleman who painted
the picture Of the man with the jug of
beer, who said he'd always live in New
York. How do YOU like ito
i don't like it one bit; but who are
you. and how do you come 10 know so
much about my history?''
20. l forgot. OF course you don't
knew me. I'm BESSIE Ma-ston.
What. Mr.. Marstc1 ; niece"
Yes
looked at the girl. Her gaze was
bent to thc ground. There was just a
suspicion o. moisture glistening in her
dark eyes.
And but for me and my picture YOU
would have inherited all this money!
BY Jove. its too bad. Here. I'll tell
you what III do. Miss Marston. I'm
sick of this life. anyway. ana the
money Is yours. bv right As long as
it was only a question of its going TO
that internal society I'd have stuck it
out. but now the case is different I'll
go and see the executors to-mOr-
row. Miss Marston. and surrender my
claim.
You will do nothing of the kind, :"
she said. go back to your club and
thank Heaven my uncle was what peo-
pie call a crank =
i shall thank Heaven for only one
thing" ! said There was no one in
sight | looked at her and forgot that
had only known her for an hour or
two. Il shall thank Heaven for only one
thing. and that Is ttat I've met you.
Now can restore TO you what Is really
your own Do you think l would be so
dishonest. knowing as l do that
should De defrauding you out of your
rightful dues to keep this money!"