Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-07-23

possession knew it TO be-"
''Your advice accords with my own
opinion" said the doctor, land shall
act on it tomorrow afternoon"
The next afternoon he drove over
to IrvingtOn again, and, leaving his
horse at his friends, he walked up to
BeIlaire.
He asked the footman who answered
his ring if Mr.. Masters was in, and
receiving a reply in the affirmative, he
said:
please take him my card and say 1
shall detain him only a few minutes"
He was ushered into the reception
room, and within a few minutes a
rugged, gray haired man put in an ap-
pearance and announced himself as
"Mr. Masters"
Il come on a delicate errand, Mr..
Masters" said the doctor, with the
feeling of a man eager to be soon
through with an unpleasant duty
About two months ago l lost q valu-
able St Bernard, which 1 brought
home with me on my return from
Europe last fall Yesterday, in passing
your place, was very sure 1 saw the
animal, and I reasoned that, if you
owned him, you must have obtained
him from some person who did not"
There is certainly such dog as you
speak of here" said Mr. Masters, but
he was given to my daughter, who is
much attached to the splendid creature,
by young gentleman from Fair View,
who is frequent visitor here
Then the old gentleman rose and
went hurriedly out, returning in a
short time with the young lady, who
seemed to the doctor even more beauti-
full than when he had seen her on the
street
Mr.. Masters introduced the doctor to
his daughter, and Immediately told the
object of his visit.
THE dog could not have been
stolen" said the blushing girl; ''for Mr..
Harry Collins gave him to me, and said
he had himself imported him for that
purpose"
The doctor knew that Harry Collins
was worthless scapegrace and his own
lifelong enemy.
1T is quite possible that have been
mistaken" said the doctor, somewhat
confused, but now more sure of his
ground than ever, for Collins was his
next neighbor; "but if you will kindly
let me see the dog, L can tell"
Laura went into the hall, and, in re-
spouse to her musical call the splendid
creature came bounding in and began
to fawn upon her, and to lick her dainty
hands
But in an instant he became aware of
another presence.
REX" said the doctor.
With a bark of joy the noble brute
rushed at his master, and, putting both
paws on his shoulder, began to lick his
face as if crazed with delight.
Then, when he had satisfied Mr. Mas
tiers and his daughter that he had found
his rightful master, he ran first to one
and then to the other of them, as if
eager to show that they held second
place in his canine heart.
"You are certainly right, Dr. Mans
field" said the old gentleman, the
dog is yours, and cannot retain him"
On hearing this, tears filed Laura's
beautiful eyes, and she turned away to
hide her grief.
The doctor saw her emotion, and with
n gallant bow, he said:
Pardon me, Miss Masters, but Rex
seems happy here. The fear that the
fine fellow had fallen into unkind
hands annoyed me, but now that l
know he will be well caredfor, 1 beg you
to accept him with my compliments"
ITO make long story short" as the
old-fashioned story tellers have it, Lau-
ra Masters, with her fathers consent,
became the undisputed owner of Rex.
When the doctor left that evening,
Mr.. Masters gave him pressing invi-
tation to call again, ''to see us as we'll
rs the dog" he said. in conclusion.
From that day on Harry Collins never
visited Bellaire, and as soon as it be-
came known that he had presented to a
young lady dog stolen by himself he
fed the country.
The doctor accepted the invitation,
but, though he felt grateful to Rex for
having been the means, we may be
sure that he was not the attraction.
A year after Edgar Mansfeld's first
visit to Bellcirc, Laura Masters be-
came HIS wife. And the old gentleman
said, when the marriage ceremony was
over:
1.-THE dog did it, and shall get him a
collar of gold. Saturday Night.