Arizona republican., 1891-12-29

abused the aristocracy, to which she seemed to think we both belonged, as highway robbers and assassins! In my desperation l picked up stick to com. pei Hector to obedience, but she mistool, my motive and advanced upon me in a rage. "Silence" We turned quickly. Just out of the wood came a young man in uniform, evidently an officer. The Gogs stood still an instant, and rushed forward and grasped Electors collar.
 de did not consent kindly to being led of, but the other dog had been pretty well chastised by this time. Hector felt his knightly powers had been duly es- tablished,. and he quicted down in a deterential sort of way, as if he were only consenting to it on my account. Then the market woman began to wall that her wares were spoiled and she might as well go home; but when gave her some money, and the gentleman kindly added some too, she harnessed herself and her dog again and resumed her journey. Then l turned to thank my preserver. Hector, whose collar still held, was restlessly dragging me forward, so we walked on together.
 "l am so sorry," began, that my dog should have made such trouble"
 He smiled, Happily" he said, "the damage was not irreparable."
 "l am very much obliged to you for interfering just now" l went on rather excitedly; "it gave me a chance to bring Hector away"
 "lt was courageous of you to do it." he replied. He is huge beast for you to defy"
 Well" 1 protested, "he would not hurt me. He is such noble fellow, and we are very fond of each other, Hector and l. Indeed, he has been my best friend all summer"
 He looked down on me and smiled again. "I am glad of that" he said, "for Hector is my favorite dog"
 This, then, was the count, and 1 had been claiming his property. No wonder Hector had quieted down at his voice!
 He must have readthe disappointment and modification in my face, for we had just arrived at the castle gates, and Hec- tor had bounded away into the grounds, when he raised his military cap with graceful courtesy and said: "Fraulein, we shall let Hector choose between us. If he prefers you l shall never claim him, and shall moreover admire his taste"
 He walked toward the gate while went on; but Hector rushed out past him to me and whined pathetically, then he ran back to the count and stood defiantly in his path To humor him his master came out again, and turned and faced him. Electors joy was unbounded. He jumped around us both wildly, and showed by every sign in hls power that he had no intention of "cleaving to the one and forsaking the other" It was so evident and so amusing that we both laughed heartily, which seemed to estab- fish a friendliness at once.
 "He is determined we shall not part, fraulein; will you permit us both to &C., company you home" They did so, and on the way assured the count of my in- tention to return shortly to the city, when he would probably have his favor ite's undivided affection again.
 The next morning, when l took my accustomed place out under the trees, Hector soon came trotting gayly along the bank, holding in his mouth a small object of dark blue and red cloth, which he deposited at my feet. picked it up It was a military cap! You may call it accident if you like, and say any dog will pick up a hat and carry it off, but you will see how mistaken you are. After awhile Electors tail, as he lay at my side, began to hammer the ground with grati- fled thumps, and I looked up question ingly, The count came toward us laugh ing-to get his cap, he said, but he must have forgotten his purpose, for he staid to watch me sketch, and the next day he came again, and the next.
 did not return to Dresden as soon as I had intended. Indeed, finally decided not to return at all, but to make my home in the beautiful old castle. had always been opposed to American girls marry ing foreign noblemen, and the count had had, he told me, most disappearing opinion of American girls in general; but, you see, Hector had made up his mind-yes his mind, not to spare either of us, and he is such fine fellow, we could but acquiesce in the matter.-Our Animal Friends.