St. Landry democrat., 1891-12-12

Hector; she abused me; she abused the
aristocracy to which she seemed to think
we both belonged, as highway robbers
and assassns! In my desperation |
picked up stick to compel Hector to
obedience, but she mistook my motive
and advanced upon me in q rage.
Silence !" We turned quickly. just
out of the wood came young man in
uniform, evidently an officer. The dogs
stood still an instant, and | rushed for
ward and grasped Hector's collar.
He did not consent kindly to being
led off, but the other dog had been pretty
we'll chastised by this time. Hector felt
his knightly powers had been duly estab-
lished, and he quoted down in defertn-
tial sort Of way, as if he were only co..
sentng to it on my account. Then the
markct-woman began to wall that .I"r
wares were spoiled and she might as we'll
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 | turned to thank my preserver.
Hector, whose collar | still held, was
restlessly dragging me forward, SO we
walked on together.
"I'm so sorry" began, "that my dog
should have made such trouble"
He smiled. "Happily,' he said, "the
damage was not irreparable.'
Il am very much obliged to you for
interfering just now" went on, rather
excitedly; "it gave me chance to bring
Hector away
at was courageous Of you to do it, "
he replied "He is huge beast for you
to defy"
"Well," I protested, che would not
hurt me. He is such noble fellow, and
we are very fond Of each other, Hector
and I. Indeed he has been my best
friend all summer"
He looked down on me and smiled
again. II am glad of that" he said,
"for Hector is my favorite dog"
This, then, was the count, and l had
been claiming his property. No wonder
Hector had quoted down at his voice!
He must have read the 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, | shall never claim
him, and shall moreover admire his
taste"
He walked toward the gate while l
went on; but Hector rushed Out past him
to me and wnined pathetically, then he
ran back to the count and stood defantly
in his path. To humor him his master
came out again, and turned and faced
him. Hector's joy was unbounded. He
jumped around us both wildly, and
showed by every sign in his power that
he had no intention Of 'cleaving to the
one and forsaking the other 1t was so
evident and so amusing that we both
laughed heartily, which seemed to estab-
lish friendlness at once.
He is determined we shall not part,
fraulein; will you permit us both to &C
you home?' They did so, and
on the way assured the count of my in
tention to return shortly to the city, when
liz "oulu plopdbiS ulNt HIS 1dfoltlC . /
affection again.
The next morning, when took my ac- !
customed place out under the trees, Hec-
tor soon came trotting gayly along the .
bank, holding in his mouth a small object !
Of dark blue and red cloth, which he de-
posted at my feet. Ipicked it up. 1t |
was military cap! You may call it ac
cident if you like, and say any dog will /
pick up hat and carry it off, but you
will see how mistaken you are. After a
while Hector's tail, as he lay at my side,
began to hammer the ground with graf
fled thumps, and l looked up question
ngly. The count came toward us
get his cap, he said, but he
must have forgotten his purpose, for he
stayed to watch me sketch, and the next
lay he came again, and the next.
| did not return to Dresden as soon as
[ had intended. Indeed, finally decided
lot to return at all, but to make my home
n the beautiful old castle. l had always
,een opposed to American girls marrying
foreign uoblemen, and the count had
lad, he told me, most disappearing
opinion Of American girls in general;
,ut, you see, Hector had made up his
nind-yes, his mi11d not to spare either
# us, and he is such a fine fellow, we
Gould but acquiesce in the matter.-lOur
Animal Friends.