Connecticut western news., 1892-02-18
- CANAAN, CONN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY

tabliShed. and he Quieted down in a deferential 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 turned to thank my preserver. Hector, whose collar still held, was restlessly dragging me forward. so we walked on together.
 "l am 80 sorry" began. that my dog should have made such trouble"
 He smiled. Happily" he said. "the damage was not irreparahle."
 Fl am very much obliged to you fol interfering just now" went on rather excltedly: it gave me chance to bring Hector away"
 "1t 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 tTleuu HI SumIueT.
 He looked down on me and smiled again. Il am glad of that" he said flor Hector is my favorite dog"
 This. then. was the count, and had been claiming his property. No wonder Hector had quieted 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 bount.e 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 whined pathetically, then he ran back to the count and stood defiantly in his path To humor him hls 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 friendliness at once.
 "He is determined we shall not part fraulein: will you permit us both to ac- company you hone?' 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 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. 1t was a military cap! You may call it accident if you like, and say any dog will pick up hat and carry it of, 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 lied thumps. and l 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 had intended. Indeed, finally decided not to return atall, but to make my home a the beautiful old castle. had always .'een opposed to American girls marry ing foreign noblemen. and the count had nad, he told me, most disappearing opinion of American girls in general: put, you see, Hector had made up his inind-yes his mind, not to spare either ,f us. and he is such q fine fellow. we could but acquiesce in the natter.-Our Animal Friends