The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-04-12
ge dahita 1a Eagle: cdleduesaau 7ouiu april Il, 1888

anything to remind me that we had not
been boys together. instead of girl and
boy
The one step from the sublime to the
ridiculous Is a short one in nv neigh
borhood, and we had taken it in a turn
round the corner from the stately ter
raced street where was my home. The
bsurd little boxes in which the people
here were housed might be an improve
ment on the great tenements of other
cities, but TO take them seriously as
homes was rather difficult THAT one
yonder is q mere ceranium pot" said
|, nodding with gesture tow arts
tiny red bow-window filed with those
great red and green plants
OF course. there vas "dreS> making"
on the modest piacard on the door; and.
equally of course, there WIS the
6ressmaler's sluall. pale face at the
window. whore the fond round
lunches of blossoms seemed to have
drained all life and color from her.
1T is a case OF EappacciuIs daughter
reversed" said I. Instead of giving
her their bloom the flowers have taken
all hers TO themselves / never see
big, coarse, hcdge-row like that one
without knowing there is fading lily
of a woman behind it stitching aud
stitching her heart out Can not you
make an excuse, DR.. Hugh? Mistake
the house, or something, and let us
knock and see if my faded lily won't
come out?''
Just then the door opened; the dress
maker was letting out a customer.
Who or what that was i never needed.
for from where we stood over the way
my dog dashed across. up the low
steps, and was fawning on the little
woman III transport of JOY.
She did not stoop to meet those eager
caresses; those sharp little canine cries
Of delighted recognition had no re-
Spouse. Only, as we came up, she made
a hurried, cropping movement for the
handle of the door as if she would have
shut it in our faces Hugh was too
quick for her. He stepped in across the
threshold, where she stood leaning
paw anu WV p" oAi-
''We owe it to ourselves" he said.
Ito make some explanation. Of course,
the dog is yours"
She made hasty motion Of disclaim-
err; but Hugh went on:
''Of course, the dog is yours; we have
had him so long in our keeping because
he was found one night last winter. and
this lady kindly let him come indoors
with her out of the bitter weather.
But we have no idea of keeping tn"
little fellow from you, unless, indeed,
you would care 30 part with him"
This last tentatively, for it hal not e.
capped Hugh any more than 1t had me
that as between dog and mistress the
affection was certainly all on one side.
The little woman-girl she was rather
had retreated, sinking down on the
steep box-stairs that almost filled up
the entry. The dog did not feel him
self repulsed, as we did; but fell, dog
fashion, to kissing the worn hands
with which she covered her face. 1t
was in that same instant that we heard
child's cry She let her hands fall to-
gether, the wedding ring flashed out
on the worn finger, and then, for the
first time noticing me, with a swift
sign she led the way into the back
room.
The baby was just waking in his
cradle She turned her white face
round on us in the doorway, as she
dropped down on her knees beside him.
The dog went shifting about the cradle,
round and round as if he could not un-
derstand. then stood irresolute, his
brown eyes flashing inquiry from the
woman to me.
For the child's sake" she said.
For the child's sake
She caught her breath in fright
ened gasping way that brought the
doctor 10 the fore.
Steady" he said, gently. 1--WE are
can be done fer you
She pointed to the dog only take
Dash away. Leave US two alone"
At the sound of his name the dog
glanced round at her. but at her vehe-
ment repellent gesture he crept nearer
to me, his tail between his legs
Poor DASH My poor. poor Art
full Dodgerr' I whispered. STOPPING
TO pat him. But Hugh was looking at
the woman attentively. ~ beg your
pardon, but think have seen you be-
fore" he said.
She threw up her hands with sharp
cry: II knew it knew that dog
would ruin me-
Then you tried to lose him to get
rid Of hin1?"
She made Hugh no answer. only
looked at him half fearfully, half def
antly.
Come. Kitty" he said to me. since
The dogs owner is willing TO part with
him we viii take him home with US"
He laid couple of bills on the sewing
machine as he spoke, disregardIng her
gesture Of refusal Otherwise we
shall not feel that we have right to
keep the dog" he said And we will
keep him; he shall never annoy you
again, believe me" He bowed TO her
respectfully as we three went out
closing the door behind us, for she
never moved from her knees beside the
cradle.
Of course | asked Hugh what Il all
meant the moment We were out Of ear
shot. and am afraid ! was not in q
very amiablc mood during the walk
home, because he would not answer.
The next day, however, he tod me;
for the next day he went hack 70 the
flower 20, Of house and found the it
tie dressrnaker mad lost herself TO Dash
again
And ! had been hoping voc wculd
be here making Jour gowns, kittJ,