The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1893-03-24


gayly. II wouldn't advise Won 70: evil
communications corrupt good manners,
10 quote still another proverb; and my
Artfnl Dodger may teach me rs much
MS ! have failed in teaching him, poor
boyr'
AT that rate. it is as we'll am TAX
ing you both TO poor quarter Of the
city" said Hugh. And indeed l felt
that the dog might help to cheer the
little crippled lad he was taking me
TO see.
II was not the first time DR.. Hugh
had carried me OFF to see some patient
OF ms. Elizabeth had a malicious
way OF limiting that he had me on pro-
baton AS model Doctors wife. But
Cousin Hugh and had been comrades
ever since ! could remember; and
when ! was out of reach of Eliza
betb's sharp tongue there was seldom
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 short one in my neigh
borhood, and we had taken It in turn
round the corner from the stately ter
raced street where was my home The
absurd little boxes in which the people
here were housed might be nm improve
ment on the great tencments Of other
cities, but to take them seriously as
homes was rather difficult That one
yonder is mere gcranium pot" said
!, holding with gesture towards a
tiny red bow-window filed with those
great red and green plants.
VI course. there was "drcssmakinp"
on the modest placard on the door; and,
equally of course, there was the
drcssmaker's small, pale face ut the
window, where the ford round
punches of blossoms seemed to have
drained all life and color from her.
1T is case of Rappaccin,s daughter
reversed" said /. Instead of giving
her their bloom the flowers have taken
all hers 70 themselves. | never see
big, coarse, hcdge-row like that one
without knowing there is "a fading lily
OF woman behind it stitching and
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 | never needed.
Tor from where we stood over the way
my dog dashed across. up the low
steps, and was fawning on the little
woman in transport Of JOY.
She did not stoop To meet those eager |
caresscs; those sharp little canine cries |
OF delighted recognition had no re-
sponse- Only, as we came up. she made |
a hurried, cropping movement for the |
handle OF the door as il she would have
shut it in our faces. Hugh was too
quick for her. lie stepped in across the
threshold. where she stood leaning
pale and quivcring against the wall.
I'VE owe it to ourselves" he said.
to 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 the
little fellow from you. unless, indeed.
rou would care to part with him"
This last tentatively. for it had not es-
.aped Hugh any more than it had me
hat 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
'tcep box-stairs that almost filed up
he entry. The dog did not feel him
elf repulsed. as we did; but fell. dog
ashton. To kissing the worn hands
With which she covered her face Ii
vas in that same instant that we heard
child's cry. She LET her hands fall to-
ether, the wedding ring flashed out
N the worn finger. and then, for the
rst time noticing me, with swift
ign she led the way into the back
Dom.
The baby was just waking in his
radle. She turned her white face
ound on MS in the doorway. as she
ropped down on her knees beside him.
he dog went smiling about the cradle,
ound and round as il he could not un-
erstand, then stood irresolute, his y
rown eyes flashing inquiry from the
conan to me.
'For the child's sake she said.
For the childs sake
She caught her breath in alright
ned gasping way that brought the =
octor to the fore. }
STEADY" he said, gently. 1--WE are :
OF here to hurt you but to see what
an be done fer YOU"
She pointed to the dog. 'Only take
ash away. Leave MS two alone"
At the sound Of his name the dog
lanced round Mt her. but at her vehe- !,
tent repellent gesture he crept nearer I
me. his tail between his legs
poor Dash. My poor. poor Art :
IL Dodger" ! whispered. STOPPING !,
} pat him. But Hugh was looking at !,
re woman yattcntively. IL beg yonr !.
ardon. but think have seen you ie- :.
're," he said. !;
She threw up her hands with sharp n
y: II knew it. ! knew that dog h
ould ruin mc!' ~