Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-11-16

You are accustomed to my appearance and
10 lot really see me as 1 am. Sit down
and let us talk. 1 ought to dress better.
One of these days l will go to Hill, the
fashionable Lord street tailor. will have
my hair and beard trimmed, too and then
shall look good deal younger"
You want to be young, doctorP" She
asked this question with smile which
led me to understand that she had guessed
my thoughts.
Yes" 1 replied, signing; IT do not
want to get any older, if possible"
Some time after this conversation a
radical change took place in my appear
ance, and l really think that looked 10
years younger. Having received word from
Marie, saying that she was coming home,
l started out to meet her, followed by
faithful Pierre. We had only been on the
wharf few minutes when the boat came
alongside. After cordial greetings Nine.
DerVille exclaimed: well, doctor, you
certainly have not suffered from our alb
sence, How well you look"
AS she spoke 1 felt myself getting
young again. Jean kissed me most affeo-
tionately, while Toby overwhelmed me
with his attentions.
That evening dined at Nine. Derville's,
and to see us all assem- bled around that
table as in the past filed my heart with a
very sweet Joy.
Weeks went by happily and peacefully,
but one day New Brighton was filled with
great terror by the appearance of a mad
dog. No one had been able to kill the ami
NAL, and though it disappeared from view
no one knew whether it were still alive or
not.
Mothers and nurses increased their Wig
lance In short, there was general panic,
but with two or three days, nothing more
being heard from the dog, people ceased
to fear.
Nine. Derville, feeling treasured, decid-
ed to cross to Liverpool, in order to pur-
chase some things she needed, requesting
me before she started to watch over Jean
during her absence. 1 gladly consented.
Returning from my morning calls, re-
tired to my study, and picking up the pa
per began to read. From my open win
dow 1 could watch Jean playing on my
lawn with Toby The gate was ajar Be-
ing deeply interested in my paper, did
not notice the entrance of dog, but hur-
ried footsteps and the sound of voices
caused me to look up. At glance I'M
derstood the horror of the situation. /
hurried out through the open window, and
running to Jean 1 snatched him up in my
arms, while man, carrying gun, cried
out: Take care little man. Do not go near
the dog. He is mad"
Toby, seeming to understand that there
was something the matter with the dog
and doubtless wanting to protect Jean,
had thrown himself on the animal with
fury and seized him by the throat before
we could prevent it. Yes, fully believe
that the faithful Toby resolved to save his
young master at any price.
For a few seconds terrible struggle
took place. Jean watched 1t, while big
tears ran down his cheeks. If had not
held him, 1 believe that he would have
tried to separate the animals The man
who carried the gun fired, and the dogs
rolled to the ground. The strange dog
was dead, but poor Toby struggled to get
up two or three times. Holding Jean
back, l approached Toby, whose express
i've eyes were fixed lovingly on his young
master. Just then Nine Derville and the
governess arrived. Marie, seeing my lawn
filled with people, rushed up, very much
frightened, and on catching sight of Toby,
covered with blood and expiring she ex-
claimed: MY son Jean, where is he?
Where is he? Was he bittenS'
Here he lie, safe," said, but she did
not hear me. Filled with terrible fear,
she held her child with one hand, while
with the her she felt his clothing The
boy, terrified by the scene, sobbed, unable
to say word.
Speak, Jean, speak," she repeated ex-
citedly. Jean could only sob convulsively
'Marie'--in my excitement called her
by her first name-"M Marie, give you my
word that the child was not hurt. Jean
is safe. Do you think that if it were 9TH
erwise would be standing here doing
nothing for himG"
These words brought her to herself, and
falling in a chair she began to cry. Her
sons caresses helped her to recover. She
rose to her feet and went toward Toby
The poor animal, hearing her voice, made
an effort to rise. Then, turning his eyes
to Jean with pitiful expression, he sighed
and fell to the ground. All was over
Pierre buried Toby by my garden wall.
A small marble slab with his name shows
where he lies.
How we ala missed the poor ANIMAL
Jean felt so badly that we had to do all in
our power to cheer him up.
Now that 1 have finished Toby's story,
shall 1 finish mine? Well, DIR. Cutler
married Nine. Derville, although I never
knew exactly how he had the courage to
propose. Translated For Romance.