Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-10-11

| Sne must punlSn nm III ne uiu not.
But she never punished him. That
pug was almost as bad in the house as
a modern child would have been-not
not quite SO bad, for nothing is as bad
as the modern child. So my sister and
| used 10 tell ourselves, and try to be
thankful that we had dog instead of
child
"For," said Catharine, one day, in
confidence, and in burst of gratitude,
"a pug may be poisoned, but a little
boy or girl could not be treated in that
way.o
Not that we ever dreamed of poison
ing Ferdy.
Mr.. Heaton seemed to wish to be very
kind. He had witnessed, as | have
said my lransits by the pug. One day
he appeared in the kitchen with long
legged pair Of hunting boots in his
hand. He Said he hoped | would eX-
cuse him, but he would suggest that [
put on those boots when | went near
that confounded little beast. He said
they would give me a feeling of safety,
and he thought | would like them.
was extremely glad of them. 1t is true
it was a bother to be obliged to stop to
put on hunting boots every time
went into the front entry; but | was
paid for my trouble in the sense of
security they gave.
1t was a joy to be able to saunter
calmly by Ferdinand and to see him
slowly raise his upper lip until his dear
little teeth became visible, and he
thrust his head forward and snarled.
| knew that the leather encasing my
feet and ankles was tough, and the
knowledge gave me a security | had
not enjoyed since the advent of Ferdi-
nand.
| | had been wearing these hunting
boots on my visits to the front entry
for nearly week, when Miss Billings
had that interview with us concerning
the dogs bath. BY the time the next
day dawned | was convinced that
something onght to be done. Without
consulting my sister, | sought Miss
Billings after breakfast, and told her
that, although we could not ourselves
wash the pug, we would permit her to
have the use of the kitchen and the
kitchen sink for that purpose.
Mr.. Marks was sitting with her at
the time. He had just been reading
'Lucillen to her. When | caught sight
of this volume l recalled the remark
made by Mr.. Heaton the day before.
He said he knew young man who
every time he fell in love always Dor
rowed his sisters copy of "Lucille" to
read to his inamorata. He finished his
remark by asserting that there were
always plenty of jac1asses in the world.
Miss Billings thanked me with some
effusion, but she said she did not know
what would become of poor Ferdy, for
even though she should die she could
not wash him herself. She turned
sweetly to Mr.. Marks and explained tc
him how the pug's washing had always
been thrown in, and she had no idea
what she should do, but she hoped she
should live through it.
/ said that | hoped so, too; and ther
| left them, feeling that | had done al
| could, even for our Il.
1t was VITA considerable surprise
that | found Or. Marks in the kitchen
that afternoon, when / came down
stairs after my daily nap
He turned very red, but he managed
to say, stammering good DEAL thai
he hoped | would pardon him.
| looked at him. | could not imagine
what he wanted there, but l said
would pardon him.
He grew more red and he stammereG
worse than before, and said again h,
really trusted | would overlook it il
him. | assured him | would overlook
it. l sat down. 1t would not be tim
to begin to get supper for an hour yet
Mr.. Marks now informed me that
was very good. / did not deny this as
sertion. He appeared to struggle will
!, himself for a moment and then he re
marked that he thought he had seer
, me wearing large apron that must b
a great protection to my gown. l be
gan to he somewhat alarmed at this
for it seemed to hint at incipient mad
! ness. But | told him pleasantly that
had such an apron, and that it was
great protection. | thought of addin
! that hunting boots, worn in the from
, entry, were also very useful under eX
listing circumstances; but | did no
know but such an observation nigh
, how mad he was.
would lend him that apron.
/ eyes" | said to myself as | went 70
the article, she is mad. He may asl
| for the carving knife next, and | mus
not refuse him."
/ brought him the garment. HI
| timidly asked if would assist him t,
put it on. | did SO. | was sorry 70
I him. When he had the apron on an,
buttoned all the way up behind, b
! glanced at the door leading into tn
dining-room and inquired if 1 had an,
? objection to locking that door, for some
one might come in. / was frightened
2 but l locked the door. Mr.. Marks wa
} very slight in build and did not lool
strong. l thought that in hand t
? hand conflict, | should, perhaps, stan'
A as good chance for victory as b
would. There was another door lead
ing into the wOodshed. | CASUAL,
moved round so that | was near thi
4 means of exit. CHANGING at the door,
< was horror-struck to see that there wa
t nokey in that lock-where was tina
< key? | did not say these words aloud
s but Mr.. Marks ans vered my look.
? II have it in my pocket, !" he said.
: His whole appearance indicated sucl
t mental wretchedness, and his ginghan
e apron was so unbecoming, that / wa
tormented by conflict of emotions
: 'You see," he said DIES perately, :"
' told her I'd do it,
| stared helplessly He went on.
''She seemed so unhappy about it
1 and you did not feel as if YOU cOul,