New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-10


become acquainted with Abby Ann Capen
"Oh. Mr.. Manning" cried Abby Ann IN 10"
tone: and the color rose again over her race;
Fact said the man. Il tell you; you do n.
know what tbs when a man actually sees the
only woman no has ever cared for
Naturally Abby Ann did not know; so she SAID
nothing buy her face was 50 lovely at me mo-
ment that Mr. Manning rose and was about to
place his chair near that OF his companion ne
had forgotten the bull-terrier VINO was lying
With his head extended and resting between his
paws.
Ben gtnned end the Iampght fell upon his
shining teeth and his raised upper lip. lie
growled also.
Mr. Manning retrrated. but he controlled HIM
self to such degree that he was able to ex-
claim playfuly:
Good dosse: I amt goin' to harm your
mistress. love her. too"
Ben did not Immediately lower his lip. Posi-
bly, he was attempting to make IL known that ne
also had now met the only woman he mad ever
loved.
Mr. Manning tried various topics OF converse
ton. but he did not feel his usual ease. and he
resented the way In which his betrothed would
put her hand on the doc head.
The gentleman got upon his feet TO 30 AT
much earlier hour than Usual
Abby Ann rose to accompany him 10 the door.
and Ben rose also. whining somewhat as his
hurts throbbed with pain.
lie kept close to his new friend consequently
there very formal farewell between The
lovers.
Mrs Capsn. who was sitting nodding over the
kitchen stove heard this departure and reused
herselt
your beau's In a hurry. amt he?" she asked.
as her daughter came into the room. 81 hope he
amt got another girl anywhere. rs astonishing
what the women find In that man"
The terrier stood I'm the middle OF the kitchen
aoor looking al the two az the elder woman
ch,lckled over her own words
He manifested such a decided inclination 10 go
mp the stairs with his new mistress that she LEI
him 60, and he lay on a mat all nignt DS neT
bed
This was the beginning Of Bens devotion TO
bad hoF
any caressng kindness. A. any rate. he was so
grateful and loving that Abby Ann DID not
have the heart TO depriv@ him or her society;
and indeed in two three weeks she would
have missed him much az he woulc nave
missed her.
dressed his wounds. and he was even more over
wheImed with repentance on those OCCASIONS
when he did snap.
II seemed AZ II he knew that she had saved
him from being knocked in the head Al any
rate he was profoundly aware ~ her kindness
and gent,eness. and h. hao evidently never be-
for" been accustomed 20 human intimacy thoush
he had been well fed
And dogs Iau2 Intimacy with huVa" oslhsN
with a pa hetic Intensity.
Abby Ann liked to feel Ben's warm body lying
at her feet she liked TO have him tracking me-
everywhere she went. indoors and out: she l!k"d
to meet the stead'ast gaze Of his hazel Eyes
Bal Ben id not approve o: Mr. James Man
trsvagant liking 'or him. and brought him bones
and other preparatory offerings. Ben took the
bones and zrowled at the giver ~ them
..rirst-rate dog" said NJ Manning. contem-
plating hm from the end of the room. PIE
aided with unc lion; II Tx" him cause he likes
you. ABBY Ann"
and Ben maintained the same attitude toward
each other and their mutual friend grew NOR
and more fond % the terrier. She expected ~
marry NJ. Manning In September. and she was
making tab,eclo;hs in the very presence o' Ben.
who would have tom the linen into shreds had
he known what II vas.
Mrs Cspen in the habit - saying that
that there dog'd be pzsnSd fore he'd been a
month on the Burnt River Road. or she'd miss
her guess
T. these remarks Ab5y Ann answered nothing.
bat II Ben were within her roach. as he usually
was sne would pat roy hand on him and Nc
would turn MS head and lex her wrist
one .Y"ning Il was getting 10 he nearly :
o'clock and Mr Manning had not come. although
this was his night"
Mrs Capen was knitting and ABBY Ann was
hHmm.ng q tao.ecloth Ben was out for his
evening eye-c.se
Mrs. Capen had Jus, remarked tina. 'twa'nt
human natur' for Jim Manning to Ike that dos
though he did pretend TO-" when. close To IN"
outer door. ther. was heard a groWl shout,
and then scuNie
Both women rr.hed-tne younger one was the
first 10 srrive-and TO fling open tho door.
There wa. Mr.. Manning. not literally fcaming
~ the mouth bu, giving that impression 10 the
behoder: and he asheu In color. And there
Pen with Arm hold on the mans Hs. or
"a her on the thick cloth or his trousers
on what's the matter" cried Abby Ann.
You ies, take ~ that darn l.ttle cuss Of
dog: shouted Mr. Manning In voice which was
not in the east soft
"Graclous. cried Mrs. Cap"n ntte IN IN"
background.
ben. VIVA, do You mean: Come here. sir.
Come here this minute cried his mistress.
Tn. dog did not Immediately obey. We could
not toll her that In tho dusk 90 the yard her lover
had opened hos,i'ities by kicking at him.
Take the c's. ON again shouted Mr.. Man
nirg: ana again In the background Mrs. Capen. +,
now with a twinkle IN her eye cried. GRACIOUS
Abby Ann approached still nearer and took hold
-. Ben's collar whereupon Ben loosened his te"th
and Immediately placed himself By tho side Of hls
mistress. looking up al her and wagglns his tail ,
as n TO explain matters
Won't you come in. Mr.. Naming" now IN !
CURED Abby Ann.
The person thus Addressed was frying II smooth |
MS rufted plumage. lie said he was in kind ~
a hurry now. but he'd call tn" next afternoon !
And no disappeared rather abruptly into the !
darkness
Mrs Capen took this occasion II call Ben
good dogS.s" and she went 10 the pantry and !
brought +, couple " doughnuts. which she fed 10 |
the terrier as II she were rewarding him for some
thing
ma X.
Mr. Manning came early the following after !
noon Mr.. Capen. before she retired from the |
room noticed that 'hcir visitor wore new pair /
~ trousers.
Much to the gentleman. surprise IT was Abby .
Ann who spoke hrst.
She said she was sorry that Mr.. Manning didn't ,
Ike Ben.
'''Tan't that" retorted the other. THAT darn !
I mean that dorg don't like me. I've been think /
In that you'd better make way with him fore !
XII married. 'Tan't safe 10 have such a cr.;ter .
round
ABBY Ann drew herself up Ben. at her feet. /
raised his head and looked ~ her
II guess we Won't talk that subject sh. !
said I'm goin to keep my dog
BE you"' Mr.. Manning stood up. Then I |
must say that our engagemen is broke" he said !
Abby Ann ros. and Ben rose.
An right" said Abby Ann. Let IT he broke.
then ia :uther have my dog than a man l.k, !
YOU. any time. Perhaps 'twOuld he we'll FOR alt |
concerned If You went away now, Mr.. Manning. |
Ben. he's beginning to grow N mebby cane |
pull him on another time"
Here Abby Ann laughed
Lar thalr