South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1896-08-06

hiu rttc OttOuit. l0Qee0
nat we never alluded to the dog,
rowth; he was fed-and how he did
at'-he was watered. to the extent OF
several gallons a day, he was housed
4 night-in kennel. alas! for he
'corned the larger basket that had
cen quietly provIded--but no one ever
poke OF his size.
AS the months rolled on. the sinyu-
ar happiness OF Dimple's name be-
anne positively embarrassing. for
hough aunty and | could have laughed
jver IL, and made IL a perfect god
send In the way OF spur TO langush-
ng conversation. Eugenia. feeling that
The had been duped. regarded ii as so
,een n modification that we avoided
he subject with terror.
What has become OF your pretty
title puppy, Miss Eugenia ?'' asked
ne unwary swain. and. as IL In ans
wer. the door was pushed open and
N stalked a great, leah. long -legged,
5ig-bodied, solemn dog. wagging his
tail slowly. He walked up to Eugenia.
laid his head on her knee. then turned
md winkcd ut the questioner oh.
yes, ne did, he winked deliberately.
hen raised one huge paw and put II
Town on Eugenia's shoulder with an
aid OF patronizing proprietorship that
vas positively maddening. 1t was too
much for my cousin; she fed precipi-
lately. but not in time to avoid the
astonishing exclamation
you don't mean to say that-mon-
ster-is Dimpier'
That moment settled Eugenias fate
The masculine nature had asserted
Itself. and Dimpie-that absurd namel
had practically said; mildly. but firm
~; Come, Eugenia. have had enough
OF this nonsense. You bought me.
you took. me. for better. for worse; R
YOU meant to have n plaything and
have found n master. so much the bet
tel -or worse-for you. One thing you
MAJ understand. do not mean to be
ignored any longer" And lie wasn't;
from that public claiming of her inten-
ton dated her subjugation.
Eugenia would shut herself up in her
room 10 study. Dmple would come
to the door and knock with his tail;
Eugenia would take no notice of him.
Then Dimple would scratch. not gen
tie. pleading little scratch but deep.
determined gouging OF aunty's pretty
Woodwork. Then Dimple would howl.
such a howl-lohg and loud AMI oft
repeated and Eugenia would fly to let
him in. Il tragic expression in her pref
~. despairing face.
After week of these proceedings.
on one or the daily walks. on which
her Ennnar rnnInntc1 81.
whip. which she struggled home.
hid among her laces and produced next
morning when her door was being torn
to pieoes. From my room | saw her
plunge desperately out, seize the dogs
collar and lift the whip. but it never
descended. Dimple lifted his head
caught the weapon in his powerful
Jaws, closed them upon il. dropped the
pieces TO the ground. smiled indul-
gently up into Eugenia's face. took her
dress in his teeth and led her down
stairs to make ready for walk-which
they took
When Dan came home from Europe.
aunty and ! met HIM ut the steamer.
and on the way home we told him the
story OF Eugenia's fall How she had
been obliged TO give up her college
work-to the grea Improvement of her
health and temper-how she had
grown brown and rosy from long. aim
less walks with her guide. philosopher
and friend How we had sold him.
sent him off to board, given him away,
and how. after each Punishment, he re-
turned so promptly and unfailingly
that Eugenia had accepted the inevita-
bile and begged us not TO interfere
again between them. Dan laughed
till there were tears In his eyes. and ex
claimed. Poor little giri~ more than
once: but he readily promised that he
would not tense Eugenia about her Old
Man OF the Sea, as he at once dubbed
the dog
Dan and Dlmple were friends at
once. When the dog first appeared.
Eugenia paled and flushed and paled
again. glancing rather apprehensively
at my brother; but he seemed quite
oblivious. spoke cheerily To- the big
fellow. patted his head. looked deep
into the intelligent brown eyes. and
man and beast understood each other
perfectly. Such good times as we
had that summeF-aunty. Eugenia.
Dimple, Dan and !, In previous years
we had been Obliged 10 count my corsin
ont OF everything. for the resting time
OF summer had for her been full Of
work; but now she Iounged and played
aud joined IN all sports. as she never
had before In all her sweet, self-wiiled
young life. was among rs. and OF us.
for the first time
There had been tlree lays Of steady
rain and tired OF scclusiOn; on the ar
terncAa Of the third day. / wrapped
myself in my macintosh and went ont
FOR walk. leaving Eugenia housed
with a slight cold. 10 look after Dan.
aunty having gone into town for the
day. As ! came home. the sun broke
through scattering clouds lighting up
the world with rosy glory. The storm
was At IN end. the fair promise OF the
morrow was IN the soft air IN the twit.
ter OF the birds. ia the fresh perfume.
OF leaf and flower. IN the golden beau
" Of sunset.
Eugenia and Dan had come ont Of
doors TO enjoy the lovliuess or earth
and sky. and stood with Dimplc on The
veranda. Suddenly the dog stretched
himself to twice bis natural length.
took my Cousins skirt in his teeth and
nodded to her that she was to come
with him.
mo. Dimple. no dear" she c0axed.