The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-09-25

returned 30 promptly anu unlalnngy Unau
Eugenia had accepted the inevitable and
begged us not TO Interfere again between
them. Dan laughed till there were tears i'll
his eyes and exclaimed, Poor little girlr'
more than once; but he readily promised
that nc would not tease Eugenia about her
Old Man of the Sea, as he ut once dubbed
the dog.
Dan and Dimplc were friends at once.
When the dog first appeared, Eugenia paled
aid flushed and palud again, CHANGING
rather apprchensively ut my brother But
he seemed quite oblivious, spoke chcerily 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 summer,
aunty, Eugenia, Dimple, Dan and L! In
previous years we had been Obliged to count
my cousin out of everything, for the rest
ing time of summer had for her been full
of work, but now she loungcd and played
and Joined in all sports, as she never had
before in all her sweet, self willcd young
| life; was among us and Of us, for the first
time.
There had been three days of steady rain,
and tired of sccluSion, on the afternoon of
the third day l wrapped myself In my
macintosh and went out for walk, leav-
| ing Eugenia, housed with u slight cold, to
look after Dan, aunty having gone into
| town for the day. As l came home the
sun broke through scattering clouds, light
| ing up the world with rosy glory. The
| storm was at au end. The fair promise OF
| the morrow was in the soft mir, in the twit-
ter of the birds, in the fresh perfume OF
| leaf and flower, in the golden beauty OF
| sunset.
Eugenia and Dan had come out of doors
| to enjoy the loneliness of earth and sky and
stood with Dimple on the Teranda. Sud
denly the dog stretched himself to twice
his natural length, took my Cousins skirt
| in his teeth and nodded to her that she
was to come with him.
mo, Dimplc; no, dear, she coaxed,
bending over him. Don't make me come
tonight. I've had IL cold, you know.
really ought not to go. You will have to
wait, doggie, dear. But doggie dear did
not intend to wait. he shook his head and
her dress and growled softly. walked
slowly toward the house and watched the
conflict. Dimple ordering, Eugenia plead
! ing for mercy, my brother smiling at the
two beneath his mustache. At last Dan
spoke.
"Dimplo?' The dog raised his eyes, but
kept the skirt between his teeth. LET
that go. Do you hear me, sir" Then as
| Eugenia put her hand out quickly: mo, ]
am not going to hurt him. He will under.
stand in a moment He has plenty OF
sense Your mistress Is not going with
| you, Dimple. She is not going now or at
any other time with you or any one else,
unless 1 give her permission She is going
to be my slave now. Old dog, you've had
your day
Eugenia had lifted an astonished, star
tied glance to his faco us he spoke, but
dropped her head low over the dog as he
went on without break or pause:
"She loves you very much, Dimple. We
all do. You have trained her we'll, and we
are all very much Obliged to you, but you
needn't worry yourself about her any more
I'll take the engagement. You don't be-
licye me, sir? See here" And right there
| in the face Of me and all the world-if Ii
had been there to see; nursic always said
| he was "a bold one" when we were chill
dren-Dan drew my cousin to him and
lifted and kissed her sweet blushing face
There was u long pause. Then Dimple
loosened the skirt, rose to his feet, and
with IL reproachful glance at Eugenia and
submissive wag of his tail toward Dan
walked slowly away, while Dan led Ell.
| genia into the house.
| "Oh, dear" she murmured, her bright
face lovely with bushes. From one slaY,
cry to another. Am l never to be free
| again!"
"Neverr' calmly answered my brother.
New York Tribune.