Catoctin clarion., 1897-02-11

knowledge that all we said was true.
Isn't he handsome? And he proves him
,elf clever to have found his way here,
and Sylvia looked up at Jack with
large, wide open blue eyes,
"You and my aunt will both be glad
TO hear that / have been completely
taken in," said Jack, laughing. be
was go delighted to find that Mr.. Wicks
twas not man that he felt pleased with
lverybody and everything. "And,' - he
continued, Il think Mr.. wicks is per-
fectly beautiful. I"
"There, do you hear that, Mr.. Wicks?"
said Sylvia.
Mr.. Wicks evidently saw that Jack
was speaking Of him, and he wrinkled
up his little nose, no doubt to aoknowi'
edge the compliment.
"Don't you admit his lovely dark
eyes?" asked Sylvia.
Every much indeed" was the reply,
but Jack was thinking that he infinite
ly preferred blue
"Have you ever beaten him. Miss
Druce?" There was a slight twinkle in
Jacks eye.
"Beaten him? OF course not have
brought him up by kindness When he's
naughty. talk to him seriously and
caress him."
LUCKY dog" thought Jack, and he
did not again refer to the beatings.
Then he hurried away toward the
town to report the robbery of his aunt's
jewels to the police.
The following day Mr.. Wicks was
missing.
He had risen early before breakfast
and had been enjoying all by himself
the delights of amateur poaching. He
never remembered having such fun be-
fore. He had chased cats in town, but
never rabbits, and now as he returned
home painting and with his tongue hang
ing out he suddenly saw just in front
of him little brown things running
among the grass. These were Jacks
young pheasants.
MI. Wicks stood still, with ears erect.
Then there, and there, and there, and
in moment six little cOrpses lay in
the grass, and it was at this juncture
that Mr. Wicks was discovered.
Jack looked sorrowfully at his dead
bheasants that he had so carefully nur-
tured and fed upon eggs and other lux
uries, then wrathfully at their destroyer.
"Come here" cried Jack, who was
really angry. "Come here, sir!'
Mr.. Wicks rolled over on his back
and looked up pathetioally with his
great brown eyes. This attitude OF peni-
tence had always touched Sylvia's
heart but to his horror 1t had no soften
ing effect upon Jack, for he was seized
by the scruff of the neck and f1ogged-
tlogged until he howled at this unto
ward treatment Sylvia, also in search
for Mr.. Wicks, heard his cries and ar
rived on the sceno just in time to sec
tho chastisement.
"Mr. Cherryton, Mr. Cherryton!
How dare you?" she cried in choking
voice. "Oh, my sweet Mr.. Wicks, what
have you been doing?" Then, turning
to Jack: "How could you beat him?
How could you be so cruel? You should
have asked my leave first" And with
tuO IlOSU tLhi iliAhS llttAO pouo AiAo5Aho-
BILE she picked up MIR. Wicks, tucked
him under her arm and walked sedate-
ly back to the house.
Jack followed humbly.
I'm most awfully sorry, Miss
Druce,' he began.
"Poor Mr.. Wicks'' said Sylvia, hard
ly noticing the apology. Il could hear
his cries mile Off. ="
"A mile, Miss Drucc?"
eyes, quite a mile" maintained
Sylvia, not caring how much she exag-
geratcd on MIR. Wicks' behalf.
won't you allow me to carry him?"
asked Jack. ''He's not very light.
NO. thank you," Sylvia answered,
with very decided tilt of her chin.
Then Jack turned away and went
back to his pheasants.
"The coming Of Mr.. Wicks, he said
sadly in voice that was full OF de-
spondency, "has been huge mistake.
Sylvia hates me for beating him, and
we'll, am the most wretched Of NOR
tails"