Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-11-13
A CONFLICT OF EVIDENCE.
RY RODRIGUES OTTOLENGUI.
Author of IAN Artist In Crime.

worthy of perpetuity than the evil that
resides in man.
The mastiff, having entered the
room, went close to where Lewis stood,
and after shifting at his legs moment
gently licked the hand which hung
down, reaching it without an effort. so
tall was he.
Lewis must have indeed been lost in
thought, for he needed not the GOOD
morning" of the brute. His salutation
unnoticed, the mastiff dropped down
upon his launches and so sat staring
into the face Of the man as though to
ask wherefore he was not observed.
There is the picture-the man leaning
against the mantel, present in the body,
but absent in mind or spirit and the
dog sitting patiently waiting for the
return of consciousness in the man, so
that he might be recognized. AS he con-
tinued to stare up at Lewis, who will
say, that, dog though he was, he would
not be able to note the first expression
on the face which would show that the
man 8 mind had returned from it's pur-
suit of the unknowable? The position
remained unchanged for many minutes,
till at last the dog must have concluded
that he deserved more than was accord
ed to him. He raised one of his huge
paws and placed it upon the mans leg,
repeating the action, as though inten-
tionally touching him to attract his at
tention. Still failing, he reached lit
tie higher and let his paw rest on Lew
is hand.
This aroused Lewis, and even before
be fully recovered from his reverie he
closed his fingers upon the proffered
paw, grasping it tightly. He looked
down, but AS he met the mastiff's eyes
they were turned away. What is there
about a dog which causes him to do
this? He will stare at you by the hour,
but look at him and he turns away as
though caught in an act of which he is
ashamed. Is it recognition of the su-
periority of man, and does he instinc-
lively feel that it is liberty for him so
to stare, even though the proverb allows
the cat to gaze upon majesty?
Lewis stopped and patted the huge
head, and the dog turned his mouth up
so that he could lick the hand which
caressed him.
"Poor dumb BRUTE" said Lewis
aloud, II wonder if you know that I
am in trouble and are offering your
sympathy:" He leaned farther forward,
and the dog licked him in the face.
"You seem to be fond Of dogs. |"
Lewis lcot ed up quickly, releasing the
dogs paw, and saw that it was Virginia
who had spoken.
eyes," he replied. II am devoted to
the species. I feel quite complimented
at the favors shown to me by this one
He does not look like dog who would
make friends with every one, and it is
said that these intelligent brutes in
stinctively avoid the evil disposed.
"You are the first man of whom Saw
age ever made friend at sight, re-
piled Virginia. II think that his name
is a good exponent of his nature. There
are few about this neighborhood who do
not fear him. I wonder if what you say
is true? mean that dog can do what
man cannot-read character and dis
tinguish between the good and the bad?'
II cannot be certain, of course, but
think so. 1t is all speculation, though
there are stories III substantiation OF
that theory. However that may be, l
am glad that Savage is friendly with
me, since 1 am to be your guest. 1t
would be very awkward otherwise. l
should fear to leave my room at night. y
"You must not call yourself my
guest" said Virginia, in friendly tones
"Despite what the detectives, or others,
may have told you of my recent un-
pleasantness with my uncle, I loved
him dearly. AS you are his son, I look
upon you as his rightful heir, regardless
of what the squire tells me are the pro-
visions of the will. You must consider
yourself entirely at home"
"You are very kind to the prodigal. "
He paused a moment. "You said just
now that you dearly loved my father. "
His voice trembled little, and he stop
ped to regain control of himself. II am
glad to have you say that. I am glad
that some one loved him." Again he
was obliged to pause. "You see I for
sook him, and he must have been very
lonely man had you not given him your
affections. Now that I have come back,
in face Of the dreadful calamity that
has befallen us, your kind words lead
me to hope that-that you will give me
your good opinion and your good will
now, and that later we may grow to be
firm friends and perhaps affectionate
cousins. Am lam I too bold?"
II told you the truth when said that
I loved my father-for he was father
to me. How could l help loving him!
He was so good to me-" She was not
answering his question directly, and as
she said the last words she choked back
a sob and turned her head away to hide
her emotion. For this reason she did not
see all involuntary movement toward
her which Lewis made. He stretched
forth his arms, as though he would in
fold her with them by way of sympa-
thy. Almost as quickly as he had been
moved, he checked himself and seemed
calm when she looked at him again.