Evening star., 1897-03-06

remembering the dogs. jumped back in
alarm With rigid muscles Barney held at
arms length. his strong arm grasping the
collar, brute only slightly smaller than a
pony, whose angry fangs were tearing at
his coat sleeve. The other two dogs looked
en-. snarling, but apparently waiting for
their mistress to give the word of attack.
The girl shrieked at the sight.
Down, Nero, down." she cried. How
dare you, sir?'
"Oh, it's all right said Barney nom
chalantly. Don't sccld him. 'Tis his ma
ture to, don't you know. He'll find out two
things in about a minute; first, and most
important, that I'm going to be one of the
family; and second, that he's met his
match. 1 say, Mary, this wouldn't be a bad
scene for the aquarium. don't you know;
Samson defying the lightning, or was it
Ajax? 1 never can remember those class
ical allusions."
Down, SIR commanded the girl. Come
here and apologize
Barney relaxed his grasp on the colalr,
ard the huge dog cringed up to Lady Mary
with most crestfallen air. 1t was evident
that, although he deferred to his mistress
authority, he was still mistaken in his
opinion that such goings on as he had just
beheld were entirely out of order, and al
though he humbly licked the girls hand,
he cast side looks at Barney that were
anything but friendly, yet the truculent
glance was mitigated by that respect for
proven strength which one strong animal
feels when he meets stronger. The girl,
crouching, patted his shaggy coat, and, al
ternately scolding and pettlng him, eX-
rlained the situation as well as she could,
beseeching Nero to treat Barney as a
brother.
When she stood up again-blessed are the
peacemakers!-Barney said:
Lets see If he understands?'
Now, Barney" cried the girl, you
must behave yourself! You can't tell who
might come into view any moment
Wen risk the chance comer-purely for
the dogs benefit, you know, Mary
The big dog made no move this time,
but his angry eye lighted up with dan
heavy lips quivered, showing the teeth.
''Oh, it's case of pure Jealousy said
Barney. Il can see that Nero and
never can be friends"
They walked together slowly along the
lane, the dogs in front. Nero seemed ex-
ceedingly detected. and strode with Of
Tended dignity, taking little notice of the
other two dogs, who. with levity that
and then by deep, low growls of rebuke,
futility chased imaginary rabbits by the
hedge rows, tumbling over each other in
their frivolous, headlong career.
DO you know, Mary, I think we should
joint hands and swing our arms as We
walk along. l want to shout and whoop
like red 1ndian-and yet calm reflection
tells me it isn't good form. l believe I'm
hopelessly plebeian, and yearn for White
chapel expression of my happiness. If
weren't afraid Of the dog-that is, morally
afraid, for can throttle him physically
I'd pull the pin out of that most fetching
hat of yours, and put the hat on my own
head, giving you NINE Actually, I'd like
to dance, don't you know!'
The girl laughed.
II shouldn't mind a dance myself" she
said.
"Oh, then it's all right! I was beginning
to fear l had a costermonger for my an
cestor. but, II you're not shocked, 1 may
for all know he descended from the Con-
Qreror."
We'll, II you want to shout, do it now,
for l want you to be very circumspect and
proper when We walk up the avenue.
Barney did not shout, but he placed his
arm around her, and-and felt it was most
delightful to be thus taken in charge and
told how to behave.
(To be continued)