The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-06-23

Here, you, Nag, yoc get out OF here.
The boy made pretense of Selling a
missile from the ground and finging it
at the unoffending Wag, whose name
had come from his violent manner of
expressing joy with his tail. The dog
fled wildly under the porch, and the
brother and sister, leaning on their
wheels, laughed loudly.
Poor Wag!" said the girl, relenting-
ly. It's a shame, Harry, for us to
abuse him that way, when he's always
SO happy at the least thing"
''Oh, well, | know, Maude, but we just
can't be bothered with him. He's al
ways running back and forth in front
of US and quarreling with other dogs
that run out and chase us. Besides, we
have no more lunch than we need, and
Wag will stand around when we eat it
and keep his tail going at such a rate
that he'll get half we've got"
Yes, l know he's perfect nuisance, -
repeated the girl; but the poor fellow
enjoys it so. Don't you dare follow us,
you sly Wag!" she added, pretending
10 speak very sternly.
Wag, who was at that moment watch
ing them through the lattice beneath
the porch, was almost tempted to rush
out and bark and caper and thrash his
tail nearly off at the tone of command.
but he restrained himself. and present
ly he saw the brother and sister ride off
together down the drive and turn in the
Il -, 81 D., ,I,.1
had planned to spend the day fishing.
Maude and Harry Leslie were twins,
and, as is often the case, insepararbe
companions. Their home lay a few
miles out of a little western city, and
their parents were well-to-do. During
pleasant weather they often spent an
entire Saturday on their wheels. They
were both fond Of fishing, and the
morning was still and beautiful. Their
rods were strapped to Harry's wheel
and each carried small box of lunch.
They were Is, in full health and spirits
and very happy.
AS they rounded a sharp turn in the
road the boy glanced back Then he
uttered an exclamation and began to
laugh.
'What is t?' asked Maude
"Oh, nothing! only just as l looked
around | saw that wretch Wag dodge
into the weeds little ways behind us.
He's following, and when we get far
enough so we can't drive him back
you'll see he'll come bounding out in
front of us as if his finding us in this
part of the country was the most I'M
expected thing in the world. | know
that scamp" And Harry was right,
for mile further on there was a sud
den clatter in the bushes by the road
side and Wag tumbled out right be-
fore them with an assumed air OF
mingled establishment and Joy that
made the two merry bicyclers scream
with laughter.
They pretended to scold and shame
him for his conduct, but the wise and
irrepressible Wag knew very well that
there was forgiveness in their voices, if
not in their words, and his tail ex-
pressed supreme happiness. Then he
dashed on ahead, and presently came
tearing back again, only to repeat the
performance over and over, with the oc-
casional variation of starting up bird
or a rabbit, at either of which he be-
came quite frantic with excitement as
long as he could keep within barking
distance of the game.
1t was ten o'clock when the brother
ic+a ln &
woods that lay along Randall's run. II
had grown quite warm, and after their
ride the quiet shade and sparkling
water were refreshing. 1t was perfect
day for sport, and their luck was I'M
usually good. At noontime, when the
morning fishing was pretty we'll over,
Harry built little fire and cooked one
or two fish for Wag, who enjoyed
them very well without pepper and salt
The brother and sister ate their lunch
too, and threw crust now and then to
Wag, for which he expressed thanks in
the usual manner. AS the afternoon
wore away the fish once more began
biting well and the time flew rapidly
1t grew warmer, too, and seemed I'M
usually still.
How very close and hot it is get
ting!" exclaimed Maude at last, "or is
it only because we are so busy? | feel
as if | could hardly breathe. And just
see Wag! Something must be aftel
him!"
The brother turned and saw the dog
bounding wildly toward them from the
direction of the road with an expression
an his face that was one of alarm. He
ran straight to Harry, who had risen
from the bank, and selling his trousers
leg, pulled violently in the direction OF
the wheels.
what do you want, Wag? What is
the matter with you?" asked Harry
laughing. "Oh, you want to go home
do you?" he continued as the dog con.
tinued to pull him toward his bicycle
We'll, we're going. Come, Maude. Wag
says it's time to go to supper"
The girl rose reluctantly. A fish had
been at her bait twice and each time had
escaped. Harry started to lift out the
string of perch and pickerel which lay
near them in the water. At this Wac
became frantic. He barked furiously
and ran half way to the road and back
avain nuIlinD fiPrcp1v at their cIot has