The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-22


golf bag. saying that it was the best
thing he could do.
Not quite" retorted Sylvia, laugh
ing. The very best thing you could do
would be to persuade your aunt to let
dear Mr.. Wicks stay"
And so / will" exclaimed Jack, with
great earnestneSS.
How serious" said Sylvia, glancing
quickly at him; and then there was a
pattering Of feet and painting behind
them. 1t was Mr.. Wicks.
How nice! We shall have an audi
ence. Mr. Wicks has come to look on"
said Sylvia, holding out her cleek for
the dog to jump over.
But Jack thought differently I'm
afraid we shall find it quite impossible
to play if he does look on" he sug-
gested.
And why?"
"Oh, because he'll stand behind you
just when you're going to hit or come
in front and get killed, and many 9TH
er things"
VERY WELL" said Sylvia, with
shade of annoyance in her voice: "rath-
er than have Mr.. Wicks lose his walk
I'll give up golf; and please, Mr. Cher
ryton, will you take my clubs back to
the house? Thank you"
And at that moment Jack felt that
he positively hated Mr.. Wicks.
Come along, Mr. Wicks, dear" cried
Sylvia, gayly.
Jack said never word, but stood
staring after Sylvia as she walked
away with Mr.. Wicks by her side. and
his old enemy-jealOusy- within
him.
Two or three days passed by. Sylvia
seemed just as devoted as ever to her
dog, and Jack became more and more
gloomy and silent.
Mr.. Wicks must really go tomOr-
row." said Miss Cherryton, looking at
her morose nephew. My dear Jack,
for goodness sake say ething-do
something!" she cried, jumping up and
bustling about the room. But don't
sit there so solemn and SphinX-lke."
send him away, aunt-send the dog
away. But what am | saying? Keep
him. ! mean. Oh, keep him. Miss
Druce is so devoted to him" And Jack
flung himself out of the room.
We'll" laughed Miss Cherryton, "the
young men are strange creatures, es-
pecally when they are in love. New
ertheless, | shall send the puppy
away"
Jack stroled out of the house in the
cool of the evening, In his state Of
mind the rooms seemed oppressively
hot. Again and again he asked him
self if Sylvia cared for him, but he
could find no answer, and the tall trees
waving their branches in the night
breezes seemed to sigh in sympathy
with him.
He walked slowly across the soft, vel
vety lawn, and out of the garden into
the long grass of the park. He looked
up at the star-lit heavens and at the
faint pink light just above the hori-
zon, but the silent beauty of the eve
ming made him more sad.
mo; it isn't quite clear-as clear as
daylight-she doesn't care for me one
scrap. It's Mr.. Wicks she likes" eX-
claimed Jack out loud. "All her time is
devoted to that dog. all her thoughts
are for him, and, I-well I'm simply
the cruel brute that beat her dear dog
oh, Sylvia, Sylvia, would that ] had
never seen you!"
At this moment there was a sharp
little bark of delight a rustling in the
grass, and Mr.. Wicks came dancing at
Jacks side.
go home!" cried Jack pointing to
the house. What are you doing out
here?"
Most dogs would have skunk away
with their tails between their legs, but
Mr.. Wicks looked up solemnly at Jack,
and almost seemed to speak the words,
why are you angry with me?" then
held up a little paw as IL to ask for
forgiveness, and a stump of a tail
wagged pleadingly,
Jack looked down at the dog, took
the proffered paw, and stroked the
silky head. Then he walked on SILENT
ly, and Mr. Wicks trotted cOntentedly
by his side, And the moon rose, maxi
ing the shadows darker and the open
fields lighter.
Presently, without any apparent rea-
son. Mr.. Wicks began 10 growl.
Close by, on a slight rising of the
ground We're three old oaks, veterans,
gnarled and weather-beaten. Toward