Waterbury Democrat., 1901-05-29

animal was an irretrievably common. place cur, and Mrs. Cassell was ap- palled.
 .The very ideal' she said to herself, "of her boasting so over her dog. My terrier wouldn't condescend to look at himl''
 She endeavoFed to conceal her hor- TOT of the little animal frisking around the reception room and to veil her pity when her hostess arrived. To Mrs. Cas- sells a1nazement Mrs. Becker endured with equanimity the dogs careening across her satin upholstered chairs with frightfully wet and muddy feet, and beyond one quick look said never a word when he danced on white sofa cushion embroidered in apple blossoms, but continued her converse tion amiably.
 Mrs Becker's honsewifely soul was shocked Foolish as I may be oyer my Fido,' she said to her inner con- {sciousness, T would not be so ridicu- lous as to smile while he ruined the furniture"
 When the little dog, with his home ly face, pranced across to Mrs. Becker and impudently planted those same feet in the lap of her delicate-hued house gown she did not repulse him, but with what Mrs. Cassell mentally decided was an idiotic smile, even pat ted his head and called him fond names. It was too much and Mrs. Cas- sells opinion of her good friend dropped to zero with thud. As she carried on light conversati tion with her strangely benighted5 hostess she was assuring herself that charming manners, a love for goodsdeeris and "a pretty face did not make up for servile devotion to such ragged rat of dog as the one which at the mo- ment was placidly chewing up the en- pensive lace curtains and tearing them with his paws. As the animal, sunre. proved, swallowed whole renaissance lace flower he had distracted from the body of the curtain her feelings over- came her, politeness or not.
 Mrs. Becker she said, "don't you think you ought to see to your dog? Look what he is doing"
 Her hostess face flushed, for dog lovers are touchy. My dog?" she re- torted, with the accent on the pro- noun. My dog, I'd have you know, behaves himself I think if you'll re- strain your own pet over there it might be as well.'
 Mrs. Cassell stared at the yellow cur. s'My dog?" she repeated, dazed- ly. sThat thing my dog?" And the indignation in her voice would have freighted ship.
 The two women were on their feet in bewilderment.
 .'He came in with you,' persisted Mrs. Becker, "and of,course thought he was your dog you've talked about so much, and naturally I couldn't say a word while you sat there and let him spoil all my furniture and my. clothes
 1T thought he was yours,'' broke in Mrs. Cassell, vehemently, "and have been perfectly mortified at the way you've let him go on the last IS min utes."
 As light broke in there was con- certed rush and mischievous little yellow pup was ejected from the house with haste which made up for for mer tolerance.
 And then caller and hostess had a real sociable time over the gasoline bottle and two cleaning cloths instead of the conventional apot.-Chicago Daily News.
 --------------------> 5li&hGe. spent day away from you,
 Far, far awayI fared alone, Where no soft little fingers drew
 Themselves, unwilling, from my own Far, far away, where soft winds blew,
 strayed, one day, alone.
 Ah what a silence srnote my ear.
 And what an emptiness was there's No restless voice was there to hear,
 dumbness rode upon the air