The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-11-28

IN a deferential sort of way. as if he
count Then the market woman began
to wah that her wares We're spoiled and
she might as well 60 home but when
| gave her some money, and the gentle
man kindly added some too. She har-
messed herself and her dog again and
resumed her journey. Then | turned
to thank my preseryfr Hector, whose
collar l still held, was restlesSly drag.
ging me forward, SO we walked on to-
gether.
Il am so sorry" began, that my
dog should have made such trouble"
lie smiled. Happily he said the
damage was not irroparable.'
Il am very much obliged to you for
interfering just now ! went on rather
excitedly. ut gave me chance to
bring Hector away
1T was courageous of you to do ii. -
he replied. He is a huge beast for
you to defy"
Well" | protested, he would not
hurt me. He is such a noble fellow.
and we are very fond of each other,
Hector and |. Indeed he has been my
best friend all summer
He looked down on me and smiled
again. Il am glad of that" he said.
for Hector is my favorite dog"
This, then was the count, and | had
been claiming his property. No won
der Hector had quoted down ut his
voice!
He must have read the disappoint-
ment and modification in my face, for
we had just arrived at the castle gates
and Hector had bounded away into the
grounds when he raised his military
cap with graceful courtesy and said
"Fraulein. we shall let Hector choose
between us. If he prefers you, | shall
never claim him and shall, moreover,
admire his taste"
He walked toward the gate while
went on, but Hector rushed out past
him to me and Whined patheticaHy
detantly in his path. To humor him
his master came ont again. and | turn
ed and faced him. Electors JOY was
unbounded. He jumped around us
both wildly and Showed by every sign
in his power that he had no intention
of "cleaying to the one and forsak ing
the other" 1t was SO evident and so
amusing that we both laughed heart
lily. which seemed to establish friend
Illness at once.
HE is determined we shall not part,
fraulein VIII you permit us both to
accompany you home?' They did so,
and on the way assured the count of
my intention to return shortly to the
city, when he would probably have his
fayorte's undivided affection again.
The next morning when | took my
accustomed place out under the trees
Hector soon came trotting gayly along
the bank, holding in his mouth n
small object of dark blue and red
cloth, which he deposited at my feet.
| picked it up. 1t was a military cap.
You may call 1t accident if you like
and say any dog will pick up a hat
and carry 1t off, hut you will see how
mistaken you are. After awhile Hec-
tors tail as he lay at my side began
to hammer the ground with gratified
thumps and 1 looked up questioning
ly. The count came toward us laugh
ing, to get his cap, he said, but he
must have forgotten his purpose, for
he stayed to watch me sketch, and
the next day he came again and the
next
| did not return to Dresden as soon
as | had intended. Indeed, | finally
decided not to return at ALL but to
make my home in the beautiful old
castle. | had always been opposed to
American girls marrying foreign no
blemen. and the count had had. lie
told me, IA most disappearing opinion
of American girls in general; but, you
see, Hector had made up his mind
yes. his mind-not to spare either OF
us, and he is such fine fellow we
could but acquiesce in the matter.