Gardnerville record. (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1898-1902, 1901-10-25
A Versatile Dog.

paid $4,000 for the gem and took 1T
10 Elsie TO have 1t ready IL she would
accept me for husband. / had seated
myself beside her. with the ring In my
hand, and In my confusion dropped 1t.
Elsie did not see 1t. She was tying
ribbon. But the dog did. What he
thought 1t was goodness only knows,
but he jumped down from the dear
girls lap, followed the rolling gem.
overlook 1t, Tapped 1t up and swallowed
it.
What l would have done l cannot
now imagine; but, at the very depth
of my extremities. In came the butler
with a card. 1t was a business affair.
Would excuse her one moment! Ger
tainly. As the dear girl and the sew
ant disappeared arose, grabbed that
dog, went to the window, raised II and
pitched him into the street. Then l
started for the hall. only to be met at
the door by Miss March as she was re-
turning.
"Oh, excuse me one moment, Miss
March! | will be back Immediately"
why, what has happened"
"Oh, nothing. only-only just raised
the window for an instant, and Jokko
went out into the street, and
"Oh. my poor poor Jokko" exclalm-
ed Elsie, suddenly realizing her loss
"Oh, Mr.. Arden, how could you have
been so careless? I'm sure he's lost.
Poor doggie"
II hope and pray that he isn't" said
|, with shndder at the thought.
please hurry. dol oh. my poor
Jokko"-
But | had seized my hat and plunged
wildly out of the house and down the
steps.
Well. | recovered the dog, slaughter
ed him. recovered the ring and bought
another dog. an exact mate to Jokko
except for one white hind leg. | took
him home and In the cab | adjusted
old Jokkos collar to the new Jokko's
neck.
So the new Jokko was the exact
match of the late lamented Jokko. ex-
cept that he was a female with one
white hind leg. | stopped and bought
a bottle of black ink and then care
fully painted that left leg till 1t was as
dark and glossy as the rest of her.
went up the steps OF the house in Sau-
marex square In triumph.
Elsie met me at the door. oh, II she
would only welcome me with half the
warmth she did her ''long lost Jokko"
The cur thought 1t great fun and
moment later gorged itself on dainties
from her hand. Poor Jokkow she
cried pitylngly. Did they steal you
away? 1t was shame-indeed 1t
WAS. You must be famished. poor
doggie"'
After dinner Cfor 1t was so late now
that had been pressed to remain and
dlne) We gravitated toward the very
spot where the interrupted drama of
love was enacted in the afternoon. |
resumed the same informal topics TO
break the ice once more. There Jokko
was upon her lap. enjoying her petting
hugely. why. see how gray Jokko's
left leg is gettingr' said Elsie.
Yes" said /. 1T is a peculiarity of
French poodles." Then. before that
opprobrlous leg could betray me, | risk
ed all and made the desperate plunge.
Thank goodness, She did not refuse
me. She was grateful-very grateful
for this highest honor which II mans
privilege to pay woman. She would
think il over with great care and give
h.e
Then she held out her trembling finger
tips 10 me. and took courage to bend
down and press them to my lips In tri-
umph. \ little later | smuggled that
cur into dark corner, gave his hind
leg another coat of ink and departed.
Daily for the next three days | call
ed 10 pay my court to the most sdora-
Bile woman on earth and to paint that
dogs hind leg. On the third day she
gave me the sweet assent SO coveted,
and | pressed home upon her fair I'm
ger the beautiful ruby with tender
blessing. She raised her calm eyes to
mine, my arms were intwined about
her and my lips We're just melting
upon her warm. cherry red mouth as
that mischief making dog entered She
had fallen into rub OF water, and her
left hind leg was ss white as snow.
or course | thought IL a curious coin
eidence and said so. but | had heard
that chameleons and French poodles
had an exclusive way OF changing
their coats at will. Probably the leg
would be black again by morning.
But II wasn't. and the dear girl be.
gan to be glad of IL. 1t was so unique,
you know. Three weeks later. on one
OF my daily calls, Elsie met me at the
door. her sweet face all smiles and gen.
tie bushes. What do you think, dear%
she exclaimed
Il don't. When lm with you,
can't"
"Oh, don't be facetlous. you stupid!
But I've got something awfully funny
to tell you"
"Do tell me.
"Jokkor' she exclaimed. Hes got
four wee little puppies!'
you don't say sol" | replied. looking
for dark corner 10 which to have tit
all by myself. well. dear, ! always
told you he was u most remarkable
dog and SO versatile. so very versa
tile.v-Adapted From Pearson's Week
lN.
An Inch of Rain.