The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-08-25
DUKES MISSION.

Harry was lying under the apple tree
by the brook. Duke by his side
You see said Harry, running his hand
over the shagy head, You an 1, old
boy, have got TO patch this thing Up.
But how?' meditatively. That's what
1 want to know. She won't let me say
anything. Every time do she gets mad
or cries Dorothy won't speak 10 Jack.
and couldn't If she would, for ne wen
come near enough 10 give her a chance.
You and 1 don't have any more drives or
picnics. or have any nice long tramps IN
the woods Taken altogether, things are
dead slow in this old place in the country
First thing we know he'll go back TO
town, and then it's all off. / wish you
could help me-"
Duke waged his tail alphabetically.
Here comes Dorothy now, old boy.
And Harry waved his hand 10 the slender
little figure in the pink muslin gown com
ing acros the meadow
Harry" said his sister. as she came
I'D and sat down beside him, I think
you are the LATEST boy 1 ever saw. You
and Duke have done nothing but lie
around all day lately. Why don't YOU go
somewhere such lovely days?
There's no one TO 20 with or no one
70 lend a fellow his dOgcart. and one thing
and another.
don't you and Jack make up? I'm miss
ing heaps of good times.
Harry Graham said Dorothy, Don
you. ever as long as you live, mention
Jack Thurstons name TO me again, or
III see that you never come with me
again TO Aunt Netties for the summer.
Don't care If I don't he answered
Grossly; I'm going 10 write home for
them to send for me. anyhow. II some
thing don't turn up pretty soon. Come
on, Duke and he was Off.
But Duke didn't move, but lay looking
at Dorothy, and then rose and stood
Fitoughtfully gazing after Hary's retreat
ing form.
Dorothy leaned back against the tree
and let her thoughts have full sway.
Harry vas right, she thought. We
have all missed heaps Of good times the
past four weeks"
And it was all her fault, her ungovern-
able temper, she thought, and now she
might never see Jack again. Since their
quarrel she had only seen him once He
had changed his boarding place and was
living at the other end of the town
There was a pretty girl staying there,
too. The day she saw him they were
driving together. laughing and talking to-
gether. He seemed happy enough, even
if she was miserable. suppose ne mao
fallen in love with her!
A. the thought she buried her face in
her hands and wept bitterly.
A cold nose was placed in her hand,
and looking up she saw Dukes big Drown
sympathetic eyes fixed on her.
You are sorry, boy. aren't you2 she
said; But you can't help me. want to
tell Jack 1 am sorry. but he won't give
me a chance, for he won't come near me
and perhaps it's too late anyway; he may
not love me any more. OH l am so miser-
ablel' and the sobS broke out afreSh. She
fell asleep from sheer exhaustion, her hede
leaning against the tree trunk and hei
hands loosely clasped together. Duke
stood and looked at her for a few min
utes, then lay down close beside her. Sud
denly he pricked up his ears, then jumped
to his feet and with a bound was of e
where in the distance he could see fig
ure coming through the trees that Dor
dered the meadow. With a rush he was
upon him. licking his hands and with low
banks telling him how glad he was tC
see him.
Duke. old fellow. I haven't seen yor
for long time" And he stroked the
shaggy head Then he stopped amazed
for Duke had his teeth in his coat anc
was pulling him in no gentle manner 10
ward the lower end of the meadow.
.'yVhat is it, boy?" he asked as he was
pulled along in spite Of himself, then NJ
stopped suddenly as Duke loosed his hole
and there in front of him was Dorothy
fast asleep.
He knelt down beside her. Dorothy,
he said softly, taking her hands in his
Wake UP, dear, it is Jack She awok'
as she felt his kisses on her lips, and see
ing his face above her, nestled back mt
his arms with a contented sigh.
Il am sorry. Jack. and wanted TO tel
Won so. but YOU" But he stopped her
There. dear, say no more about it
We have both been naughty with
happy laugh, But now we Will be good.
And you don't love that pretty cir
you took driving?"
L love one pretty girl" he answered
And that is Dorothy Graham"
There was silence for a moment .theI
she said: How did you know 1 was here
JACKIE"
'.Duke told me. good fellow" turning Il
pat him, but Duke was nowhere 70 h'
seen. But coming toward them at break
neck speed was Harry
He precipitated himself into Jack
arms. Say isn't this bully?' he said
= was sitting on the fence by the barn
wishing I was home, when Duke came III
and commenced to pull me toward tn
meadow. Then I saw your hat and
knew everything was all right. and here
am. ann as the shaggy head wa
put up against his face, Here's Duke.
Duke stood and gazed or them all will
smiling benevolence. and Wagged his tail
Dear Duke" said Dorothy softly, anC
Jack answered with happy smile.
Say. Jack said Harry a little later
as he started for the house with the dog
Il think ] deserve n ride and Duke
collar. Course Duke did the work. bu
he wouldn't known about the trouble +
l hadn't told him. Boston Post.