The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1901-12-13

She was indeed perfectly furious.
She abused Hector, she abused me, she
abused the aristocracy to which she
seemed to think we both belonged, as
highway robbers and assassins! In my
desperation picked up stick to COM
pei Hector to obedience, but she mis-
took my motive and advanced upon me
in a rage. "Silencew We turned quick
ly. Just out of the wood came a young
man in uniform, evidently an officer.
The dogs stood still in an instant, and
rushed forward and grasped Hector's
collar.
He did nat consent kindly to being
led off, but the other dog had been
pretty we'll chastised by this time. Hec-
tor felt his knightly powers had been
duly established, and he quoted down
in a deferential sort of way, as If he
were only coDsenting to it on my ac-
count. Then the market woman began
to wall that her wares were spoiled and
she might as well go home, but when
I 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 l turned
to thank my preserver.' Hector, whose
collar l still held, was restlessly drag
ging me forward, SO we walked on to-
gether.
81 am so sorry" I began, that my
dog should have made such trouble
He smiled. Happily" he said "the
damage was not irreparable."
81 am very much obliged to you for
interfering just now" | went on rather
excitedly. ut gave me a chance to
bring Hector away"
cit was courageous Of you to do It,"
he replied. "He is a huge beast for
you to defy"
"Well," 1 protested, 'he would not
hurt me. He is such noble fellow,
and we are very fond of each other,
Hector and 1. 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 Quieted down at 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 l
went on, but Hector rushed out past
him to me and Whined pathetically;
then he ran back to the count and stood
defiantly in his path. To humOr him
his master came out again, and | turn
ed and faced him. Hector's joy was
unbounded. He jumped around us
both wildly and showed by every sign
in his power that he had no intention
of ''cleaving to the one and forsaking
the other" 1t was 50 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. Will you permit us both to
accompany you homes" They did so,
and on the way 1 assured the count of
my intention to return shortly to the
city, when he would probably have his
favOrite's undivided affection again.
The next morning when I took my
accustomed place out under the trees
the bank, holding in his mouth
small object Of dark blue and red
cloth, which he deposited at my feet.
[ picked it up. 1t was military cap
You may call it accident if you like
and say any dog will pick up a hat
and carry it off, but 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 I 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, 1 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, he
told me, Almost 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 a fine fellow we
could but acquiesce in the matter.
He Could Cook.
"Can he cook 2" asked the proprietor