Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-04-29
A MAN AND HIS DOG.
By EvERARD JACK APPLETON.
Author of Tales Form the Mounds etc.

'if you Will lead the way we will get Mar
gerry to bed and give her something
warm.
The girl colored again at the implied re-
Duke and walked quickly ahead I'VE are
stopping for the summer at the inn." she
said. My mother is an invalid, and Mar
gerry and / came for walk But she is
such little lover of all nature. and the
water, especially"
"A healthful passion at most times"
said Thornton, smiling both at her apol-
ogy and the impression the three were
making on the people whom they were
meeting on the highway now, but some
times dangerous, Miss-Mss-"
Roberts said the girl.
Thank you. am Charing Thornton,
of the old place up there. Now, II you
will go ahead and get a bed ready for our
little mermaid, without disturbing your
mother. will slip in quietly and turn her
over to YOU"
Half an hour later Thornton came down
to the public room of the inn, where the
keeper was awaiting him. The child is
doing nicely, Higgins" said the master of
the Gables, as he tried vainly to light
match on his still damp knickerbockers.
II am going home TO get some dry clothes
myself. / will drop in again this evening.
and meanwhile anything that Mrs. Rob-
erts or her children want. be sure you get
them promptly. They are old friends of
my family" he went on unblushingly,
''and 1 expect them to have the best"
AYE. sir, that the shall have" said the
pleased inn keeper. as his fingers closed
over the offered coin.
True to his promise Thornton came lat
er in the evening, and before his little
visit was over, felt as if he had known
the Roberts, as he told Higgins, many
years. But whenever he tried to disclaim
any credit for the rescue OF Margery, who
had taken a violent liking to him as soon
as he appeared in the room, and tried to
tell them the truth. both Isabel and Mrs
Roberts laughingly stopped him, declar-
ing that all heroes were modest and that
he was no exception. So he gave it up.
albeit guilty remembering that sometime
he must explain ALL
When he reached home again, after a
dreamy stroll from the inn, In which he
had built all manner of strange and new
air castles, Nero met him at the door. His
master laughed. as he shook the great
head gently to and fro, II have accepted
the mantle that is yours by right, old fell
low he said, "and l hadn't the courage
to disclaim the praise that was not mine
But Tomorrow
Yet when tomorrow came the oppor-
tunity did not, although some trivial err
rand led Thornton past the inn, which,
of course, necessitated his stopping in to
inquire after the little invalid. She came
running TO him herself for answer and
sprang into his arms, nesting her face
close to his. Il am all we'll again" she
cried breathlessly. land ! love you and
so does mammal" Thornton felt strange
wave of real happiness rush over him at
the childs artless words. and he answered
softly, And I love you. Margery"
A week passed. Thornton's visits be-
came remarkably regular. Each day
day brought it's errand in the village and
one evening he accepted their invitation
to dinner. A few days later he prevailed
upon them to make his evening meal at
the Gables less lonely, and both Margery
and Isabel went into delighted and de-
hghtful raptures over the beautiful old
place. Thornton talked with Mrs. Rob
erts, both learning much of each other
and finding mutual acquaintance and
AiiShdS III d uiStdilI CITY. But IAOrntOnS
eyes strayed often to where the graceful
girl and pretty child walked or sat- and
some of his replies were not strictly an
swers to the questions Mrs. Robert asked
for when Cupid make up his mind to do
bit or archery practice, he does not waste
time. And so, before the summer was
two months old, Charing Thornton, deep
in the net of love, laid his heart at Iss-
bells feet.
But before he did so, he told her the
whole truth of Margery rescue, as he had
often tried to tell it before. And now"
he said, when he had finished. IF YOU
can love man who takes the credit for
something he did not do-even If he does
take it from only his dog-and stiI be-
lieve him worthy of woman, Isabel, you
will make him the happiest man alive"
Il cantor have cared, for a long time.
dear" she said. And II l love you. l
must love old Nero, too. don't you know"
she smilingly added.
Six months later the Gables had a mis-
tress, Charing Thornton the prettiest and
happiest little wife In three counties. and
Nero loving companion in the person of
Margery, over whom he watched all day,
as they romped or walked together with
loving dignity betting the animal who
had saved a life and helped his master
win woman's love