Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-08-21
The Daily Short Story
A Versatile Dog.

70 Elsie to have ii ready If she WOULD
accept me for husband. had seated
myself beside her, with the ring in my
hand. and in my confusion dropped it.
Elsie did not see ii. She was tying a
ribbon. But the dog did. What he
thought it was goodness only knows,
but he jumped down from the dear
girls lap, followed the rolling gem,
overlook 1t, Tapped it up and swallowed
it.
What 1 would have done L cannot
now imagine; but, at the very depth
of my eXtremities, in came the butler
with n card. 1t was n business affair.
Would 1 excuse her one moment? Ger
tainly. As the dear girl and the serv-
ant disappeared / arose. grabbed that
dog. went to the window, raised il and
pitched him into the street. Then
started for the hall, only to be met at
the door by Miss March as she was re-
turning.
ooh. excuse me one moment, Miss
March, 1 will be back Immediately"
"Why, what has happened|
ooh. nothing. only-only just raised
the window for an instant, and Jokko
went out into the street, and
"Oh, my poor. poor Jokko" exclaim-
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
I. with a shudder at the thought. I
please hurry, dol Oh, my poor
Jokko''-
DIT I lod saj1ad my bo+ ond nIunped
wildly out of the house and down the
steps. q
Well, 1 recovered the dog. slaughter
ed him, recovered the ring and bought
another dog, an exact mate to Jokko
except for one white hind leg. 1 took
him home and in the cab 1 adjusted
old Jokko's collar to the new Jokko's
neck.
So the new Jokko was the exact
match of the late lamented Jokko, ex-
cept that lie was female with one
white hind leg. 1 stopped and bought
n bottle of black ink and then care
fully painted that left leg till it 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, If she
would only welcome me with half the
warmth she did her ''long lost Jokkor'
The cur thought it great fun and
moment later Gorged itself on dainties
from her hand. Poor Joklor' she
cried pityingly. did they steal you
away? 1t was n shame-indeed it
was. You must be famished, poor
doggieI'
After dinner (for it was so late now
that 1 had been pressed to remain and
dine) we gravitated toward the very
spot where the Interrupted drama of
love was enacted in the afternoon. 1
resumed the same informal topics to
break the ice once more. There JokIoo
was upon her lap. enjoying her petting
hugely. "Why, see how gray Jokko's
left leg is gettingr' said Elsie.
Yes" said l. at is a popularity of
French poodles." Then, before that
opprobrious 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 is mans
privilege to pay woman. She would
think it over with great care and give
me her answer within three days.
Then she held out her trembling finger
tips to me. and 1 took courage to bend
down and press them to my lips in tri-
umph. y little later L struggled that
cur into Il dark corner. gave his hind
leg another coat of ink and departed.
Daily for the next three days L call
ed to pay my court to the most adora-
bic woman on earth and to paint that
dogs hind leg. On the third day she
gave me the sweet assent i so coveted,
and / pressed home upon her fair fin
ger the beautiful ruby with n tender
blessing. She raised her calm eyes to
mine. my arms were intwined about
her ands my lips were just melting
upon her warm. cherry red mouth as
that mischief making dog entered. She
had fallen into n tub of water. and her
left hind leg was as white as snow.
OF course L thought it n curious coin
cidence 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 it wasn't, and the dear girl be-
gan to be glad of it. 1t was so unique,
you know. Three weeks later, on one
OF my daily calls. Elsie met me at the
door. her sweet face'alI smiles and gen.
tie bushes. What do you think, dear?"
she exclaimed.
II don't. WhenG Pm with you, L
can't"
"oh. don't be facetious, you stupidI
But I've got something awfully funny
to tell you
do tell me-"
'Jokko" she exclaimed. "He's got |
four wee little puppiesr'
You don't say sor' replied, looking |
for dark corner in which to have n fit |
all by myself. "Well. dear, 1 always |
told You he was n most remarkable |
dog and so versatile. so very versa |
tile. "-Adapted From Parsons Week |
ly.
Some EVarts Wit. II
Once when twithed on his small size |