, 1902-06-16
Flsddie and FIeddis.
BY II. G. DA COSTA.

SSopyrRh'. i|E, by DAHy Stpfy run. Col
How cold 1t was in Blocker Lane!
The wind seemed to have a particular
spite against an old, ramshackle.
three-story frame building that stood
on the corner. humping into it, and
sweeping and growing about 1t until
1t heaved and groaned. as II crying
out against its rough playfellow. The
falling n piled up against 1t. and
by the dim light one could see how the
boisterous wind lifted the snow and
flung it against the old house, snow
balling it, roaring with glee as now
and then a window broke in. Up on
the third floor the snow poured In
through one of the broken windows as
II curious to see the inside. then
formed little piles which were whirled
around the room by a stray gust from
the big wind outside. hen piling up
against two huddled up figures that
lay in the farther corner, revealing a
girl, scantily dressed. a rag of a cot
ton shawl wound round her, an eleven
year-old girl, but with an expressive
wisdom and experience in her face
that made one shudder, while plying
her. Her eyes were closed and she
breathed softly. The other was a dog.
The snow kept piling up against the
two until the dog moved uneasily, and
licked his mistress hand with a fer
vor that woke her instantly. She pat
ted his head. and slowly rose. reveal.
ing an immense pair of shoes in which
her feet were lost. cut nj torn, and
one latchless. The snow, losing it's
support, flew around the room. then
settled down on the floor, making a
white covering of purity that hid its
dirt. Everyone in Blocker Lane knew
the girl and her attendant, the dog.
The dog had been rescued by Fleddis
from an immense tin pail which he
was regarding aggressively one sum
mer's day, crouchirg in the sun with
despair written in his very tail.
Blocker Lane first knew them as
"Fleddis an the dawg." then as Fled
die an Fleddis.' putting the dog first.
He was a terrier of the ordinary size,
but his love for his mistress was so
fervent that 1t was a constant source
Of wonder to the 'Avenoo'. as it was
derisively called. why some on it
wasn't leaking out'n his skin" Filed
de-" she said, wait ere till I comes
back" and he curled himself in a
corner accordingly. Gathering up her
wisp Of a shawl. she dragged the shoes
down the worm-eaten steps. almost
being run down by a half drunken man
as she stepped outside. He raised his
fist threateningly. "Oh! Fleddis!" he
h~iccoughed, and lurched on. Poor lit
tie girl! How pitiful she looked as
she passed up the narrow alley! AS
/ she came to the wider street. a shah.
by house, brightly lit up, caught her
attention. 1t was a children's party
going on, but she peered through the
half-curtained windows with little
gasps of admiration and envy, until
some m opened the door and she
scuttled away. AS she went up the
street she begged timidly. and when
she finally got a copper from a passing
man it wal accompanied with: Chill
dren like these begging! Shameful"
The snow was falling lightly. but as
she tralnped on it got in her shoes and
she could barely walk. her feet were 80
cold. 1t was getting dark. and she
stopped at a friendly bakers and got
a roll for her cent. the kind-hearted
woman putting some cakes in the bag
as she saw how wistfully her custom
er eyed them. AS she drew near the
frame house she called home. a light
Jared up in the sky. bursting through
a dense bank of smoke and revealing
the alley crowded with a jostling
throng, fire lines drawn, and streams Of
water scattering against the ram
shackle buildings. coating the street
with Ice and freezing on the fire fight
ers below. A sudden pang seized her.
Fleddie! The fire was already circling
and coiling around the rotten frame
she had left, and 1t vas doomed. The
aremen saw this. and trying to protect
the other houses. thought nothing of
the dog. The room was brightly lit,