Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-07-31
1 ; Storyette
BLUE BOYS" CLEVER WORK.
BIZ HortenSea Ruthven.

On a fresh, frosty November morn
ing the kitchen door at the rectory
opened and a tiny blue Pomeranian
ran out into the crisp morning air. He
came to sudden halt by large white
bone which lay upon the lawn.
Dragging this, by dint of great exer-
ton, to secure retreat behind a
laurel, le saw impressed upon it, in
the code of tooth marks formulated by
the old dog philosopher, Cerberus, the
following:
From Bang to Blue Boy (son of
Dark DAWN, greeting: Shep, who
guards the sheep in the meadow be-
hind the rectory orchard, will take
charge of this.
II you remember, little friend, we
tried to talk things over at the show,
but the benches were so far apart, and
the noise great | think you heard,
however that my master, Harry Oaken.
gates, IS still unhappy, owing to the
estrangement between him and your
mistress Kate.
L have heard it gossiped in the ken
nelS here that she will probably shortly
become engaged to Master Harry's
elder brother Hall. 1t seems sad to
ne that SO much bitter feeling and
pride should exist between my master
and her, when she is shortly 10 be-
come member of his own fine old
family. Between you and me and the
bone little friend, L Well, | won't
tell you what | think. | will simply
tell you what | know of their quarrel.
You know, of course, that she spent
last November here with the young
ladies Of our house? Well, one morn
ing Master Harry came round to the
kennels early. | really think he had
not slept at all, his face was so bag
gard.
He let us out for our morning exer-
else, but l, having no heart for it, re-
NAMED by him and pushed my nose
into his hand. He did but toy absently
with my ears, and his eyes were far
away over the white, frosty fields. |
pushed my nose again, for such a
morning was not to be wasted
Halo, Bang, old fellow he said
with a start and a smile You shall
have your way. Trot around bit and
thaW your old blood
In few minutes he came out with
his gun. | scampered with delight
around the first fields, throwing the
frost from the grass like spray around
us; but | came to heel then without a
word from him, for [ knew my duty
My attention to business, though. was
frultless. He shot at little, and that
little he missed. When we turned
homeWard in an hour my mouth had
not tasted a feather.
Then, by tho second StiIe. whom
should we meet but your mistress
Kate looking lovely and sweet in her
fur-tipped coat and round fur hat.
Good morning!' she said, in he1
merry way. So you have been killing
things, as usual? What savages al
heart you men must be-!
Not even a blackbird, he said
trying to answer in her own careless
tone. Ask Bang. Then he said
lowering his voice and looking at hel
hard: I feel as if I'd like to kill some
thing, kate-if it's only myself
lence, she glancing at him now ano
again from the corner of her eye, unit
we came to the last stile, which is be
side the ruined wall of the ancien
abbey.
What pretty ivy!' she said
looking at the creeping stuff which
grows upon the abbey wall. It is
rare kind, l believe.
me master plucked a fine sprig
ana, after shaking the frost off, he'll,
it towards her.
VIII you wear it,? he said. IT ma,
remind you Of things that are stancl
and true
She redeemed a little, but took til
spray, fastening it to the fur lappe
upon her coat.
Then Master Harry'y gun fell dow,
amongst the ivy roots, and both hi
hands were stretched towards her.
Kate he said, so softly | coul
scarcely hear him, why do you tortur
me so?'
She looked at him for momen
but her eyes soon faltered, and cam
back to me-
You have no right to talk lik
this, she said
Have | not? cried Master aarr
with rising anger. How long hay
you known that love you? You hav
never told me not to hope And la.
night l saw how you spoke to him
my brother
I spoke to him but little! she sal
making a pout at me from behind IL
wall.
But how?' he cried. And no
did you let him speak to ou?'
1T seems to me that if M1stre:
Kate had bent her mind upon teasir
my master she might in truth ha-
ended it there. But she met the plea
ing in his eyes with hooking look
her own
so, bother!' she said, tossing Il
leafess twig for me to chase Y,
are Jealousminded, Harry. They S;