The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1902-08-30

Billinger did mot pass pleasant
afternoon. Once he called up Bat
terson's Office on the telephone, but
PATTERSON had not been In since
noon. In desperation he closed his
desk and sent for a cab. The sus-
pense was uncomfortable. He had
made up his mind to know the worst
at once.
The man who answered his ring
would see II Miss Mayhem was at
home and ushercd him into the we'll
remembered drawing room. AS soon
as his eyes became accustomed to the
dim half light he was aware Of
figure In the chair by the window.
The next instant he recognized it.
It was PATTERSON. In his lap lay q
forlorn black heap whose name was
Chicot.
Billinger was speechless. He rose
and took one step toward the door.
Flight was his purpose. Nothing else
was left him now. Too late! At
that very instant Miss Mayhem en-
tered the room. A handkerchief was
pressed to her eyes, and if there had
been sufficient light IL could have
been seen that they were red. Bill
linger stood miserably aside. Batter
son advanced proudly to the middle
of the room, but before he could
speak the poodle leaped from his
arms and rushed with joyous yelps
upon his mistress.
The immediate proceedings are too
sacred for public rehearsal. Miss
Mayhem clasped the miraculously re-
stored Chicot, all wet and muddy as
he was, to her palpitating bosom.
bat what she said is another matter.
PATTERSON was clothed In a proud
humility, and as he opened his mouth
to speak Billinger shuddered in his
dim corner by the door.
"I-er-er," suffered PATTERSON.
"I-er-I was so fortunate as to find
Chicot, you see."
Eyes, yes" cried the joyful mis-
tress of the dog, "thank Heaven. I
was afraid should never see him
again. But where-how, oh. tell me!
I beg YOU" Billinger waited as waits
the convicted criminal to hear his
sentence. Patterson cleared his
throat.
"Er-not far from my office-in
John street." he said, ''as / was go
ing to luncheon" Billinger seized q
chair to keep from falling. He could
hardly realize that he was to be
spared.
''The poor, poor doggie!" cried the
lady. "And to think he had walked
all the way down there. can't think
how he failed to be killed by a troll
| ley car or truck or something. It
is simply marvellous. How can 1 ever
thank you enough?" And she pressed
kiss upon Chicot's black, wet muz-
zle. Billinger was too grateful even
to begrudge his rival this sweet graf
itude.
"You have no idea how all this has
upset me-" went on Miss Mayhem,
especially coming at time when I
was so happy-when so wanted
everything to be serene and joyous"
Billinger's reprieve was too recent
for speech, but Patterson managed
| to say:
"Eh? How do you mean? don't
| understand"
"Of course you don't" said Miss
Mayhem. "How should you? But
when that wretched boy came to tell
me he had lost dear Chicot was
writing to you and Mr.. Billinger to
tell you of my engagement to Lord
Bletherington."
Billinger and Patterson went dole
fully down the brewnstone steps arm
in arm. The war was over.
81 say, old fellow" said Billinger,
mournfully, 81 know place around
the corner where there's a chap who
makes the best mint julep in New
York"
"Eh? What?" said PATTERSON, abb
sently. "Oh, don't mind il do"
AS they sadly turned the corner
they met an automobile careering
madly up the avenue. A pair of feet
reposed upon the dashboard. Behind
the feet appeared mouth between
whose lips was held long, fat, black
cigar. The face was the face of the
butchers boy. He was having the
time of his ife.-N. Y. Times.