The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-01-21
rushed forward and grasped Hector's


led of, but the other dog had been
pretty well chastised by this time. Hec-
tor felt his knightly powers had been
duly established, and he quieted down
In a deferential sort Of way, as IL he
were only consenting to 1t on my ac-
count. Then the market woman began
to wall that her wares were spoiled and
she might as well go home, but when
! gave her some money, and the gentle
man kindly added some too, she har-
messed herself and her dog again and
resumed her journey. Then 1 turned
to thank my preserver. Hector, whose
collar I still held, was restlessly drag
ging me forward, SO we walked on to-
gether.
81 am so sorry" l began, ''that my
dog should have made such trouble"
He smiled. Happily" he said, ''the
damage was not irreparable."
II am very much obliged to you far
interfering just now" went on rather
excitedly. 1T gave me q chance to
bring Hector away"
''It was courageous Of you to do It,"
he replied. HE Is a huge beast for
you to DEFY"
"Well," I protested. "he would not
hurt me. He IL such noble fellow.
and we are very fond Of each other,
Hector and I. Indeed he has been my
best friend all summer"
He looked down ON me and smiled
again. 81 am glad Of that" he said,
'for Hector II my favorite dog"
This. then, was the count, and had
been claiming his property. No won
der Hector had quieted down at his
voice!
He must have read the disappoint-
ment and modification In my face, for
we had Just arrived at the castle gates
and Hector had bounded away into the
grounds when he raised his military
cap with graceful courtesy and said:
sFraulein, we shall let Hector choose
between US. II he prefers you. shall
never claim him and shall. moreover.
admire his taste"
He walked toward the gate while 1
went on, but Hector rushed out past
him to me and whined pathetically;
then he ran back to the count and stood
defiantly In his path. To humor him
his master came out again. and l turn.
ed and faced him. Hector's Joy waa
unbounded. He jumped around az
both wildly and showed by every sign
In his power that he had no intention
Of "cleaving to the one aud forsakins
the other" 1t was SO evident and sc
amusing that we both laughed heart
lily, which seemed to establish friend
ltness at once.
He Is determined we shall not part
fraulein. Win you permit Us both tt
accompany you homer They did 90
and on the way ] assured the count Of
my intention to return shortly to thu
city, when he would probably have hi
favorite's undivided affection again
The next morning when I took my
accustomed place out under the tree
Hector soon came trotting gayly alont
the bank. holding In his mouth ,
small object Of dark blue and ret
cloth, which he deposited at my feet
| l picked 1t up. 1t was q military cap
You may call 1t accident II you hk,
and say any dog will pick up a ha
and carry 1t OF, but you will see hov
mistaken you are. After awhile Hec
tors tail as he lay at my side hegal
to hammer the ground with gratife'
thumps. and l looked up questioning
ly. The count came toward us laugh
ing. to get his cap. he said. but b
must have forgotten his purpose. 70
he stayed to watch me sketch. an
the next day he came again and tn
next.
did not return to Dresden as 500
as ! had intended. Indeed, ] flnall
decided not to return at all, but t
make my home In the beautiful oil
castle. ! had always been opposed t
American girls marrying foreign NJ
blemen. and the count had had. b
told me. a most disapproving oplnio
of American girls In general; but. 20
see, Hector had made up his mind
yes, bis mind-not to spare either 9
us, and be Is such q fine fellow "
could but acquiesce In the matter.