Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-06-21

Inc wind seemed to nave 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
it heaved and groaned, as if crying
out against it's rough playfellow. The
falling snow piled up against it. and
by the dim light orc could see how the
boisteEous wind lifted the snow and
flung 1t 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
If curious to see the inside, then
formed little piles which were whirled
around the room by a stray gust from
the big wind outside, then piling up
against two huddled up figures that
lay in the farther corner, revealing
girl, scantily dressed, rag of 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 dog.
The snow kept piling up against the
two until the dog moved uneasily. and
licked his mistress hand with 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 and torn, and
one latchless. The snow, losing its
support, few 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 F'leddis
from an immense tin pail which he
was regarding aggressively one suHn-
mer's day, crouching in the sun with |
despair written in his very tail. |
Blocker Lane first knew them as
''Fleddis an the dawg," then as Filed
die an Fleddis," putting the dog first. |
He was terrier of the ordinary size, !
but his love for his mistress was SO |
fervent that it was constant source |
of wonder to the 'Avenoo', as it was |
derisively called, why some on it |
wasn't leaking out'n his skin" Fled |
de-" she said, wait ere till 1 comes |
back" and he curled himself in a |
corner accordingly. Gathering up her
wisp of shawl, she dragged the shoes
down the worm-eaten steps, almost
being run down by half drunken man
as she stepped outside. He raised his
fist threateningly. "Oh! Fleddisi" he
and lurched on. Poor lit
tie girl! How pitifuI 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 children's party |
going on, but she peered through the
windows with little
gasps of admiration and envy, until
some one opened the door and she
scuttled away. AS she went up the
street she begged timidly, and when
she finally got a copper from passing
man it was accompanied with: Chill
dren like these begging! Shameful"
The snow was falling lightly, but as
she tramped on it got in her shoes and
she could barely walh, her feet were So
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 I
frame house she called home, light
f1ared 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 it was doomed. The |
fremen saw this. and trying to protect |
the other houses, thought nothing of /
the dog. The room was brightly lit,
and Fleddis saw her pet coiled in the
corner. 1t stirred, and then jumped I
up as the light became brighter. Round /
and round it shifted. then ran to the |
stairs They were smoking, but the /
dog went down few steps, then run
ming back fearfully. sprang to the |
window and hung there. looking down |
pitifully. Compassionate murmurings |
ran through the crowd, and a net was