The Press., 1902-03-06

; Presently tried to go back into the
water, but to this he forcibly objected,
! and / was obliged to submit. When
|, returned to the house. he accompanied
) me- to the terror OF my hostess. He
belongs up at the schloss," she explain
ed. "The young graf is always travel
! ing, and almost all the servants are
afraid Of him.
stPoor fellowY' / thought. He has
been lonely too. That is what we read
in each others eyes. After that Hec-
tor and were inseparable. He came
every day. and we explored all the sur
rounding country together. am sure
he thought-yes. thought just as much
as you or l can think-that he saved
my life and consequently ought to APP
point himself my guardian. To me he
seemed like living link to the beauti-
full old castle, protector and faithful
friend.
One morning as we were returning
from long walk I saw advancing that
always novel sight to American eyes. q
woman and dog harnessed together.
dragging a cart. In this instance the
cart was full of vegetables. 1t was evil
IDENTIFY a market frau taking produce to
town. Now, Hector was true knight,
valiant, loyal and gentle. but he pos
sessed also that other characteristic of
i knighthood-he brooked no intruders,
and no sooner did one of his kind ap-
pear than he challenged him to combat.
i I knew this and trembled, but hoped
for the best.
Unluckily, however. that plebeian dog
as he approached presumed to give a
defiant bark. which settled his fate. In
stantly Hector gave one spring and,
selling his boastful adversary, shook
him out of his harness in less time than
1t takes to tell of it. overturning the cart
and scattering the vegetables in every
direction. | was distressed beyond
measure and called Hector in the most
commanding tones could assume.
Then | coaXed him. all of which he en-
tirely ignored. Meanwhile the other
one of the span was by no means quiet.
She was indeed perfectly furious.
She abused Hector, she abused me, she
abused the aristocracy. to which she
seemed to think we both belonged, as
highway robbers and assassins! In my
desperation picked up a stick to com
pei Hector to obedience, but she mis-.
took my motive and advanced upon me
in a rage. 'Silencew We turned quick
| ly. Just out of the wood came a young
man in uniform, evidently an officer.
The dogs stood still in an instant. and
j rushed forward and grasped Hector's
| collar.
He did not consent kindly to being
| led off, but the other dog had been
pretty we'll chastised by this time Hec-
tor felt his knightly powers had been
duly established, and he quoted down
in deferential sort of way, as IL he
were only consenting to it 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 I turned
to thank my preseryer. Hector, whose
collar 1 still held, was restlessly drag
| ging me forward, so we walked on to-
gether.
81 am so sorry" began, 'that my
dog should have made such trouble"
He smiled. Happily" he said, ''the
damage was not irreparable."
Il am very much obliged to you for
interfering just now" went on rather
excitedly. 1T gave me chance to
bring Hector away"
at was courageous of you to do 1"
he replied. HE is a huge beast for
you to defy"
"Well." I protested. she would not
hurt me. He is such a noble fellow,
| and we are very fond of each other,
Hector and 1. Indeed he has been my
| best friend all summer"
He looked down on me and smiled
| again. Il am glad of that" he said,
'for Hector is 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:
''F'raulein, we shall let Hector choose
between us. If lie prefers you. shall
never claim him and shall, moreover,
admire his taste.
| He walked toward the gate while
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 turn
ed and faced him. Hectors joy was
unbounded. He jumped around us
both wildly and showed by every sign
in his power that he had no intention
of "cleaying to the one and forsaking
the other" 1t was 50 evident and SO
amusing that we both laughed heart
lily, which seemed to establish friend
Illness at once.
| He is determined we shall not part.
fraulein. Will you permit us both to
accompany you homer They did so,
and on the way l assured the count of
my Intention to return shortly to the
| city. when he would probably have his
| favorite's undivided affection again.
| The next morning when took my
accustomed place out under the trees
Hector soon came trotting gayly along
the bank. holding in his mouth
small object of dark blue and red
cloth, which he deposited at my feet.
| picked it UP. 1t was a military cap.
You may call it accident if you like
and say any dog will pick up a hat
| and carry it off. but you will see how
mistaken you are. After awhile Hec-
| tors tail as he lay at my side began
to hammer the ground with gratified
thumps. and looked up questioning