The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-07-31

came mere hollows, but In his eyes
was the sparkle of care free spirit.
4 Back Of him was the dim room with
its combining white covered table, ahead
Of him sunshine md freedom. But
dark days came when he was driven,
! lame and thirsty, from place to place,
and one morning the light went out Of
his eyes, and he lay on path in the
park, his ears alert for the sound Of
F., menacing footsteps.
All at once there came down the road
a victoria. In 1t was the lady with the
red face, who motioned the driver to
, stop.
There's that darlin' dog"
She held out an open box Of biscuits.
/ 'Come, doggie," she pleaded. And the
t., prodigal, tired Mt last of the husks,
trotted forward. The. footman lifted
him In, and he sat with his dirty paws
on the fawn cushions and ate Of the
| fatted calf.
When the carriage reached the IA.
mlllar street the footman was ordered
to hold Anthony tightly.
1T would kill them sweet old darlin's
to see him SO dirty" said the kind
'ANoheSN pNtSoh. ~ thS uOR WuS
carried into the gorgeous apartment
and scrubbed and pcrfumed and dec
grated with n distracting pink bow.
Then the rcd faced lady hied herself to
the brownstone front.
Charles took her card up.
"The person from over there" he
| said discreetly.
The backs Of the two little ladies
stiffcned
Charles hesitated. "She said she had
some news"
The eyes Of the old ladies centcred
with one accord on black draped
basket on a white draped table.
"Anthony!' they exclaimed and hut-
tered downstairs.
When they reached the drawing
room, however, md the vulgar awful
ness Of the person was revealed, they
stifrened again.
But the red faced Indy swept forward
and put both of her fat hands on Miss
Anne's protesting, patrician shoulders.
I've found your darlin' dog" she
| said.
What was thumb ring or distinc-
tions Of caste Mt such a moment7 The
frnil blue veined hands Of the little wo-
men clasped the pudgy digits Of the red
faced lady, and their well bred voices
were almost shrlll rs they asked their
breathless questions Presently Charles
was sent across the street to meet half
way the cockaded footman, ana be-
| tween them they brought in perfumed
and prodigal canine. who barked excit-
edly and licked the faces of the old Ia
dies as they hung over him.
At last Miss Anne sank down on a
| sofa, her cheeks flushed, her eyes
bright, her gray hair flying about her
ears.
Get him n chop, Charles" she COM
| manded.
The red faced lady interposed. Hes
stuffed already" she said inelegantly.
| The little ladies shuddered.
"IIe ought to get out more" advised
the person. You let me take him. I'm
that lonesome sometimes that 1t seems
as IL couldn't stand It." In her voice
was all the wistful longing of the once
| busy woman to whom wealth has
brought unwelcome leisure.
Before the eyes Of the little ladies
flashed vision Of Anthony In the vic
toria beside the vulgar, red faced lady.
But with their other fine qualities they
possessed the gentle one of gratitude,
and without apparent hesitation Miss
Anne respondcd:
I'VE shall be glad IL you will take
him."
Then Miss Angeline made another ef-
fort:
MY sister and will give ourselves
the pleasure Of calling on you soon,"
she said.
The face of the person shone with
delight, for calling acquaintance with
the Hildreths was consummation to
be desired.
But that night when Anthony was
snoring in his basket Miss Annie bent
over him and sniffed:
"Musk! she said, with q shiver Of
disgust.
"And a pink bow" quavered Miss
Angeline.
They opened their windows, and the
fresh night air blew in. Then they
crept into bed to listen blissfully to
the deep drawn breaths that issued
from the depths Of the little closet.
|