Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1903-02-28

he could see those laughing eyes look
ing out through the lighted windows at
him.
He told himself reckless1y that he
did not mind what she thought, al
though his heart was bitter enough;
he tried to look forward to basking in
the smiles of Miss Clara Harcourt.
Keep still, you little beasti" he ex-
claimed, petulantly, as he shook the
basket. 81 wonder If you'll be quieter
if take you out and carry you?"
He pulled out the skewer, and
dragged forth the small wriggling an
imal from the basket Tossing the
basket into a doorway, he tucked the
puppy under one arm and strobe on
again.
But he didn't know that puppy; it
wriggled and wriggled, and kicked
and squirmed, until at last it was &C.
tually hanging by its head under John
Preston's arm.
Then, as John stopped to gather
him up afresh, the puppy made a dex-
ferrous forward plunge, and shot right
out OF his arms.
And with what surprising agility he
moved on those diminutive legs! John
Preston whistled, and called, and
snapped his fingers; the puppy tucked
his small legs under him and went on
at sort of romping gallop. Sudden
ly he stopped, however, and John
Preston felt that he had him.
The puppy stopped near a slight,
girlish figure walking on ahead of
John Preston; more than that, the
puppy, flung himself right in front OF
the feet of the girl, and "yopped" at
her. and made little forward rushes
at her toes; so that she had to stop
and stoop down and pick him up.
John Preston, going forward with
raised hat and with thanks on his lips,
stopped in establishment; the girl who
held the puppy was Lucy Minton.
This is your puppy, think" she
said.
Yes he stammered. HE
slipped out of my arms. Miss Minton.''
Shall carry him?" she asked, al
most in whisper, and Immediately
added: Mr. Preston?"
You're very good" he said lamely.
The puppy knew how to manage
himself, thank you; he was perfectly
comfortable. He snuggled down
against Lucy's muff, and-his mission
accomplished-went fast asleep.
She carried that happy puppy all
the way to the depot. There Mr.. John
Preston, with memory of his
wrongs, suggested that he would take
the dog himself, and spare her further
trouble.
But the puppy made such a fright
Ffsl hEa NJ
yelped and howled to such an extent
that. for the sake of peace. the dog
had to remain cofIed up against Lucy's
mum .-... 49,.
''Goodby. Mr.. Preston, :. said Lucy.
when they got outside their own par
tlcular station. and stood together in
the dark road. And. she held out the
puppy In both her hands toward him.
II don't know what to do with the
little beEgar."' he said. helplessly.
TO-" abe said softly. Then why
did you buy him?"
He suddenly took hold OF her hands
puppy and all at wanted. to give
him to-to someone I'm very fond of:
someone who'll be kind to him be-
cause of me-someope who"
OF course. yon understand that it is
absolutely impossible to make. intel
ligent replies to anyone when an ex-
citable puppy is making soft dabs at
your chin and when you are vainly
striving against him.
But, at all events. Mr.. John Pres
ton seemed to be quite satisfied and
the puppy went to sleep again. obvi-
ousIy content that he had put in a
very fair evenings work.-BIack and
White.