Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-07

they went on their way to Mrs. Mullard's,
but the only answer she received was that
vexing one, wait and see.'
When they finally came to the door of
Miss Verro's room, Netties curiosity was
SO aroused that she could not stand still.
But the moment her mamma raped on the
door they heard inside the room shrill.
sharp barking.
o. exclaimed Nettie clasping her hands
l ih Joy I know now; r0psy is a dog isn't
Mrs. Howells smiled, and the next mo-
ment Miss Verro opened the door. Nettie
gave one quick glance up at Miss Verro's
face, and then looked across the room in
the direction Of those sharp barkings. She
saw an upholstered chair in which was a
large red shawl, and from under this shawl
looked out tiny, silky head. In this head
were two bright, brown eyes, and wide
open mouth, set with pearly teeth. Nettfe
was very fond of dogs, and yet she felt
little uncertain about entering room
where that one mouth, although not large,
seemed to be having everything its own
way.
Come in, come in" said Miss Verro TAX
ing Nettie's hand don't be afraid of
Topsy. that is only her way Of saying how
do you do? -
Nettie followed her mother. who was al
ready inside the room, and took the chair
which Miss Verro placed for her very near
to the one on which Topsy was perched.
Now, Topsy,'' said Miss Verro. laying
her hand on the poodle's head, you have
had enough to say, lie down and keep
STILL"
Topsy seemed to understand what was
said to her, for she stopped barking at
once, dropped fiat on the chair, and laid
her head on her two little paws, keeping
her eyes, however, fixed on Nettie, who
also, quite as steadily, looked at Topsy.
Nettie was thinking. 1T wish that shawl
wasn't over you. I do want to see If the
rest of you is as pretty as your head"
1J,of hat vrac hf,,l-i nor oFo
no one can tell, but the look in her bright
eyes seemed to say to Nettie:
You are new little girl, but my mis-
tress thinks you are all right. SO you must
be, suppose"
Suddenly Topsy slid lightly from under
the red shawl and landed on her feet close
beside Nettie
co." exclaimed the child. what a beauti-
full doggie!''
Yes said Miss Verro, with a pleased
smile, 1--WE think she is quite the prettiest
doggie in the world and she is just as good
and smart as she is pretty"
The hair on her body and legs was long,
white, and as fine as silk, while on her
ears and tail it was black, and it grew so
long on her ears that 1t touched the floor
as she stood looking up at Nettie.
Topsy spent several moments walking
around Nettie's chair, and smiling at her
neatly shod feet. Nettie watched her anx-
fously, wishing the while that she might
take the little thing in her arms. At last
as if satisfied. Topsy sat up on her
launches beside Nettie, and held out her
paw.
There said Miss Verro, that means
she has accepted you as. her friend and
wants to shake hands with YOU"
May take her up?" asked Nettie, after
she had held the soft pink paw in her hand
a moment.
NO." was the answer, "she never allows
strangers to touch her except on the paw.
Some day, when she has come to know you
well, she will jump into your lap of her
own accord, and, after that, you can ham
die her much as you choose"
Miss Verro and Mrs. Howells now began
to talk together aud left Topsy and Nettie
to entertain each other. Pretty soon the
former jumped up and ran to the farther
corner OF the room, where she began to
praroe about, throwing up her forepavs in
a funny fashion. at the same time uodding
her head so fast and hard that her long
silky ears fell over her eyes and covered
them up; then size would stand still mo
ment and make a noise so queer that Net
tie said to herself:
"She sounds as If she were trying to bark
in a whisper.
Miss Verro did not seem to notice Topsys
antics. She was talking very busily with
Mrs. Howells about some new books. Nettie
was quite used to this stream of bookish
talk and was too well-trained to interrupt
1t. So, she only turned around quietly in
her chair and watched Topsy who now and
then looked at Nettie with eyes that SEEM
ed to say, You are a girl, you ought to
know what I want
Indeed. so plainly was this written in the
little creatures eyes, that Nettie forgot for
the moment that Topsy was only a dog,
and shook her head at her just as though
she was another little girl.
Topsy seemed to know what was meant
by the shake of the head, for she threw her
paws higher in the air and changed the
funny noise she was making to very de-
cided bark.
At this sound Miss Verro looked around.
90" she said, poor Topsy is asking for
a drink. Would you mind giving 1t to her,
Nettie. dear?"
20, I'd love to-" said Nettie, jumping up
quickly.
I'm the corner, there" continued Miss
Verro '.you will see something that looks
like a box with the covers closing on top.
Lift up the covers and you will see a
saucer; then, IL you will pour some water