The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-16

And with her all my pet titbits, my
little walks, my scampers after balls.
So wagged my tail and smiled up at
her
Little by little she got better, and
well enough to comb me and send me
for my ribbons. 1 knew the colors we'll
and always brought the one she said.
But one morning myfeetngs received
a shock Phyllis had a letter and was
very silly about it. kissing it as
though it were a dog or two-legged be-
ing. Still I minded that less than if it
had been Mr.. Roft.
"Oh, Phoney. isten!' she whispered,
as she combed my hair, Il am sure
thing! I've such a dear letter from him.
and he wants my answer, Phoney-the
answer I would not give the day
met with my accident
I dropped my ears and lowered my
tail. BY him I knew she meant Mr..
Roft. But what answer did she allude
to? I looked inquiringly into her gen
tie, blue eyes.
She laughed and kissed me on the
you dear old thing! will read it to
you Phoney."
And she pulled it from her pocket
seemed quite unintelligible to me. But,
then. / always thought Mr.. Roft half
an idiot, and wondered at Phyllis lik-
ing him. Then came a few words that
made me sit up. I can tell you.
Let that poodle of yours be made
use of for once. If it is to be yes
put on her blue ribbon. If no yell
low one. I shall call today, and if l
see the color I long for on that black
creatures head I shall at once beard
the lion and assert my rights
"Phoney, it shall be blue. Fetch blue,
darling" said Phyllis, with joyful
And I waIkel slowly out Of the room
to the boudoir beyond. WhenI brought
the blue ribbon back she laughed
again.
But had laid my plans. Whatever
this yes was to mean, Mr. Roft
hoped to read it in the color of my
ribbon. But L meant him to read nc"
I would show him that a dog of my
breeding could be something more
than a mere catspaw in his plot.
I rolled over and scratched until the
ribbon came off and lay on the ground
Then I trotted into the garden with it
and buried it in my favorite corner,
where 1 hid my best bones.
I knew 1 was doing wrong, but Phyl-
lis would not really mind, and I owed
Mr.. Roft a grudge or two.
Often when my ribbon came off I
used to take it to my friend the parlor
maid and get her to put it on again.
So now, as / Sneaked down from the
boudoir with a yellow one in my mouth
and met her at the foot of the stairs,
she said, with a laugh:
What! Your fine bow off again.
Phoney. What an untidy dog!"
wagged my tail as she tied it OH.
For civilfty lowers no one, and she is a
nice girl Then 7 sat down on the
doormal to watch for Mr.. Roft
At last the gate clicked and he came
up the steps with a light spring. But
as his eyes fell on me such a look of
astonished despair crept into his face
that my heart quaked within me and
hung my head.
He stepped over me as though lie
could not believe his eyes, and as
felt his warm breath on my face l
rolled over on to my back in terrified
submission.
silly brute" he murmured, "get Up.
Have you been stealing2 Don't give
yourself away like that, Phoney."
He looked al me fxedly without say
ing anything. Then STOPPING again, he
took off my ribbon and stuffed it into
his pocket.
That night Phyllis was worse, and no
one could understand why. And the
next day she lay silent, looking out of
her window with such distressed eyes
That 1 could not bear to look at her.
And Mr.. Roft did not come near the
| house. which proved that he had really
meant goodby.
At last I could stand it no longer.
Surely Mr.. ROfI could make things
So one afternoon I crept silently
out into the road He did not live far
OFF, and, as fate would have it, came
across him outside his garden gate.
He smiled When he saw me.
why Phoney. Come to see your
friend" he exclaimed; you're only
just in time, my girl. l start tonight
wagged my tail and opened my
mouth. At his feet l laid the earth
soiled blue ribbon. He stared at me
in Amusement. fPhoney, you're a
bricki You're trying to tell me there's
with you to make sure Lead on, you
imitation Mephistopheles, and may the
real one have you if I'm misleading
you!''
What a race that was I felt my
self really warming to him for IN
Outstanding me so well.
And, when we got to the house,
crept stealthily in through the open
door, enticing him up, until we stood
like two thieves within the boudoir,
where Phyllis lay on a couch by the
window.
AS she turned her head to look at
me her eyes fell upon him. and she
denly she became quite pale, and said
III cold voice.
Good evening, Mr.. Roft.'
He stepped up to her, and held out
the ribbon I had given him.
Phyllis" he asked, lis this the rib
4 bon you put on Phoney that morn
inE?"
She stared from him to me. ]
crept beneath the couch, but kept
my ears open.
Yes" she murmured. But
The words We're never said, fol-
with q sudden exclamation he threw
4 himself on his knees by her side, and
/ II I, ut 9 7