Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-07-21

} Love Me, Love My Dos s
a1d53596

rlDD0n. But L meant nim TO read no.
l would show him that a dog of my
breeding could be something more than
a mere catspaw in his plot.
l rolled over and scratched until the
ribbon came off and lay on the ground.
Then L trotted into the garden with
it and buried it in my favorite corner,
where l hide my best bones.
l knew l was doing wrong, but
Phyllis 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 1 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 OF again,
Phoney? What an untidy dog!"
L wagged my tail as she tied it on.
For civility lowers no one, and she is
a nice girl. Then 1 sat down on the
doormat 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 Oh me such a look of
astonished despair crept into his face
that my heart quaked within me and
1 hung my head.
He stopped over me as though he
could not believe his eyes, ard as l
felt his warm breath on my face 1
rolled over on to my back in terrified
| submission.
SILLY brute" he murmured, "get
up. Have you been stealing? Don't
give yourself away like that, Pho
ney."
He looked at me fXedly without
saying 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 distress
ed eyes that l 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 l could stand it no longer.
Surely Mr.. Roft could make things
right again. l would go to him.
So one afternoon l crept silently out
into the road. He did not live far off,
and. as fate would have it, l 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. 1 start to-
night"
I wagged my tail and opened my
mouth. At his feet 1 laid the earth
soiled blue ribbon. He stared at me
in amazement. "Phoney, you're a
brick You're trying to tell me there's
been some mistake. I'm coming back
with you to make sure. Lead on, you
imitation Mephistopheles, and may the
real one have you if I'm misleading
your.
What a race that was! 1 felt my
self really warming to him for under
standing me so well.
And, when We got to the house, 1
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 tie
window.
AS she turned her head to look at
me her eyes fell upon him, and she
crimsoned with delight. Then sud-
denly she became quite pale, and said
in q cold voice.
"Good evening, MI. Roft."
He stepped up to her. and held out
the ribbon l had given him.
Phyllis" he asked, lis this the rib
bon you put on Phoney that morn
ing?"
She stared from him to me. 1 crept
beneath the couch, but 1 kept my ears
open.
Yes" she murmured. "But-"
The words were never said, for with
a sudden exclamation he threw him
self on his knees by her side, and took
her to his arms.-St. Louis Star.
"A Sum in Addition.