The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-11-11


Mr.. Roft.
"oh. Phoney. listen!" she whispered.
as she combed my hair, Il am sure you
will understand, you dear old thingi
I've such a dear letter from him. and he
wants my answer. Phoney-the answer
would not give the day met with my
accident"
dropped my ears and lowered my
tail. By him knew she meant Mr.. Roft.
But what answer did she allude to? /
looked inquiringly into her gentle. blue
eyes
She laughed and kissed me on the
nose
You dear old thing! will read It to
you, Phoney."
1 And she pulled 1t from her pocket and
read out a lot of rubbish that seemed
quite unintelligible to me. But. then, I
always thought Mr. Roft half an idiot,
and wondered at Phyllis liking him.
Then came few words that made me sit
up can tell you.
Let that poodle Of yours be made
use of for once. II II is to be yes put
on her a blue ribbon. II mo- yellow
one. I shall call to-day. and II see the
color long for on that black creatures
head shall at once beard the lion and
assert my rights"
"Phoney. II shall be blue! Fetch blue.
darling" said Phyllis. with a joyful
smile.
And I walked slowly out of the room
to the boudoir beyond. When brought
the blue ribbon back she laughed again.
But had laid my plans. Whatever
this yes" was to mean. Mr.. Roft hoped
to read 1t in the color Of my ribbon.
But meant him to read mo-" would
show him that a dog .of nay breeding
could be something more than a mere
cats-paw In his plot
rolled over and scratched until the
ribbon came on and lay on the ground.
, Then I trotted into the garden with IL
, and buried II in my favorite corner
, where I hide my best bones.
knew was doing wrong, but Phyllis
would not really mind. and I owed Mr.
! Roft q grudge or two.
, Often when my ribbon came OF usec
, to take II to my friend. the parlor maid
, and get her to put It on again. So now
as I sneaked down from the boudoii
/ with q yellow one in my mouth and me-
/ with q laugh:
/. What. your fine bow OF again
{ Phoney? What an untidy dogi"
I wagged my tail as she tied II on
J For civility lowers no one. and she 4
Y nice girl. Then sat down on the door
: mat to watch for Mr.. Roft.
At last the gate clicked and he came nj
e the steps with light spring. But as hi
I eyes fell on me such a look of astonishe'
{ despair crept into his face that my hear
quaked within me and hung my head.
He stopped over me as though h
K could not believe his eyes, and as fel
h his warm breath on my face l rollet
= over on to my back in terrified submis
J. sion.
: SILLY brute" he murmured. get ur
: Have you been stealing? Don't Civ
c yourself away like that, Phoney."
n He looked at me fixedly without-say
ing anything Then, STOPPING again. h
,. took on my ribbon and stuffed 1t into hi
d pocket.
a That night Phyllis was worse, and n
one could understand why. And tn
o next day she lay silent, looking out @
q her window with such distressed eye
that I could not bear to look at her.
II And Mr. Roft did not come near tn
house. which proved that he had reall
meant good-by.
|. At last could stand 1t no Longer
Surely Mr.. Roft could make things righ
a again. would go to him.
So one afternoon I crept silently OF
n into the road. He did not live far of
and, as fate would have it. came acros
him outside his garden gate. He smile
when he saw me.
why, Phoney! Come to see yor
friend" he exclaimed; you're only Jul
in time. my girl. start tonight"
wagged my tail and opened m
mouth. At his feet I laid the eartl
soiled blue ribbon. He stared at me
amazement. r"Phoney. you're a briel
You're trying to tell me there's bee
some mistake. I'm coming back wit
you to make sure. Lead on, you init
ton Mephistopheles, and may the re
one have you II I'm misleading you"
What a race that wasl felt myse
really warming to him for understan,
ing me so well.
j And, when we got to the house,
crept stealthily in through the open doc
enticing him up. until we stood III
nd two thieves within the boudoir. whe
Phyllis lay on a couch by the window.
so' As she turned her head to look at n
ne her eyes fell upon him. and she crir
me soned with delight. Then suddenly 81
became quite pale. and said. in co
10 voice:
ast Good evening. Mr.. Roft."
He stepped up to her. and held o
the ribbon had given him.
ny Phyllis" he asked, ''is this the ri
re- bon you put on Phoney that morning
'n She stared from him to me. l ere
7p beneath the couch. but kept my ca
- open.
'- YES" she murmured. But"
r,s The words were never said. for with
ery sudden exclamation he threw hims,
on his knees by her side. and took b
a. to his arms.-St. Louis Star.
My ---
my Linen from Wood-Pulp.
lCl r-tf&. aga all o