Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-07-21
NnY name is ~Persephone, and 1

Slt SI \ holIC 10 ISCpAOnC, dAu L
INfnI am said to resemble my moth
0~ er, Pandora, who, as far as her
puppies go, certainly holds the tradi-
tional gift box. For all my brothers
and sisters are prize-takers. l myself
don't go to shows, because l am ner-
vous and hate being stared at.
I am proud Of being the poodle, and
a French one into the bargain. IT'S
only jealousy that makes other dogs
sheer at me, just as l have seen hui
man canaille sneep-at a safe distance.
My young mistress is the prettiest
creature living. l used to think her
one Of the most sensible until she got
friendly with Mr.. Roft, who then was,
and l thought ever would be, my pet
abomination in trousered males.
Phyllis and l live with an old lady
who is fond of us both, but she is very
strict with Phyllis, who calls her-be-
hind her back-'the ogre-aunt."
Mr.. Roft laughed until his eyes were
lost when she first said it to him. l
longed to tell him what l thought Of
him, and wondered how he would look
then.
Phyllis had been getting very thick
with this young man-whose laugh
startled me almost out of my skin
when one day she fell from her BIZ
cycle.
l was following her when the acct
dent occurred, and Mr.. Roft was rid
ing by her side. Something he said
made her color holly, then pedal down
the coming hill with all her might
Suddenly she rode over a stone,
swerved to one side. and before l
could reach her fell to the ground
with a heavy thud.
1 scampered to the spot and began
to howl for help, while Mr.. Roft jump
ed off his machine, as white as death.
and stopped over her.
BE quiet, you BRUTE" he mutter-
ed, glaring at me, and l knew that if
he could he would put the blame on
me and say that l upset her.
But of course, l paid no attention
to him, but howled again, until at
last some passerby came and fetched
a cab and took them home.
The house was very quiet for many
days, and l felt .wretched. The ogre
aunt crept about weeping. Once she
put her arms round my neck and wept
over me. l suspected from that that
she was getting short of handkerchiefs
and took care to keep out of her way;
for I do not like to have my neck curls
made all damp and untidy. l was
very neglected. No one brushed me.
At last l was summoned to my dar-
ling's room and crept in nervously.
My heart was beating very loudly and
my eyes were dim with tears of joy.
Such a thin little hand patted my I'M
combed head, such a weak little voice
said: Dear doggie, do you miss me
very much?' Miss her! Of purse l
did. And with her all my pet titbits,
my little walks, my scampers after
balls. So 1 wagged my tail and smiled
up at her.
Little by little she got better, and
we'll 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 my feelings re-
ceived a shock. Phyllis had a letter
and was very silly about it, kissing it
as though it were a dog or two-legged
being. Still 1 minded that less than
if it had been Mr.. Roft.
ooh, Phoney, listen!!' she whisper
ed, as she combed my hair. 81 am
sure you will understand, you dear
old thing! I've such a dear letter
from him, and he wants my answer
Phoney-the answer 1 would not give
the day 1 met with my accident"
l dropped my ears and lowered my
tail. By him 1 knew she meant Mr..
Roft. But what answer did she al
lude to? l looked inquiringly into her
gentle, blue eyes.
She laughed and kissed me on the
nose.
"You dear old thing. l will read it
to you, Phoney."
And she pulled it from her pocket
II re3Q out a lou OIL ruDDlSu InaC
seemed quite unintelligible to me. But,
then, l 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 hat poodle Of yours be made
use of for once. If it is to be yes put
on her a blue ribbon. If no a yellow
one. l shall call to-day, and if l see
the color l long for on that black Great
ure's head 1 shall at once beard the
lion and assert my rights"
"Phoney, it 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 1 had laid my plans. Whatever
this yes was to mean. Mr.. Roft
hoped to read it in the color of my