Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-11-26
DOG AND
DIPLOMAT
BY LOWELL OTUS REESE
Copyright. 1904. by Lowell Om, Ree-

MaSnOlla was one Oh tilDSe quiet lit
tie towns by the southern sea where
many people 20 to spend the winter.
Its chief beauty lay in the wide forest
Of live oaks all about, through which
wound the level driveway, with its nc
companying bicycle path. The seal
knocked laZily at the door, but never
with enough energy to cause the quiet
little town to give 1t any attention be-
yond that Of an occasional midwinter
bathing party or IL clambaking eXpedi-
ton up the coast. where the rocks
We're large and black in the moonlight
and the scene peculiarly adapted to the
telling of ghost stories and the walks
home emincntly well suited to the tell
ing OF love stories which, while not SO
thrilling, were infinitely more satisfac-
tory.
Carleton saw her on the avenue one
morning. He watched her enter Il GER
tain house with mngnOlias in the front
yard. She entered with an air of pro-
prictOrship, and Carleton promptly de-
cided that it was her home. He strobe
away to the nearest drug store and by
skillful diplomacy elected from the
benevolent old gentleman with specta-
cleS that the house was occupied by
Colonel Barclay of New York. and
But Carleton promptly forgot the
rest of it as being irrelevant. incom-
petent and immatcrial." lie remem-
bered the name, however, and he saw
her again that evening-afar off.
lie was Il modest fellow, and he tried
to keep out of sight. However he
thought about her most assiduously,
and finally he dreamed about her. This
was getting serious. To think all day
about II girl you've never met and to
dream about her all night Is alarming
and an indication that it Is time for
you to leave town or hunt up mutual
friend
Carleton knew no one in Magnolia,
and he could not induce himself to
leave. He continued to haunt the
beach and drive and tell his troubles
to the big pointer, who always listen
ed with an appreciative thump of the
tail and Il tremendous droOp Of his
cavernOuS jaw.
One evening Carleton was lying upon
the grass haif Il mile from town when
suddenly the pointer sprnng up with
n startled bark and rushed out into
the middle of the bicycle path, friskng
and ready for rOmp. He was just in
time to collide with Miss Barclays
wheel and send that frightened young
lady to the ground in an undignified
heap.
Carleton ran out In perfect agony
Of cOntrition. ITS all DOn's fault!'
he cried. II hope you won't-are you
hurt?' he finished anXiously
The young lady was regarding her
muddy costume with mingled wrath
and modification. Her face burned
rosy red. and she sprang quickly upon
her wheel and started with all speed
from the scene Of her tumble.
"Ie's horrid. muddy beast" she
half sObbcd. "and II I owned him I
would have him shot" Then with a
who stood hat in hand she swept
around bend In the road and was
gone
Carleton stood benumbed. ITS all
over now" he sighed. Don. you've
done it this time all right" The poor
pointer hung his head and SUNK away
to lie down behind tree and watch
his master with agonIzed, apprchen-
sive eyes He was guilty, but SO sor-
ry.
Carleton regarded him long and
thoughtfuliy.
"Don, old boy" he said ITS up to
You. You've got to be sacrificed. 1t
goes hard with me, old chap. but she
has condemned you. and that settles
it,"
Don wagged his tail anxiously and
with doubt. He didn't understand. on
ly that things were not at all right and
that there was trouble ahead.
When Miss Barclay came down the
next morning she found the big point
er tied to a magnolia tree in her front
yard. Affixed to his collar was card.
She stood for moment in blank
amazement looking Mt the dog. Don
sat down and smiled at her. thrashing
his tail vigorously among the leaves
to tell her he was sorry, but mighty
friendly
The girl approached slowly. Don
watched her. but made no eXtravagant
demonstrations. 1t was n point in his
favor and went far toward cxcusing
his Ill chosen frivolity of the day he
fore.
Miss Barclay laid tentative hand
upon his head. Don looked into her
eyes gravely but made no effort to
presume upon the short acquaintance
by unseemly fawnings.
The girl smiled finally. Whose dog
are you. anyway" she asked quizzical-
ly.
The pointer opened his wide jaws
and laughed with soft, painting
breath. Then he solemnly raised the
right paw AMI laid it in Miss Bar
clay's hand. Curiosity took possession
Of the girl, and she tore the card from
the dogs collar and read it:
Dear Miss Barclay-Here is the bearer.
Eon. pursuant to your expressed wish Of
but confess l haven't the heart to kill
him myself. He and have been chums n
long time. and he is the only being I
know in the whole south. So. while ex-
press my deepest regret for the annoy
ance he caused you yesterday. let me be-
speak for him an easy and painless death,
for he has his good points Very respect
FULLY. ROBERT CARLETON.
"WelIw eiaculoted Miss Rorcloy