Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-04-20
A MAN AND
HIS DOG ~
BY EVERARD JACK APPLETON


/ n HARING THORNTON was not an
~ easily satisfied young man, and the
workmen employed by him to repair
and put in order the beautiful old coun-
try place left him by a rich aunt la
bored for fully six months before he
was satisfied with the results. But to-
day, the last carpenter had gone to his
home in the village and Thornton, with
pipe in mouth and hands in his pockets,
had strolled slowly over the lawn, view
ing the gables from all points-and had
1 pronounced the work good
"It took time and thought" he re-
marked aloud, to the clean-limbed, big
eyed mastiff Nero. his constant COM
panion but 1t paid, old chap. The
old place hasn't looked so well for gem
erations, I'll wager. and the result justi-
fies all the time and money spent. Don't
you think so?"
The dog wagged HIS tail and looked
up into his masters face as If to acqui-
esce in both statements and the young
man, with a final appreciative glance
at the great mansion half buried among
the trees. led the way down a winding
little bride path to the river that ran
about the foot of the grounds
II ought to remember where that
swimming hole is" he continued
Don't you recollect how we used TO
spend whole afternoons in the water.
Nero? Or was 1t your father who played
with me when | was a boy here? Time
flies so fast that / cannot separate one
generation Of dogs from another" and
he laughed as he patted the dogs smooth
flank Another turn in the pathway
brought them within sight Of a quiet
little pool in the winding river. and
Thornton struck his thigh apprecia-
lively.
Here II is. by Jove!" he cried. mot
a thing changed The same smooth
rock where we used to Understand.
by the powers above. some one is taking
dip now, for there are his clothesi"
The young mans gray eyes had
caught sight Of small pile Of clothing
resting just where he had dropped his
own, many a time. years before Before
the two had taken another step. the
sound Of steady, gentle splashing came
20 their ears and a moment later a curl
yellow head appeared from around a |
slight bend in the river. while the CLEAN |
Of two white, well-shaped arms showed |
through the water A CHEEKY. girlish |
face looked al Thornton for a moment |
and then the little swimmers express |
sion changed, and with a cry OF sur
prise she turned and started quickly /
for her hiding place
But before Thornton could utter A
cry of warning 70 the child the treach- /
erous whirlpool which he knew only too
well, had caught her and drawn her
beneath the surface. Thornton sprang
to the edge Of the stream and threw OF
his coat He hesitated q second rs make
sure that the child was being taken
away from shore, and then plunged in.
Nero thinking &c some new game fol-
lowed quickly and master and dog swan
swiftly 70 the spot where the child had
disappeared But before Thornton |
reached 6 the great dor rad realized
the seriousness 81 the affair ana as the
girls head with he pale face and the
big eyes closed came 10 the surface
again The intelligent animal swept past
Thornton and thrust his nose under the
white arm nearest him Then he turned
and made his way back TO shore. The
half unconscious child clingiue 10 his
great neck Thornton. too astonished
% speak followed a. fast as be might
and lifted her ont Of the water as Nero
reached the shadows She did not sneak
q move and Thornton. who tad had
experience in such matters before.
caught up his coat. wrapped Il about
her ard began 70 shake her gently
Presently the big blue eyes opened
.anguidly. and the little lungs. relieved |
81 the water BEGAN 70 breathe again.
You are safe now" said Thornton.
we are going % put YOU
e bed between some warm blankets.
and"
He stopped f1r there Is the pathway
above Them stood 9 girl whose fresh.
pure beauty lair,y took Dis own breath +.
away
What fa faupfrs she cried
eHt6fr Thornton
huH OBS arHna What
have van ua and She rap for-
ara Ihuretgr ncHeraf her back
gently Sha was ri Gre water" hp
said .Hn4 we frightened haF. She went
under. and We 81. her cot. shes safe