Middletown transcript., 1905-12-09

grlmy, thll-lesS DilIy OH t"0
when he shouldered Miss Payton's studl
door open and ventured boldly within
He cooked his tattered left ear anxio'isl
and gave sharp yap of inquiry that SAID
as plain as human speech could do "
am in trouble. Have come to the rlgl'
place for help ?"
Miss Payton laid down her wet brnsl
and held out her hand with whistle
invitation, and Billy scuttled few step
nearer, then stopped, forefeet wldel.
apart, and yapped again.
"You're the worst looking dog | eve
saw," said the lady not unkindIy, "but
believe you know what you are talkln'
about. Guess I'll go and find out"
Billy darted past the open door int
the hall where he swung around ant
halted to make sure she was following
then dashed up the stairs pell-mell, ano
Miss Payton tried to keep pace with hin
but the upper flight was very dark and
she did not quite like the look of things
''AIust be the rookery we hear about, y
said she, lifting her skirts gingerly, as
she mounted the last turn of uncarpeted
steps.
Billy waited pantingly at the landing
till she was fairly in sight then he turned
and ran down the corridor with another
yap that said coming y and disappeared
past the half open door Of an attic room.
$50 that's where you live" said the
girl as Billy reappeared in answer to her
knock. "Now what do ,ou waLt?'
She could see within Nell-liglted,
low-roofed room a mans figure on the
bed, so still that she was momentaiily
unneryed, but presently, when she pushed
the door wide open and went in, she saw
that he was not dead but merely uncnn-
scious. She looked about for stimulant
and finding none returned hastily to her
studio, Billy following anxiously but
hopefully. Fifteen minutes after forcing
the first spoonful OF brandy between his
pallid lips Billy's master began to show
signs OF reviving consciousness then,
finally, he opened his eyes and looked
straight at Billy who had taken up his
post on the bed, his forefeet squarely
planted on the mans chest.
swell, Billy, old man, what's tronb-
ling your" his master asked in very
weak voice. his hand stealing up to the
dogs head, at Which Billy iowled with
unrestrained delight. Then the mans
glance strayed to Miss Payton who stood
watching the pair with curious intent.
ness.
''Oh, beg your pardon, how did you
happen in ?'' he asked.
''The dog summoned me to your aid
How do you feelT'
"a little foolish in the upper story. 1 /
think it's the grip. 1 got up to work,
and couldn't go it."
''In that case l should advise You to
have doctor in at once, to prevent pneu-
"We don't believe in DOCTORS" he an
'wered sourly, ''do we Billy ~
Don't be foolish" the girl admon-
shed. "You must have something done
'or you. the sooner the better. You sim
ply tainted from weakness"
MAY ask who you are ?" lie ventured |
ientatively.
"a neighbor from the fats" was her
answer.
"Who ever heard of neighbors in city
iats F" lie exclaimed. "You must be
from the country"
"Do l look particularly verdant ?'' she
lsked soberly. "As matter of fact am
rom the country, wherefore l know
little about nursing, and since you won't
nave a doctor I'll prescribe for you. First
II all you are to have something to eat
What have you hand, ?''
mot a morsel Of an, thing. Poor Billy
iasn't had mouthful since-how MANY
lours is it Billy? l really believe Eve
'een sick since Wednesday. That makes
hree days r' |
"oh, Billy" exclaimed Mics PAXTON,
ler eyes Frightening suddenly, as she
topped to pat tile wrinkled forehead.
You're going to have feast, this very
lour-as soon as | can get back" she
dded decisively.
Bllly's feast was just five minutes in
PREPARATION it consisted Of potted ton
ue, chicken sandwiches, waters by the
'ound, and number OF rainbow frip-
'eries usual to feminine teas which. il
safe to believe. had never before di,.
ppeared quite as rapid, as under BiIly's
/
"Reaily | am awfully grateful to you
n Billy's account" the vourg fellow
aid, with an irresponsible smile at the
ature OF the repast, "tl poor old fellow
'as about starved | guess, judging by the
'ay he got around that feed"
Billy was grateful too, but his mind
'as too fully occupied with his master 10
oncern itself about his benefac,ress.
Iaving swooped up the crumbs lie re-
lmed bis place on the bed while the
eef-tea making was in; progress.
''He shall never go without anotI,e,
zeal while ! have bite to offer him.
lid the girl. |.
Thank yon kindly, but Billy is the
dependent sort, you know. He could
OF accept too much from a stranger Il
.'I'll see to ttat,',' the lady remarked
"Now propose to straigLten
1t the room bit while you drink your
a." II
Better not" he advised grimly, fol-
wing her glance about the manuscript
tered room. I'm a journalist, and
lose papers, which look so untidily dis
,sed, are just where can lay my hands
] them at a minutes notice. | tried to {
nish that stuff bit ago when j felt SO I
easily i'll, just before you came in. I'll
ink I'll finish it now, ii you will kindly ]
ind me that yellow batch wonder. nuf7er