Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1905-03-31
DOG AND
DIPLOMAT
BY LOWELL OTUs REESE
csvyashs 1904. y Ls~sH On Rs-..

Ae towns Dy the southern sea where
many people go to spend the winter.
It's chief beauty lay in the wide forest
% live oaks all about. through which
wound the level driveway, with It's nc
compauyins bicycle path. The sea
knocked lazily at the door, but never
with enough energy TO cause the quiet
little town to give Il any attention be-
yond that OF an occasional mldwlnter
bathing party or a %clambaking expedi-
tiou ~ the coast. where the rocks
were large and black In the moonlight
and the scene peculiarly adapted to the
telling Of ghost stories and the walks
home emlnently 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 n GER
tain house with mAgnolias IN the front
yard. She entered with an air OF pro-
prietorship. and Carleton promptly de-
cided that II 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 II as being Irrelevant, incom-
petent and immaterlal." He rcmem-
bered the name, however, and he saw
her again that evening-afnr of.
He was a modest fellow, and he tried
10 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 a girl you've never met and to
dream about her all night Is alarming
and m indication that II Is time for
you to leave town or hunt up n mutual
friend.
Carleton knew no one in Magnolia.
and be 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 a%ppreciatlve thump Of the
tail and a tremendous droop OF his
eayernous jaw.
One evening Carleton was lying upon
the grass half a mile from town when
suddenly the pointer sprang ZIP with
n startled bark md rushed out into
she middle OF the bicycle path. friskinR
and ready for n romp. He was just in
time to collide with Miss Barclays
wheel and send that frightened young
lady to the ground In an u~ndignifed
heap.
Carleton ran out In a perfect agony
OF contrition. Its all Don's fault!'
he cried. ~ hope you w~on't-are you
hurt9" he finished a~nxiously.
The young lady was regarding her
muddy costume with mingled wrath
and modification. Her face burned O
rosy red, and she sprang quickly upon
her wheel and started with all speed
from the scene Of her tumble.
Hes a horrid. muddy beast" she
half sObbed. and II I owned him /
would have him shot" Then with n
half glance at the AFFECT young man.
who stood hat in hand, she swept
around a bend in the road and vas
gone.
Carleton stood benumbed. ITS all
over now" he sighed. don. you've
done II this time all right" The poor
pointer hung his head and skunk away
TO lie down behind a tree and watch
his master with agonized. apprehen-
Sive eyes. He was guilty. but so sor-
~.
Carleton regarded him long and
thoughtfully.
Don. old boy" he said, ats up to
you. You've got TO be sacrificed. II
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,
" 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.
eF tied 20 a magnolia tree In her front
yard. Amxed to his collar was a eard
She stood for a momen In blank
Amusement looking at the dog. Don
sat down and smiled at her. thrashlnG
his tail vigorously among the leaves
to tell her he was sorry, but mighty
friendly.
The girl approached slowly. Don
WAtcutu Hefs Out mhue no
demonstrations. II was n point in his
favor and went far toward e~xcusing
his III chosen frivollty Of the day be-
fore.
Miss Barclay laid n tentative hand
upon his head. Don looked into her
eyes gravely. but made no effort to
presume upon the short acquaintance
by unSeemly fawnlngs.
The girl smiled finally. Whose dog
are you, anyway she asked quiEzIcal
".
The pointer opened his wide jaws
and laughed with a soft. painting
breath. Then he solemnly raised the
right paw and laid Il in Miss Bar.
elay's hand. Curiosity took possession
Of the girl. and she tore the card from
the dogs collar and read Il:
Dear Miss B~arclay-Hero Is the bearer.
Don. pursuant TO your expressed wish OF
yesterday. Perhaps Il Il n bit eOwardly.
but ! confess ] haven't the heart 20 kin
him myself. lie and I have been chumsa
long time. and he n the only being /
know In the whole south. SO. while / ex-
press my deepest reErot for the annoy
Ammm hw anaranA asan ns.aHawHus NAN mo ~