Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-03-02
A MAN AND
HIS DOG -
By EVERARD JACK APPLETON
lCopyright. by Daily Story Pub. Co.

| try place lett him by rlcn aunt, Id
bored for fully six months before BIZ
was satisfied with the results. But to
day, the last carpenter had gone to hi
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
pronounced the work good.
at took time and thought" he re-
marked aloud, to the clean-limbed, big
eyed mastiff Nero, his constant COM
panion, "but It paid. old chap. The
old place hasn't looked so well for gen.
erations, I'll wager, ard the result jush-
fies all the time and money spent. Don't
you think 500"
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.
"I ought to remember where that
swimming hole u.s." 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 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 1t is, by Jove!" he cried, mot
thing changed. The same smooth
rock where we used to understand,
by the powers above, some one is taking
a dip now, for there are his clothes!"
The young mans gray eyes had
caught sight Of small pile Of clothing
resting just where he had dropped his
own, many time, years before Before
the two had taken another step, the
sound of steady. gentle splashing came
to their ears, and moment later a curly
yellow head appeared from around
slight bend in the river. while the CLEAN
Of two white, well-shaped arms showed
through the water A CHEEKY, glrlish
face looked at 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
cry of warning to the child, the treach-
erous whirlpool, which he knew only too
we'll, had caught her and drawn her
beneath the surface. Thornton sprang
to the edge of the stream and threw off
his coat He hesitated q second to make
sure that the child was being taken
away from shore, and then plunged in.
Nero, thinking it some new game, fol-
lowed quickly, and master and dog swan
swiftly to the spot where the child had
disappeared. But before Thornton
reached 1t, the great dog had realized
the seriousness Of the affair, and as the
girls head, with the pale face and the
big eyes closed came to 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 clinging to his
great neck. Thornton, too astonished
to speak, followed as fast as he might,
and lifted her out of the water as Nero
reached the shadows. She did not speak
or move, and Thornton. who had had
experience in such matters before,
caught up his coat, wrapped 1t about
her, and began to shake her gently.
Presently the big blue eyes opened
languidly, and the little lungs, relieved
of the water, began to breathe again
"You are safe now" said Thornton
reassuringly. 1--WE are going to put you
to bed, between some warm blankets.
and"
He stopped, for there in the pathway
above them stood girl whose fresh
pure beauty fairly took his own breath
away.
what has happened?" she cried,
catching sight of the child in Thornton's
arms "Is she hurt? Oh, darling, what
have you been doing?" and she ran for
ward. Thornton motioned her back
gently. "She was in the water" he
said, land we frightened her. She went
under, and we got her out. She's safe
now. If you will kindly bring her frock
and things l will carry her. She is far
too weak to walk, and too heavy Tor
you"
The girl, whose face was prettier than
ever with Its sudden flush Of excitement,
caught one of the cold little hands In
hers and covered it with kisses. ION,
Margery," she cried, "and you promised
not to go in while sister was gone. How
fortunate this gentleman was here,
dear l thank you more than can
say" she added, turning to him.
ut was nothing" said Thornton. Il
really did not do it"
But the girl stopped him as she picked
up the little frock and shoes and stock
ings, ut was great deal" she said,
land my mother and l hope to repay
you in part, some time"
Meanwhile" said Thornton, noting
that his little charge was growing faint
again, IF you will lead the way we will
get Margery to bed and give her some
thing warm"
The girl colored again at the implied
rebuke and walked quickly ahead. I'VE
are stopping for the summer at the inn"
she said. my mother is an invalid, and
Margery and came for walk. But
she is such little lover Of all nature,
and the water, especially"