Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-03-18
Tins Tactics
By CECILIA A. LOIZEAUX

laid the dog in the open arms of his
pretty wife. She received him enthusi-
astically and bought him an elaborate
collar. He was cute dog. Even Mrs.
RobinsOn-Smith. who lived next door
and hated dogs, admitted that-that is,
she said he wasn't bad for a monl rel
And II must be admitted right here
that the dog wasn't of any particular
breed; he was just dog.
He was soon in high favor In the
neighborhOod, especially with the Rob
inson-Smiths. who Were intimate
friends Of the Jones-B Browns. Both cou-
pies were newly married. and during
the day while their husbands We're in
the city the young wives sewed. talked
and called together.
But to come back to the dog. In time
he passed the stage of puppy fireworks
and was old enough to know better.
Then Mrs. Jones' Browns sister came
to visit her. And during the same
week Mrs. RobinsOn-S Smith had n card
down to spend II month with her. He
was nearly as old as his aunt, who adj
mitted that he was called catch" in
town.
The expected guests arrived almost
simultaneously Herriot with a
large trunk and Jack Marvin with d.
vers battered suit cases. They were
duly ensconced with their respective
relatives, and then the trouble began.
On the second evening Mr.. and Mrs.
Robinson-Smith trailed their nephew
across the lawn to call on their nearest
neighbor. The two young people We're
introduced Ethel. as Mrs. Jones'
Brown afterward said. was unnecessa-
rily embarrassed for u girl who had
been three seasons 'out"
In the horribly irritating way of
young married people the neighborly
quartet Immediately began to talk Of
domestic affairs. leaving Jack and Eth
ei to take care OF themselves. They did
not notice that there was an awful 81
lence, during which Ethel was threat
ened with mental hysteria and was
saved only by Tim. the thoughtful. who
OPPORTUNITY appeared and jumped into
her lap She began to talk to him. and
the day was saved-temporarily. Still
patting the dog. Ethel finally said to
the man:
"Why did you follow me out hereY'
Il didn't follow you" said Jack
promptly. If l had known that you
were In this neck of woods you don't
suppose I'd have disturbed it do you"
Then he added. why did you come to
stay next door to my auntT"
How was l to know you had an
aunt out hereY Ethel asked indig-
nantly.
WELL" said Jack, II guess we're
both innocent, so we need not quarrel
over that"
Then there was another silence. Tim
jumped down from Ethers lap and
leaped into Jacks. Jack grinned.
Mice doggiew he chuckled. petting
him effusively. Ethel knew he hated
small dogs She tried to think of some
thing crushing to say. but before the
words came Mr.. and Mrs. Robinson
Smith rose and said good night, and
their dutiful nephew rose with them.
He put out his hand. and Ethel was
forced to let hers touch 1t for an in
slant, while he said:
so glad I've met you. Miss Herriot.
It's awfully jolly that we know so
many Of the same people"
Ethel smiled. though her eyes were
blazing wrathfully.
Isn't it," she said. Good night"
When Mrs. Jones' Brown turned to
speak to her sister she found the girls
chair empty and a moment after heard
her ascending the stairs.
Late that night Ethel rose, lit the
lamp and took from her trunk pack
age of letters, which she sat down to
read. Long before she had finished
them she was crying softly. and when
she did go to bed again 1t was to lie
wide eyed and staring till nearly morn
ing. She was awakened by Tim, who
was licking her hand. She patted his
head.
Naughty Tim! Did the missus let
you IMP
Rising on her elbow, she saw that
the door was ajar and supposed that
her sister had sent the dog to wake
her
Tim seemed full of spirits Of puppy
hood this morning He would worry
the bedclothes with his teeth. dash
wildly across the room to catch some
unseen thing and then rush back upon
her. frantic with delight
Ethel lay staring ut the ceiling Her
head ached. and she felt utterly miser-
able. She wondered how she could get
away from her sisters house and that
man next door. Tim. finding himself
unmatched. worried awhile mt some
thing he found on the floor beneath the
table. then took 1t In his mouth and ran
or with 1t.
III he only wasn't SO glad" thought
the girl. referring to the man, not the
dog. HE shows so plainly that he's
glad it's off.'
Before she got up she determined to
show Jack that he wasn't the only one
who didn't care She would treat him
as stranger. and she would fiirt with