Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-02-02
DOG AND
DIPLOMAT
B, LOWELL OTUS REESE
C,pyustt. 1904. BY Lowell Otus Reese

Magnolia WAS one of those quiet lit
lie towns by the southern sea where
many people 70 to spend the winter.
Its chief beauty lay IN the wide forest
Of live oaks all about, through which
wound the level driveway, with its ac-
cOmpauyiug bicycle path The sea
knocked luzily at the door. bur never
with enough energy to cause the quiet
little town 10 give it any attention be
yOnd that of an occasional midwinter
bathing party or a clamhakmg eXpedi-
ton UP 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 emineutly well suited to the tell
ing Of love stories which, while not so
thrilling, were infinitely more satsfac-
tory.
Carleton saw her on the avenue one
morning He watched her enter a Ger
tain house with maguoIjas in the front
yard. She entered with an air OF pro
prietorShip, and Carleton promptly de
cided that it was her home. He strOde
away to the nearest drug store and by
skilful 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 it as being Irrelevant, incom-
petent and immaterial." He remem-
bered the name, however, and he saw
her again that evening g-afar off.
He was a modest fellow, and he tried
TO 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 an indication that ii is time for
you to leave town or hunt up a mutual
friend
Carleton knew no one in Magnolia,
and he could not induce himself to
leave. He continued 10 haunt the
beach and drive and tell his troubles
10 the big pointer who always listen.
Ell with an appreciative thump OF the
tail and tremendous droop of his
CavernouS Jaw.
One evening Carleton was lying upon
the grass half Il mile from town when
suddenly the pointer sprang up with
a startled bark and rushed out into
the middle of the bicycle path, frisking
and ready for rOmp. He was just in
time to collide with Miss Barclays
wheel and send that frightened young
lady To the ground in nm undignifed
heap.
Carleton ran out in a perfect agony
Of contrition. It's all Don's fault"
he cried. Il hope you won't-are you
hurtf' he finished anxiously.
The young lady was regarding her
muddy costume with mingled wrath
and modification. Her face burned a
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 if l owned him I
would have him shot" Then with
half glance at the abject young man,
who stood hat in hand she swept
around a bend in the road and was
gone.
Carleton stood benumbed It's all
over now" he sighed. Don. you've
done It 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-
ry.
Carleton regarded him long and
thoughtfully.
Don, old boy he said. ITS up to
you. You've got to be sacrificed. It
goes hard with me, old chap. but she
has condemned you, and that settles
It."
Don wagged his tail anxiously and
ly 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
er tied to a magnolia tree in her front
yard Affixed TO his collar was card
She stood for moment in blank
amazement looking at the dog Don
his tall vigorously among the leaves
TO tell her he was sorry, but mighty |
friendly
The girl approached slowly. Don !
watched her. but made no extravagant |
demonstrations. It was point in his |
favor and went far toward excusing |
his I'll chosen frivolity OF the day be
fore
Miss Barclay laid a tentative hand |
upon his head. Don looked into her |
eyes gravely, but made no effort to |
presume upon the short acquaintance |
by unseemly fawnings.
The girl smiled finally. Whose dog |
are you. anyway she asked quizzical. |
ly
The pointer opened his wide jaws
and laughed with a soft, painting
breath Then he solemnly raised the
right paw and laid II In Miss Bar
clay's hand Curiosity took possession |
OF the girl. and she tore the card from /
the dogs collar and read Il:
Dear Miss Barclay-Here is the bearer. .
Don. pursuant to your expressed wish Of I
v
but I confess ! haven't the heart 20 kill /
him myself He and 7 have been ohums a .
long time and - IS the only being 7 .
know In the whole south. So, while eX- .
press my deepest regret for the annoy
ancs he caused you yesterday. let me be
speak for him an easy and painless death. /
for he has his good points. Very respect
fully. ROBERT CARLETON I
Well" calculated Miss Barclay
when she had read it, "Oh, myH' She /.
glanced furtively up and down the
street and across tho way and seemed I
about to run. Nobody was in sight I.
however. save a ragged negro boy car /
rying yalise around the corner. How /.
foolish Of me-" she smiled She re +
read the note and looked at the dog F..
Don wigwagged her a friendly signal .
and the tears came TO her eyes. XIII .