The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1905-02-01
DOG AND
DIPLOMAT
BY LOWELL OTUS REESE
COpynah.. 1904. by Lowell osu Reese

Ill Copynght, 1904, by Lowell Ohn Reese
Magnolia was one of those quiet lit
tie towns by the southern sea wher
many people go to spend the winter
Its chief beauty lay in the wide fores
Of live oaks all about, through which
wound the level driveway, with it's &C
| companying bicycle path. The set
knocked lazily at the door, but never
with enough energy to cause the quie
| little town to give it any attention be
| yond that Of an occasional midwintel
bathing party or clambaking 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 eminently we'll suited to the tell
ing of love stories which, while not sc
thrilling, were infinitely more satisfac,
-ory.
Carleton saw her on the avenue one
morning. He watched her enter a GER
tain house with magnolias 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
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 it as being irrelevant. incom-
petent and immaterial." He remem-
bered the name, however, and he saw
her again that evening-afarso of.
He was modest fellaW;4ands he tFieG
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 it is time for
you to leave town or hunt up q mutual
friend
: Carleton knew no one in Magnolia,
and he. 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 appreciative thump of the
tail and tremendous droop Of hia
cavernous jaw. 80 - 5.'''
One. evening Carleton was lying upon
the gras% half a mile from town when
suddenly the pointer sprang up with
startled bark and rushed ont 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 an undignified
heap.
Carleton ran out in a perfect agony
Of contrition. Its all Don's faultr'
he cried. 81 hope you won't-are you
hurt 2" he finished anxiously. ... ...
The young lady was regarding her,
muddy costume with mingled wrath
and modification. Her face burned.
rosy red. and she sprang quickly upon
her wheel and started with all speed
from the scene Of her tumble
'He's a horrid. muddy beast" she
half sobbed. land If L owned him
would have him shot" Then with a
half glance at the abject young man,
around q bend in the road and was
gone. ..--> -.
Carleton stood benumbed. 'Tt's all
over now," he sighed. Don. you've
done 1t this time all right" The poor
pointer hung his head and skunk away
to lie down behind u tree and watch
his master with -agonized, apprehen-
sive eyes. He was guilty, but SO sor-
~. :. ~. .=.y
Carleton regarded ! him long and
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
with doubt. He didn't understand. on
y that things were not at all right and |
hat there was trouble ahead.
When Miss Barclay came down the |
next morning she found the big point
er tied to magnolia tree in her front |
Yard. Affixed to his collar was a card |
She stood for moment in blank |
looking at the dog. Don
'at down and smiled at her, thrashing |
lis tail vigorously among the leaves
o tell her he was sorry. but mighty
friendly. ~
The girl approached slowly. Don
her, but made no extravagant
1t was a point in his
avor and went far toward excusing
IFS Ill chosen frivolity of the day be-
ore
Miss Barclay laid tentative hand
lpon his head. Don looked into her
yes gravely. but made no effort to ;;
resume upon the short acquaintance
y unseemly fawnings.
The girl smiled finally. Whose dog
re you. anyway?" she asked quizzical-
?.
The pointer opened his wide jaws
nd laughed with a soft. painting
reath. Then he solemnly raised the
light paw and laid it in Miss Bar
lays hand. Curiosity took possession
the girl. and she tore the card from
he dogs collar and read it: