Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-02-15
would be sure to find out, and I'd de before l let her know"

Il might put the t,lg in pawn" he suggested whimSicai.y. Poor Bruce is abort al! the light fin.ere>, ge4t:y left me"
 He regarded the ragged little fellow with atfectionate interest. The dog had been his dead brothers pet and, while his rough coat gave him q shockin9ly disreputable appearance, Bruce was clever beyond the run of dogs.
 During his brothers last illness Bal lington had taught the dog d score ot clever tricks for the nvalid's amu4c- i ment. and Bruce was proud of his aI- complishments. Feeling that he wa, being made the subject of the convcr- sation, the little fellow gravcly ,urnel somersault and sat up on his haunch es. For a moment Ballington regarded his pets accomplishment with specuia tive eye
 Do you mind if leave you a little while?" he asked.
 You are not going to the Bruntcns?' she demanded suspiciously.
 My word of honor" he said simply May suggest that you get yourself a cup of tea at the hoteli' He placed some coins in her hand and with a bow strOlled out of the station.
 1t was difficult to get anything at the hotel with the fair goers invading the place, but at last she succeeded in get ting light lunch and started back to the station.
 The special excursion trains were pulling out of the station now, and lhe platform was crowded with tired pleas ure seekers. Off at one side a largo crowd had gathered. and. finding that Ballinyton was not in the station. she strolled over to see what the attraction might be-
 With gasp she saw that Ballington was putting Bruce through his tricks for the edification of the crowd. and with sudden rush of anger she won- dered if he had been drinking. Then with revulsion of feeling she saw him grayely remove his hat and pass it around the crowd. Most of them melt ed away, but many of them stopped to drop coin in the hat and pet the dog At last they were all gone, and with flushed face she was looking straight into BallingtoH's laughing eyes,
 "lvc got enough for the fares and the Pullman seats" he said as he came to ward her. "Rehoid Bruce. the rescuer of damseL, in distr1$+'
 She caught tAA {. T. un in hey arltl, ahy, hid hen most a,.es in his shaggy coat. Slowly sh" ta"J.es; tov,ir,, the station. but Hal;ilig,en laid hant. upon her ail:j
 II woul' 5'Gggast," he said. that since our train is not due for an hour yet and as these excursion trains will be out of the way by then it might prove less embarrassing to you if you waited until they were gone They might recognize your travelling compan ion"
 And to think I might have spared you this If had let you telephone the Bruntons.' she said penitently Bal lington laughed.
 Do you know l rather enjoyed iti. he confessed, II think Bruce did too He shall have his reward tonight ill the best chicken to be had in the market" :"
 And you?" she asked
 II shall have the satisfaction of knowing that we have fooled Mrs Brunton.' he laughed carelessly
 She held out her band "I refused YOU the other day because was afraid you were too dandi fled to be human." sbe said softly. T know better now. Will you ask me againi''
 But there was no need to ask Eyes spoke to eyes, and each knew the oth- CTS message