The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1906-04-13

would be sure to find out, and Ia die
before l let her know"
81 might put the dog in pawn" he
suggested whimsically. "Poor Bruce IS
about all the light fingered gentry left
me-
He regarded the ragged little fellow
with affectionate interest. The dog had
been his dead brothers pet, and, while
his rough coat gave him a ~shockingly
di%sreputable appearance, Bruce was
clever beyond the run of dogs.
During his brothers last illness Bal
lington had taught the dog q score Of
clever tricks for the invalid's muse
ment. and Bruce was proud Of his ac-
complishments. Feeling that he was
being made the subject of the CONVEX
sation. the little fellow gravcly turned
q somerSault and sat up on his launch
es. For a moment Darlington regarded
his pets accomplishment with specula-
tive eye.
do you mind if l leave you a little
while?' he asked.
you are not going to the Bruntons?'
she demanded suspiciously.
"My word of honor he said simply.
MAY l suggest that you get yourself a
cup of tea at the lttel?' 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 a light lunch and started back to
the station.
The special excursion trains were
pulling out Of the station now, and the
platform was crowded with tired pleas
ure seekers. Off at one side a large
crowd had gathered, and, finding that
B%allington was not in the station, she
strolled over to see what the attraction
might be.
With a gasp she saw that Ballington
was putting Bruce through his tricks
for the edification of the crowd, and
with a sudden rush Of anger she Won
dered If he had been drinking. Then
with a revulsion of feeling she saw him
gravely remove his hat and pass it
around the crowd. Most of them melt
ed away, but many of them stopped to
drop q coin in the hat and pet the dog.
At last they were all zone, and with a
flushed face she was looking straight
into Ballington's laughing eyes.
I've got enough for the fares and the
Pullman seats" he said as he came to-
ward her. Behold Bruce, the rescuer
Of damsels in Distress
She caught the dog up in her arms
and hid her moist eyes in his shaggy
coat. Slowly she turned toward the
station, but Ballington laid a hand
upon her arm.
:" would suggest" he said, that
since u 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 We're gon 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 I rather enjoyed it?'
he confessed. 81 think Bruce did too.
He shall have his reward tonight in 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 hand. II refused Won
the other day because l was afraid you
were too dandified TO be human" she
said softly. II know better now. Will
you ask me again?"
But there was no need to ask. Eyes
spoke to eyes, and each knew the 9TH
er's message.