Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1906-02-09
BELTNDA'S

COPYRIGHT 1903 BY a, N, D. ogden


and oDe-haif years, regarded her new
treasure with n slow. coDtemplative
gaze. A brief past checkered by the
speedy demise OF various cherished
chickens. goldfish and birds, had rem
dored her somewhat skeptical as to the
value Of birds. but this puppy looked
encouragingly healthy.
IT expect you might live as long as
ten years." she speculated, "and by
then I shall probably be married and
not miss you II anything did happen"
AT which satisfactory conclusion she
yielded TO her surging affection and
hugged the puppy close. an attention
which he returned by a series OF damp
kisses from a small red tongue.
But there was still Aunt Lillian to be
reckoned with. Aunt Lillian did not
IKE dogs. In fact, Belinda was not
sure that she had discovered what
Aunt Lillian did Ike, and Miss Fer
fGrs herself was beginning TO have
doubts ON the subject. When her sis
ter's health had necessltated n sudden
trip to Europe Miss FerrGrs had eager
" offered to take charge OF Belinda.
The results had been startling. Miss
Ferrars. filed with conscientious en-
thusiasm. set herself to the task Of In
eulcating the precepts Of wisdom into
the youthful mind, but Belinda. placid,
unmoved. pursued an unimpressed
course. Miss Ferrars sighed. She
had imagined children as clean faced,
curly haired infants with gentle. obedi-
ent ways. Belinda was rarely clean;
no amount Of twisting could persuade
a curl into those unruly locks. Miss
Ferrars began to wonder whether she
had been wise to assume this respon-
slbility. She admitted to herself that
she did not IN the least understand the
child. but she loved her. which helped
a lot, even II Miss Ferrars did not
know 1t.
Now. daintily fresh and sweet I'm the
crispest Of white muslins, Miss Ferrars
sat on the wide, cool veranda. embrold-
erlng some pretty trife. The sudden
apparltion Of a shaggy, painting puppy
in her lap caused her TO emit n little
shrek. Then her eyes met Belinda's
earnest face.
ITS my new puppy" exclaimed Be
linda. II love him n lot, and he loves
me. He will love you, too" she added
generously. Miss Ferrars hesitated.
"But, Belinda Belinda's lip began
20 tremble; a misty film crept over her
eyes. Miss Ferrars' heart softened.
"WelI.v she relented. "if he is kept
IN the stable, perhaps Why, Belin'
da"-struck by n new thought--"where
did you get hlmT
Belinda waved a vague arm. "Over
there" she observed Importantly. "a
man gave him to me. He said his
name was Frank, so that's the puppy's
name. I named him for him"
"What!'' cried Miss Ferrars. She
had flushed a deep, lovely pink; then
the color had faded. Frank! He was
back, then. With a quick movement
she pushed the puppy from her lap.
How had he dared speak to the child
OF course she must not allow Belinda
10 keep his dog. Yet, to break her
wOrd-a thing against all her theories
Of upbrlnglngI A troubled frown puck.
cred her white forehead.
"You may keep the puppy" she de
elared reluctantly, but he must moi
come near the house. Do you under
stand, BelindaT'
And Belinda nodded a blissful yes
From that day the two were insep
arabic. If Miss Ferrars had hoped
that Belinda might grow tired OF hel
acquisition, the hope faded. Wherever
the chubby little legs wandered, closC
behind stumbled the faithful puppy
It soon became impossible to enforce
the stable order; Belinda insisted upor
The constant companionshlp Of hel
treasure.
Miss Ferrars grew restless. Tut
pretty soft pink of her checks begar
10 pale. Why had Frank Halstead CONT
home? Did he mean to stay? This
possibility OF running across him made
her nervous. She fell into the habit Of
taking long walks in the country, lin
gering along the shady woodland paths
She wished TO be out II he called. shC
told herself.
But he did not call. and Miss Fer
rars' eyes began to have a tired, un
happy look. IL only he would go away
And this constant hearing Of his name
"Fwank, Fwank. Fwank, all day long
Miss Ferrars felt sometimes as IL she
hated the dog.
Belinda. vaguely conscious Of some
thing wrong, watched her aunt viii
childish. wistful anxiety. Did auntl'
really not like Frank? She said sh'
did not, but once Belinda had CONT
upon her patting the rough little bacl
and Belinda had seen that there werl
fears, really tears, in auntle's eyes
Belinda was sorely puzzled. She longet
for some one with whom she coulC
consult. But was away OF
across the ocean, and Frank, thougl
striving his best TO console, was NJ
use as adviser. And then suddenly
Belinda gasped under the force Of
daring inspiration.
II she could find that nice young maj
who had given her Frank-if she eoult
talk things over with him! The mem
ory OF the merry blue eyes. the kindl!
smile. still dwelt in the child's grateful
little heart, though since that day shI
had been forbidden 70 go near tn
gate, and consequently had seen hin
no more. He could not live very "a.