The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-08

And 50 in time she learned to love him, and called him Peter, and bragged about him to Mrs Carey. who was her nearest neighbor and who did not love Peter at all. Mrs. Carey said 1t was because he chased her pet chickens to death and chewed up the dish towels which blew from the limo on wash-day; but Mrs. Leighton whispered into Pet er's ear, with knowing smile, that 1t was because Mrs. Carey was jealous since her husband had not bought her a dog.
 There never had been any very mark ed cordiality between the two young went to their business on the same trains, and would have been good friends probably. having the same tastes in tobacco and politics. but that each man was uncomfortably aware that his wife wished he wouldn't.
 After the advent of Peter, especially after he began to grow into an age of mischevious intelligence, the neighbor- ly relations slowly died away, until at the beginning of the summer there was thinly yelled hostility.
 The two houses. alike as two peas, and built by corporation, were divid-, ed by a wide strip of emerald lawn. carefully watered and clipped by the two men after work at night and early in the morning. There was between the front porches a distance just great enough so that ordinary conversation on one porch could not be heard on the other.
 When Peter. having chased home a wandering hen, would return with a self-satisfied 1eer on his ugly face to his mistress, Mrs. Carey. running Into the back yard to see why her hens were squawking, would catch ripple of laughter from Mrs. Leighton, and see her pull Peters stubby ears affec- tionately. Being just out of earshot she could get only the caressing tones of Mrs. Leighton's voice. but, being q woman. she could very well guess what kind of scolding Peter was getting.
 MT. Carey rather liked Peter. He knew good dog when he saw one, and Peter was undeniably good dog. Moreover, he believed in the instincts of a high-bred animal; and did not Pet CT. after chewing up his wife's dish towels. stop in his complacent journey across the lawn to wink one red eye at MT. Carey, secure in the be- ings that gentleman would not turn the nozzle of the garden hose his way2
 But one evening matters reached a crisis. Mir. and Mrs. Carey were going to an elaborate dinner, to which the Leightons were not invited. 1t so hap pened that when the cab ordered by the Carey's drew up at the curb, Mir. Leighton was spraying the dividing line of lawn with the garden hose.
 MT. Carey came down the steps of his porch and waited on the cement walk in front, while his wife put on the last, dear finishing touches to her toil- et The men exchanged civilities a little shamefacediy. and MT. Carey lift ed his hat to Mrs. Leighton, who, with Peter beside her, sat reading on her front porch.
 Hello Pete. old boyr said MT. Carey and Peter made a loving dash for the friendly voice. Just as that instant Mrs. Carey, in dainty and elaboarte white garments, ran down the steps. Peter, in his mad course, encountered his masters legs-but true to his race he knew no obstacles and went right ahead, leaving Mir. Leighton in an un- graceful, sprawling position on the soaking ground. A half-second later there was 6 scream, for the hose shot from MT. Leighton's hand and the spray of water went straight for Mrs. Carey, soaking her crisp whiteness to bedrag- gled limpness in one awful moment To make matters worse Mrs. Leighton laughed, and she could never make Mrs, Carey believe was not meant for her, instead of the peculiar position of her husband.
 That gentleman rose with as much dignity as he could muster and offered profuse apologies which were accepted by MT. Carey but not by the drenched woman.
 Mrs. Leighton, who was really cha grined and sorry came straight over and offered her assistance. She cried out with dismay at the extent of the injury, and then heartily and gracious
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