The Somerset reporter., 1908-03-12
The Ownership
Of Pto!emy
Caesar,
Copyrighted, 1908, by Jessie Morgan.
By LEONARD FRANK ADAMS.

o NeeaessANN%~S~AN~
Ravenor stood in the library in all
the luxury of early morning ncgligee.
A gorgeous bathrobe swathed his big
frame from his chin to his heels. His
feet were thrust into pair OF com
Portable looking Turkish slippers. Be
tween his lips was a cigarette. deep
drafts of which he inhaled thought
fully as he eyed the man in the chair
by the window. The latter was re-
sponsihe for Rayenor's appearance
downstairs at this unseemly hour.
Ravenor's early caller was not pre-
possessing. Indeed, he was distinctly
otherwise. His eyes were small, wa
terry blue and shifty. His underiaw
was weak. and his seedy clothes and
frayed linen were none too clean Be
side him. It's own smart appearance In
striking contrast to the mans general
out at the elbows air, crouched a Bos-
ton terrier
Want to sell me the pup. suppose, y
Ravenor said pleasantly. That's why
you're here, isn't it? That's why you
got me out OF bed at this un-Christian
hour?'
The man nodded hopefully.
Sure" he admitted. II thought
you'd like chance at i'm so longs |
got to raise the dough-
"Where'd you get him." RaYenor
asked sharply
RAISED i'm from a pup. s'elp me"
the man responded glibly. IN !
wouldn't he sellln' i'm II | didn't need
the coin the worst way. | card as
'ow you was open for a good trade In
rs line. so | brought lin round. Els
all right. now, amt e? Stand mp, Ptoi-
envy. an give the gent good look at
YOU"
The dog obcdienty stood up. and
Ravehor's eyes lighted with interest.
There could he no denying that Ptol-
envy was fine specimen Of his breed.
His clean cut head, his well shaped
shoulders. even his crooked little tail
all bespoke that.
"I got is pedigree ere on this pa
per-" the man observed. drawing a
dirty envelope from his pocket.
"Oh, never mind that" Ravenor re
piled with meaning grin. What do
you want for him."
I'd oughter get fifty, au' 'e's dirt
cheap at that"
TELL you what I'll do-I'll' give you
thirty"
The man shrugged his shoulders. II
cant he too fussy. boss he said. II
need the money. an need ii bad. So
long as | know 'e's goln into good
'ands guess there amt nothin' for me
to do hui 10 take you up, though It's
most like givln' I'm to you Mt that
price"
Ravenor counted out the bills aud
handed them TO the man. who ran them
over with grimy fingers and departed,
with a sigh and sorrowful glance In
the dogs direction both of which were
rather overdone.
Once the front door had closed be
hind him. Ravenor tossed his cigarette
ton on the wall
Annie" he said to the second girl,
who answered his summons, Eve just
bought this pup. He answers to the
name Of rtolemy. Take him down
stairs aud give him feed; then let
him out in The back yark. I'm going
upstairs. You may call me at TO-
Ravenor went upstairs 10 resume his
Interrupted slumbers. and Ptolemy.
having Jared sumptuOusly nj the hands
of the cook WAS turned loose IN the
back yard. where he galloped about
gleefulIY. enjoying rare half hours
sport with n bit OF trailing clothpSiine
and making desperate endeayors to
catch the sparrows which now and
again fnttercd INTO the yard.
1t was perhaps three-qlarters of an
hour after the sale that II cautious whiS-
tie sounded from the alley side of the
high fence which inclosed the back
yard .Ptolemy. with yep of Joy. an
swered II. The back gate swung noise
lessly open. Just far enough for the dog
to squeeze through. He was gathered
up by the seedy man who had inter
viewed Ravenor In the library. thrust
uncermoniously beneath his coat and
borne down the alley at shutting run.
Therefore when Ravenor made his
appearance at II o'clock no Ptolemy an
swered his repeated whistlings. Annie
and the cook protested weepingly their
complete mystlfcation In the dogs dis
appearance. Sure, they had thought
him right In the yard all the time, they
declared He'd been chasing the spar
rows and yelplng there not ten minutes
since. Ravenor searched the back
yard thoroughly, the tool house, the lit
tie shed that held the ash barrels, even
the coil of hose that lay In one corner,
but no trace Of his recent purchase
could he find.
After lunch he went downtown TO
put an advertisement of his loss In the
paper. The afternoon being particu
larly fine. he decided to walk home
He had reached the little square where
Norwood street crosses the avenue and
was striding briskly past the statue In
the center Of the diminutlve park when