The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-07-01
tcontinued.l

'sHis ball." laughed the boy. He always carries one around. We hgureo put the other day that he's stolen al ], least eighty tennis balls this season place One under my bed, another in the hotel woodbox and so on Then -whenever he gets lonely he roots one of them out and hunts up someoody 10 play ball with him. And we usually Co it. I don't know why"
 oAey had left the tent and were walking along the wooden path toward the dining room- Rex trotting just IT front of them, and making them ao- Just their pace on the narrow footway to his At the walks end, the dog suddenly bolted: and with ears tucked backward and tail flying, scampered across to where Desiree was just emerginE from the Hawarden cottage. Caleb joined the girl and her chaper- i. one; and the Quartette started once more. for the dining room. Conover and Desiree led the way. Rex placidly thruetfng himself between them. as they walked.
 aDon't you think he's a beauty 2" asked Desifee. 'sHe's-oh. lookr&
 Al baby, perhaps- two years old. was weaving q tortuous way. under convoy of her nurse toward the tents Al sight of Rex. the child deserted her lawful escort and made a wild. tod Hing rush for, the dog. Six feet away from him she halted. a gold and white au6 of irresolute babyhood. scared at her own temerity. Rex had paused al her approach and stood wagging ms tall. patiently awaiting the next move. The baby eying him with furtive long ? ing. made the first advance.
 .sI1ow-do?" she said. politely. duck ing her head in a. propitiatory obeis- ances at the marvellous gold-reds crea'- ture in her path.
 As Rex did not reply to the saluta- ton in any language she could under stand, thesbaby repeated her remark. shade more dubiously.
 ssYou darling little thing!" cried De- siree He's forgotten how to talk or he'd anSwer you. You want to pat him, don't you? He won't bite. Come along. See. Pm holding him for you, and she buried one white hand in the warm fur of the dogs neck.
 Thna encour aged, the child came nearer with mincing. uncertain steps, ever ready to turn and flee should the seemingly qufescent monster show the uliehtest Inclination to turn and rend her. At length. in a burst of dashing horodsm, she put one pudgy hand on his head in gfngerly caress Rex eat down in the path and with a fnonu- mDntall calm suffered the familiarity The baby with squeal of delight at her immunity, took his furry head to her breast and squeezed it with arms that scarce met about the dogA soft throat. Then she ventured on grand stand play, Looking. to make sure all saw her. she thrust one small finger Into the dogs ha1f-open mouth Rex laid back his ears and rolled up his eyes in beautific Quiescence.
 ssThe beautyp' applauded Desfree. ..sse. Caleb. He's trying to look, like d Nurnidean Hon., He worships chi1- dren. Look at himi" .t
 ssYou forget, -Desireey' said Mrs. Hawarden, in icy pleasantly. "Rex. is not tripe sandwich - To a. rare soul like MT. Conoverss,- even sunset,-to say nething Of q mere dog and a child must yield to the charms of supper. Come. We're all keeping him."
 T had an idee," muttered Caleb. as 2 he passed her on the way to the dim ing room, .sthat. it was 'tother way round"