The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-12-01
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When Virginia Bought a Dog
Copyright. 1870. by Associated Literary Press
By JANE

SAa>N 9
Want to watch my hand, daugh-
ter?" asked the father, who always
thought of Virginia as a child in
spite of her nineteen years.
Virginia drew a chair up to her
fathers side and cast an anxious
look at Burton. Burton winked re-
assuringly when Mr.. Comstock's eyes
were on his cards, and when a suit.
able pause came he said slowly and
deliberately:
Il say, Mr.. Comstock, I brought a
trife for Virginia. 1t is in a basket
in the passage under the front porch.
Shall | get 1t, Virginia, or do you
want to discover it for y~ourself?"
Virginia dashed out of the room,
out the door, to embrace her pet. In
the meantime, Burton with what
tact he could command tried to ex'
plain and maze light of the matter
with Mr.. Comstock. But Mr.. Com
stock was not to be %appeased, and
Burton was more than relieved
when their usual number of hands
were over and he was on his way
home. In his hat ON the hat rack in
the hall Burton found a little slip OF
a note.
x am so happy. Thank yoa a MIL
lion times. Devotedly,
jimmy"
J Poor little girl" said Burton E
himself as he slipped the note into
his pocket.
The next day Burtok did not see
Mr. Comstock, and when he returned
from business he was surprised tt
find the aog whining in his rooms
There Was no note accompanying
him, and no explanation had beer
left by the Comstock servant whl
had delivered him.
The next day Mr.. Comstock sum
moned the young man to his Office.
He looked at him with an expires
sion that was expected to carry will
it utter scorn, but which, in spite o.
itself, showed a grain of amusement
Then he cleared his throat and rose.
See here. young man." he began
solemnly. rs this honest? Is 1t fair
When l have been entertaining yol
in my house as a gentleman, and hav'
cared for you as a son!"
Burton actually turned pale will
alarm, for he was in a difficult posi-
ton and could think of no means o
escape.
"Tf you cared for the girl-mer'
child like that-you should hav'
told me"
at was a mere %trifie," stammere'
Burton. Il thought she might car
for the dog"
"a mere trifle. indeed" broke II
Mr.. Cemstock. Il guess ] know tn
value of a dog as well as any n else
That dog is a thoroughbred. ard
know it. Don't try to fool me-"
Mr.. Comstock had worked hinssel
into sucn a state of indignation tha
the grain of amusement had disar
peared. Any explanation on Burton
part had he had any to make, woul,
basb been useless, and the youns
ma slipped out of the room to tkinl
over the unfortunate affair.
As Burton thought the matter over
it occurred to him that really til,
most embarrassing problem he had I.
solve was concerned with Virgipi;
and not with Mr.. Comstock. The dos
for Which she had spent her hoardet
birthday money was In his posses
sion, and she was in the meantime
without dog and without money.
AS he could not retur the dog
he could return the money. and 1
war with this conviction that h,
counted out five ten-dollar bills from
bis wallet and folded them into al
envelope. He could get 1t to hei
somehow, though he wasn't sur how
Then a note came from Virginia. She
thanked him again for his kindness
Il have a great idea about the dog
she went on to say. IF you vii
keep him i can still manage to see
him. Could you send some one oui
in the park with him in the morning
before father is up? / will meet him
there, and then perhaps l "a thinl
of some place to send him, where
can visit him."
This seemed to Burton a fairly
good scheme, and as he put the fifty
dollars back into his wallet he de
cided to conduct the dog to the park
himself the next morning.
It was decided that for the present
at least. Burton should keep the dog
and for two weeks Virginia and the
young man arose early for a morning
stroll in the park. At first the dog
was the chief object of interest, but
when OF the fourteenth day Burton
in his hurry forgot the dog entirely.
Virginia did not notice the OMISSION,
do you remember. jimmy" Burton
asked her. when you wanted me to
give you that rascal of a terrier. do
you remsmber how you went about
it?"
Virginia denied any recollection
with a rSetty toss of her pretty head.
You tnace me promise to do it be-
fore you ted me what it was. Now
want yen tss say yes to what | have
to ask"
EYES," ssid Virginia, promptly.
Now tSll that 1t is"
Jimmy. I want you to marry me"
Burton loo8ed down laughing int
virginia's hlashing face.
Joltv-