Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-04-18

a moody frown, the stranger dog. a
bull terrier twice the size Of her pet,
escaped from leash and bounced upon
POOR Mullins with a savage snarl. In
stantly there was pandemonium.
From every quarter there came
crowds to watch the exciting match
between the two high bred dogs. The
young man, at the risk Of being bitten
by his own beast, finally rushed in
and, grabbing the collar. dragged the
animal away from Mullins by main
strength.
In spite OF her terror Alice felt a
vague pride that Mullins had held his
own with the big dog. Indeed, the ter
rier bore more marks of the fray than
the wriggllng Mullins, who had at
the first attack torn away from his
mistress frail grasp. A sturdy police
man scattered the crowd and offered to
arrest the young man, but changed his
mind at the sight of well filed pocket
book
Eyer wanter git a better hold on
them two beasts, mister" he warned
as he rolled away. III they git at 1t
again I'll have TO run yer in fer dis
orderly conduct Yer lady frind's dog
IS the better wan Of the two, I'm
thinkin'p'
Alice sank down on the bench again,
weak from the mOmentary excitement.
She could not repress a little smile of
triumph at Mullins courage and bent
to caress the dog. The terrier, swapping
angrily at the end of his leash, glared
at Mullins and growled threateningly.
I'm awfully sorry" began the young
man, with a pleasant smile. but Rags
seems to have forgotten his manners
this morning. Usually he is a most
gentlemanly dog. ! hope the little
fellow isn't hurt"
There Is a little bite on his ear,
and I'm afraid Mullins deserved it, for
hook at poor Rags nosev'
A long red scratch trickled down the
length Of Rags white nose, while an
other adorned the snowy whiteDess OF
his brow His master examined the
wounds with q careful gentleness that
Alice liked Then he pulled the dog
around and prepared TO take leave of
his new acquaintance.
eff there is anything 1 can do" he
was beginning when suddenly the
slackened leash was torn out Of Alice's
careless hand, and the excited Mullins
darted away across the lawn, startling
the confident robins and squirrels into
instant fight.
you catch Mullins If you can" cried
Alice helpleSsly. What can you do
with your own dog? I am afraid to
hold him for you, and yet IL Mullins
is caught by a stranger I shall prob
ably lose him forever"
I'll tie Rags to this bench II you
don't mind keeping out OF his reach.
Usually he's the most gentle of dogs,
but he seems to be stirred mp about
something. I'll bring Mullins back to
you-don't worry"
With Rags securely fastened to the
stationary bench the stranger started
in pursuit OF the truant dog. Alice
watched the chase with interest Poor
Mullins was hunted from cover to COW
er, and after awhile small boys and the
roly poly policeman Joined in the chase.
Each one saw in anticipation Of Muf-
fms recovery a transfer of money from
the pocket Of the well dressed man to
their own more or less itching palms.
Cornered at last by the policeman
and three small boys. Mullins was de-
hvered TO the stranger, who distributed
largess among them before he re-
turned TO Mullins waiting mistress.
He was repeztant Mullins, and be
Ieaped upon her and licked her white
veil with his pink tongue, while Rags,
somewhat SubdUed in spirit, cast yearn-