The herald., 1912-07-25
In Peril

"Ge: OUT" said Brill emphatically,
hut in a restrained voice.
He had no wish to call attention to
the fact that he was abnormally afraid
OF dogs. And this was such a little
dog! But Brilrs fear was not CON-
mensurate with the size of the beast.
1T was the fact that it was a dog that
caused his flesh to creep and his
spinal column to tingie. Especially
did he hate dog that tagged at his
heels, as this one was doing.
He had started out for a walk in
the early evening while 1t was still
light and was enjoying his cigar i'm
mensely uItil he discovered his at
tendant. It made the situation worse
that the animal did not growl or snap
or bark or yelp, but just trotted along
with his nose down in businesslike
manner that was both mysterious and
terrifying in its latent possibilities.
Get odt!" murmured Brill second
time and gave kick toward the rear.
But the animal did not even halt.
II was one Of those fuzzy white dogs
80 designed INTELLECTUALLY that the
unsophisticated observer could never
be sure which end was head. Brill
had the advantage of knowing that the
dogs head was next Brill's calves,
since nothing short of circus dog
could have run along backward so
easily. 1t was the fact that he was
quite sure which end was the dogs
head that especially disturbed him
Brill walked faster and so did the
dog. Once it made a detour to the
edge Of the sidewalk, where it shifted
the air. Brill started to heave a sigh
of relief, but the fuzzy dog rushed
back to his heels alphabetically, as
though to assure him that 1t had no
thought of deserving its post. Brill's
blood curdled and he turned around.
"Shoo!" he cried, waving his hands
violently. Get out! Go away! /
don't want you!" Then he resumed
his walk
Having gone six PAGES, he looked
carefully over one shoulder and saw
that the dog was still coming. 1t was
then that he almost broke into a run,
for he had decided that this strangely
silent animal must indeed be mad and
was merely prolonging his agony be-
fore it finally bit him.
He resolved to appeal to the first
policeman he saw. 1t was a small dog
to be shot by big policeman, but if
people persisted in allowing their
ferocious animals to infest the streets
and there terrify pedestrians they
must abide by the consequences.
1t was the beasts steady, silent per-
sistence which convinced Brill that he
was in highly perilous situation.
The perspiration began to bead his
face and he breathed hard. There
was no policeman in sight. He passed
a woman and little girl, but even in
his agitation he could not bring him
self to appeal to a woman for pro-
lection. He supposed that almost any
map would have looked at the. dog
and grinned If he did not happen to
have the same dislike for dogs which
afflicted Brill. He knew now precise
ly how woman felt in the presence
of a mouse and he resolved that never
again would he jeer at a woman in
such situation.
Brill had gone two blocks with the
terror at his heels and he felt that he
had gone a mile. Unable to stand it
any longer, he whirled about.
You miserable little beast!" he
cried. I'D like to choke you! Get
Quit"
He did not notice the pretty young
woman who crossed over from the
opposite sidewalk when he began
threatening the dog. With a little
rush she grabbed up the bundle of fun
md then glared at Brill.
what do you mean" she demand
"by scolding my dog?"
us 1t yours?" Brill asked, sternly.
well, all I've got to say it that peo-
pie who let dangerous animals parade
the streets ready to bite any one that
passes, have no regard for the law
Or"
Bril- was interrupted by a scornful
laugh from the girl. Fiji bfte!" she
murmured. How could hep
She parted the fiuff and brought the
dogs ridiculous nose to view. Over
that nose a tiny muzzle was securely
fastened.
"oh," said Brill foolishly. IT beg