Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-04

"Did you bring the dog. demanded Ross
sternly.
The boy did not reply.
go round to the stable, and Ill bring
the lantern" ordered the man.
Pat turned slowly away.
Wetherton was waiting for him when the
boy arrived in the stable yard.
The man looked about for the black and
yellow dog. Pat burst forth defantly:
"He amt here! The only half of Chatter
what We could hurt be dead. T'other half
be in Paradise by now"
whats that you say?' exclaimed the
doctor. you young scoundrel, have you
hidden him.
NO, amt hid him." the boy answered
huskily. Il couldn't bear for we to work on
him while he were livin'. He be dead. |
killed him myself"
An oath escaped Ross Wetherton's lips.
He had had long search for a dog, and now
the ONLY one for which he had been able to
bargain had been placed beyond his reach.
He seized the boy by the shoulder. you
killed him?" he repeated.
Eyes, | killed him. Oh, knowed all
right that we wanted him Twin; but you
weren't goin to get him, see?"
The doctor drew the boy into the stable
@Sit down there!' he commanded.
Little Pat dropped on fruit crate and
looked up.
a want to know why you killed him."
continued the man. Il thought told you
| wanted him alive"
$50 We did, Mister" replied Pat. Il
killed him cause l loved him-'cause he
couldn't stand bein' hurt. So | sent him
to Mummy. Did We ever hear the story of
as how thief went to Heaven quicker'n
pig can squeal9'
A flush rose to Wetherton's brow. NO
that hasn't"
"Well,n broke in Pat, @once when Christ
was a hangin' to the cross thief hanged
alongside Of Him. Then Jesus says to that
bad man, says He, Today yell be with me
in Paradise If thief could 60, SO could
Chatter, couldn't he, Mister? He hain't
never did no wrong in all his life
A lump rose and filled Wetherton's throat.
Seeing he did not speak, Little Pat went on:
AT least, he hain't done nothin' to de-
serve being hurt bad" Suddenly Pat stood
I'D, holding out his hands. Il come-in-
Clatter's place, Mister. Wouldn't We rather
Experiment. on boy than dog?"
Wetherton smothered an ejaculation.
The child looked so earnest, SO large eyed, in
the rays OF the Pickering lantern!
My stepdaddy don't like me, Pat went
on, "and Clover hates me. So We might as
well give Jed the twenty-five for me. And,
NllSteI, III We IlldhtS up yeI illiIu " liisC ilC,
will We let me go back and bury Chatter?
The holes pretty near big enough now-and
/ swears I'll come back
Wetherton thrust out his hand and drew
the boy close to him. Hush, for Gods
sake!" he exclaimed. Don't stand looking
at me that way, Boy, or
"Don't We want me, Mister? Couldn't we
use me for the human race We spoke OFF"
Little Pat wedged himself tightly between
Ross Wetherton's knees.
"Hush, | said!" commanded Wetherton.
He showed the boy aside, got up, and
wiped his brow. Pat watched him narrowly.
Ross walked to the stable door and looked
out into the night, coughed, and turned
quickly:
do | understand Boy, that you are will
ing to come here to me-" he asked, 1and
allow me to-that is, to take your dogs
place for the money | am to give your
father"
Il had to save Clatter,' the boy sobbed
softly, "'cause he wouldn't understand about
the human race; that is, in helpin' EN-.
I'd rather stay. I'm awful strong! Don't
We want me, Alister?'
Eyes, believe l do replied Wetherton
in low voice. @How far is it by road to
where YOU wish to bury YOUR dog"