The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-09-21
The Venetian Vase
BY ELIZABETH X. HALL.

| side by side on the top step of the
| porch. They were the best of friends,
although Virginia was an eleven-year-
old girl. and Laddie was an eleven
months-old collie; and she could talk
and he couldn't
! But when Virginia, with arms
around the shaggy neck, looked into
the dogs eyes that gazed back so low
ingly and cried, "Laddie. you're the
best ever" Laddie would bark and
rub his head against the encirciing
arms. as much as to say. Thanks, lit
tie mistress; same to you" And one
seemed to understand Just as well as
the other
From the house came the murmur
of voices, where Mrs. Graham, vfr-
ginia's mother, entertained caller:
and drawn up at the pavement was
that callers fine motor car.
The little girl and the dog had beeh
viewing II for some time with proper
respect. and Virginia had whispered
in Ladies' ear: Fine, isn't 1t, Lad
die? But I'd rather have you"
And Ladies' Bow wow certainly
meant: Sure! Those things are no
good, anyway always getting in the
way of dogs and people"
Just then Mrs. Graham appeared In
the doorway.
Virginia" she said, Mrs. Bowen
will take me in to the city in her car
for some shopping. I shall be back
for lunch. You and Laddie will take
care of each other; only. remember,
dear don't let him get into the parlor.
My Venetian vase. you know"
Il wonder" said Virginia 10 herself
as the motor car whizzed on it's way.
why she thinks so much of that vase.
Now II seems to me, there are ever
so many things in the parlor just as
pretty and of more value" And, ris
Ing from her seat she went into the
house and stood by the table. looking
at the article in question.
Yes. Virginia had to admit that 1t
was beautiful. OF pale green, trans
lucent glass, with slender. stem like
base, Ground which n queer. dragon
like figure twined itself
She took II up and turned IL In the
light 1t was almost like the opal
in Aunt Jennie's ring in the vari-
colored tints that shone through 1t.
1t made one think of sea MOSES. and
waves and
Alas, AS Virginia turned to replace
IT on the table the slender stem hit
that tables edge. and on the floor lay
the beautiful thing In dozen pieces.
As she gazed at the wreck there
came a joyous bark from the door
way, and Laddie bounded into the
room and stood looking from the
broken glass to the frightened face
of his little mistress with much con-
Germ and sympathy.
At this point Bridget, broom in
hand. on her way to sweep the porch,
paused in the doorway Her eve took
in the child. the dog. the broken vase,
and at once she Jumped TO a conclu-
sion
The haste, Out Of the house wild
ye, and down came the broom upon
poor Ladies' back, and out of the
room he was pushed and driven at the
brooms end.
Now did We ever!' went on Bridget,
as she picked up the broken glass.
Your mothers furrin vase that she
thinks such sight Of, too. And how
did he get tn7"
II don't know" faltered Virginia
After that there seemed to be no,
retreat. and she had to listen silently,
and as If she agreed, to Bridget's
scoiding about good for-nothing"
dogs who did more harm than they
were worth.
Later. when mother came, It was
Bridget who met her at the door, and
with the broken glass in hand told
HOW -"dtites Lie IdHNts &Ot III
how, and sure it must have been that
big tail of his that went a-sweepin'
over the table. and just knocked the
thing clean off on the floor"
Yes Virginia heard X all and did
not contradict, Even when her moth
er questioned her she only answered.
as she had to Bridget. Il don't know"
but added II heard the crash and
found 1t on the floor" both of which
statements were partly true, but oh,
so far from the whole truth,
"L.addie knows that he is not al
lowed in this room. He must he pun
ished.T said mother. decidedly; and
Virginia had TO see her friend led into
the parlor, up to the table. the broken
glass shown him and then out to John
in the stable. from which later came
such bowls and qelps as made Virginia
stop her ears and bury her head in
the pillows
Poor Laddie' For the next week
he went about the place with tail be-
tween legs and head dropping, and
such a look OF reproach in the faith
full eyes that Virginia could not face
them. He was kept out of the house
altogether, and father even talked of
selling him
The Graham plan was about two
miles out of town. and, although the
family usually drove in and out to the