The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-30
Copyright. 1913. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

Newspaper Syndicate.}
II was really a case OF love me,
love NV dog with Chesterton. No
body who could resist Busters bland
fshments appealed to Chesterton. Ills
soul was knit to Busters by ties of
five years of close companionship-
Hence II was a blow to Chesterton
to find. when he fell in love at last.
madly and without reason, that the
lady of his heart would have nothing
whatever to do with his pet.
He's so big and clumsy she said.
disdainfully the first time that Buster
attempted to put confiding head on
her knee. And you know ! hate
dogs"
Chesterton's heart felt like lead. II
had hoped that you might like Bus
ter he said and drew the dog away
from her silken daintiness. Il think
if you don't mind I'll take him for a
walk"
II certainly do mind" she said,
with decision; IF you leave me now.
Robbie, simply to please an old white
dog, you can go~-forever."
Chesterton started at her. "You
can't mean that"
Il do Her laugh was heard
You come to spend an evening with
me, anu pttauSt NtiA NS&AAA 1RSA
old dog you are going away before
the evening is half over"
Chesterton stood irresolute, From
the threshold Buster regarded him
with mournful eyes, Then he heard
a little sch from Edith. Dear heart, "
ne said. and few to comfort her. And
Buster was presently banished to the
hall.
There he was taken charge of by
Ediths sister, Mary.
Mary was twenty-five and very
charming But the world had not
discovered her charms. Edith. who
was two years younger. and who was
very lovely and very selfish had man
aged to keep Mary IN the background,
and Mary had accepted her position
cheerfully, and she sang little songs
while she stitched busily on Edith's
garments. and she dreamed dreams
while she baked cakes or made salad
dressing for the feasts which were
to delight Edith's admirers.
At these feasts Mary acted as &
sort of buffer TO keep Edith from
worry. Now she tried 10 make the
world run smoothly for Buster. She
patted him on the head and talked
10 him Mary knew why Buster
was banished from the living room.
She knew that Edith would share
her affection with no one, and that
in time Buster would be pushed from
his place in his masters heart.
Mary took Buster out 10 the kitchen
and gave him ham bone. When he
finished he came and laid his head in
her lap.
When it was time for Chestertor
to 80 he went to look up Buster
Probably one of the maids has shut
him in the kitchen" said Edith, and
Chesterton erept out ana opened the
door softly.
A glad bark greeted him, and Ches-
terton had a f1eeting vision of a pref
~ girl in a low chair. BY some sub
tie instinct he knew that Buster had
been making bed of her trailing
gray skirt.
"Oh. / say" Chesterton expos,u-
lated, you shouldn't have bothered
you know"
He's a dear dog" said Mary, and
Chesterton wondered why he hadn't
noticed before what nice voice she
| had.
I'm glad you like him. then he
added. wistfully, Edith doesn't"
Mary said nothing. She couldn't
hold out false hopes to him. Some.
how she felt sorry for this frank
honest fellow, who was not likely &c
return the will-o' -the-wisp affections
of her charming sister.
In the following silence Chestertor
called his dog. and went away with q
vision of Mary's smile and her com.
forting presence.
1t happened after that. that when
ever Chesterton brought Buster with
him to Edith's house the dog was en-.
tertained in the kitchen by Mary.
When the great event of the dos
show came on and Buster was en-.
tered with strong hopes of winning q
blue ribbon, Chesterton brought tick.
cts to Mary.
'You ask somebody to so with
you" he said, land Ill send my cai
for YOU"
Mary asked girl friend to go and
they enjoyed the ride in the bis
motor car, and the sight of all the
dogs, but most of all Mary enjoyed
the welcome which Buster gave her
1t was while she was petting Bus,
ter that Chesterton came up.
Look here, can't you and youi
friend have lunch with me?' he pro-
posed. and we can have a drive In
the park after that"
Mary shook her head. Its awful