The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-22
TIE EVENING STORY
Peters Ghost.
(By Dorothy Douglass

stick and lit his meerschaum pipe.
There was little joy in his move
ments, because this was the first
walk he had taken without Peter.
Peter had been the beloved full
b1ooded mongrel belonging to Gilroy,
and had resembled nothing so much
as an overgrown calf not only in
bulk but also in grace of movement.
But Peter was no longer.
Czilroy had come home from a short
business trip only to see Peters great
collar lying draggled in the street, and
to hear a small urchin's story of hav-
ing seen the pound man" leading
Peter into the wagon.
Gilroy ground his teeth. He would
have enjoyed having that man by the
neck. Deep in his heart he knew
that Peter must have been in a meas
ure responsible for his capture because
of trick he had of working the col
lar from his neck. Peter had always
loathed restraint of any kind.
The poundmaster had no doubt dis
posed of Peter; those things were
speedily attended to and Gilroy be-
moaned the loss of his dog more than
he thought possible.
The day was rainy and fog-hung.
Gilroy began to feel that some
where in that dog kingdom Peter
was missing him even as he missed
Peter. He turned on to Riverside
drive and found himself glowering at
every person-man, woman or child
who claimed the companionShip of
canine friend. In the drizzling rain
his pipe had gone out and he was far
too gloomy to attempt to keep it in
his mouth. 1t reminded him of Peter.
In fact it had been selected merely
because the head of of a great shaggy
dog was carved upon it. He rammed
it deep into his pocket and walked on
gloomily. Even the heavy walking
stick that Peter loved to carry in his
huge jaw irritated Gilroy because
Peter could no longer beg for the
privilege of carrying it.
What is a walk or a fireside with
out dog to share it?'' muttered Gill
roy as he turned onto the walk that
led to the seat often occupied by Peter
and himself
He rounded sharp turn and fell
back against the stone wall almost
losing his balance.
There was Peter! And Peter scent
ing his beloved master, had made one
leap from the small, incapable hand
that had striven to hold him, and with
joyous bark that sounded like the
rumble of happy lions. precipitated
himself full upon Gi1roy.
Not only did Peter throw his own
huge body upon his old master, but
he partially succeeded in dragging the
slim girlish figure of his new mistress
with him.
"Peter-good old Peter resurrected
by Jovel' cried Gilroy, and in his
joy was scarcely aware of the aston
ished ano mutinous eyes that were re-
garding him.
Bruno! Come here immediately"
demanded an indignant feminine voice
and then Gilroy gazed up and into the
girls eyes.
call him Peter-and he may obey
but I doubt it, said Gilroy, and
raised his tweed cap. He is my dog
and his name is Peter
II beg your pardon. He is my dog
and his name is Brunei" flashed back
Patricia Goodrich.
Gilroy smiled and attempted to ward
off the too strenuous greetings of
Peter. His smile of possession irritat-
ed Patricia to the extent of bringing a
high color to her cheeks
ST purchased his release from the
pound and also bought his new COL
lar" she Informed Gilroy with her
nose well in the air. Then she smiled,
for Peter had slipped back to her side
and pushed his great nose within the
culiar expression that was half jealousy
and half admiration in Gilroy's eyes
with an added blush.
Peter is torn between conflicting af-
fections,'' he said, and in his frank
smile Patricia found a desire to like
the master of Peter. 1t was quite
evident that the dog was more than
partial to his old master, yet also
found certain happiness with his new
mistress.
Peter hates LEASH" said GiIroy.
81 did not intend to keep him on
one-it was only until he grew to like
me well enough to come with me-" ad-
mitted Patricia.
81 doubt if Peter would find that
difficult" thought Gilroy. Aloud he
said:
But why in this broad green earth
did you select Peter for a lapdog :?
He hasn't one ounce of decent, re-
spectacle blood in his entire cow-Iike
frame Have you Peter-old boy?" He
stroked the dogs head with a touch
that brought twinge of jealousy as
keen as it was unexpected into Pa
ly caught her expression and won
dered at it.
You should have picked out a King
Charles and put a pink bow on his
neck-instead of this elephant" he told
her.
Il detest small dogs and 1 abhor pink
bows flashed Patricia with scarcely
depressed merriment. II like tiny dogs
as little as / like small men"
Gilroy unconsciously glanced down at
the satisfactory distance between his
own eyes and the ground. When he
again met Patricia's eyes they were
laughing frankly.
But this is not settling the question
of ownership of Pet-Bunro," Gilroy
said, and put his hand again on the
dogs head. All unconsciously Patricia
too, claimed to the right to fondle
the dog. and her hand touched that of
Gilroy they drew swiftly apart.
"Oh-h-p1ease call him Peter" put in
the girl quickly. and her eyes remain
ed hidden. Il wouldn't be happy with
him if / thought you were missing him
so much"
And could not be happy with him