Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-01
Evening Story
PETERS GHOST.
BY Dorothy Douglas.

Newspaper SynQlcate.)
John Gilroy flung on his Norfolk
coat. picked up his stout walking
stick and lit his meerschaum pipe.
There was little joy in his movements,
because this was the first walk he mad
taken without Peter.
Peter had been the beloved, full-
Hooded 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.
Gilroy had come home from a snort
business trip only to see Peters great
collar lying draggled In the street. ana
to hear 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
measure responsible for his capture
because of a trick he had of working
the collar 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 companion
ship of canine friend. In the
drizzling rain his pipe had gone out
and he was far too gloomy to at.
tempt to keep 1t in his mouth. 1t
reminded him of Peter. In fact, 1T mad
been selected merely because the head
of a great shaggy dog was carved upon
It, He rammed 1t deep into his
pocket and walked on gloomily. Even
the heavy walking stick that Peter
loved to carry in his huge jaw irritat-
ed Gilroy because Peter could no
longer beg for the privilege Of carry
ing it.
"What is walk or Preside without
dog to share it," muttered Gilroy
as he turned onto the walk that led
to the seat often occupied by Peter
and himself.
He rounded q sharp turn and fell
back against the stone wall, almost
losing his balance.
There was Peter! And Peter.
seeming his beloved master, had MADE
one leap from the small, incapable
hand that had striven to hold him. and
with a joyous bark that sounded like
the rumble of happy lions, percipitat'
ed himself full upon Gilroy.
Not only did Peter throw his own
huge body upon his old master, but
he partially succeeded in dragging
tho slim girlish figure of his new mis-
tress with him.
"Peter-good old Peter, resurrected
by Jove!" cried Gilroy, and In his
Joy was scarcely aware of the aston
ished and mutinous eyes that were
regarding him. :.
"Bruno! Come here Immediately"
demanded an indignant feminine
voice and then Gilroy gazed up and
into the girls eyes.
Call him NPeter--and he may obey
but 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.
Gilrov smiled and attempted to
ward off the too strenuous greetings
of Peter. His smile Of possession IT.
ritated Patricia to the extent Of bring
ing high color to her cheeks.
F.; II purchased his release from the
pound and also bought his new collar
she informed Gilrty 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
! curve of her arm. She met the pecu'
liar expression that was half Jealousy
and half admiration in Gilroy's eyes
! with an added blush.
Peter is torn between conflicting
! affections he. said, and in his frank
smile Patricia found desire to like
| the master of Peter. 1t was quite
evident that the dog was more than
,A;,J ~ I, old YnoStor vet also