News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-09-23
Mrs. Collins revealed just a SEM

81 don't think she'd be in any grea
danger" she said tartly, "but il you do
Mrs. Reynolds, we could make room
for her on the sofa"
mo, it's kind of you," Jane decided
"but We'll have to stand it here. Of
course, there's no danger. It's just the
idea"
So Mrs. Collins desisted and Jane
looked forward to the first night she
had ever spent alone, or practically
She ate her supper in silence and with
the fox terrier lying on the rug at heI
feet settled herself at the table and
tried to Danish thoughts of herself by
reading.
Dick had grown into a fine speci
men of his breed. He was an intelli,
gent little brute and good to look at
if one enjoys seeing the evidence of
caste in dogs as we'll as men. And like
all thoroughbreds of his kind he was
most pronounced in his attachments.
He was the constant companion of
Jane, alert and watchful of her every
movement. He had never taken lik-
ing to Brand though that gentleman
in his several calls at the bungalow
had gone out of his way to appease
and cajole him. But despite his own
preferences Dick had been forced to
feel that the millionaire was welcome.
At first he had been openly disgrun-
tied at the intrusion, but Jane had
reprimanded him and on one occasion
had gently chastised him, so now,
whenever Brand appeared, the dog sim
ply sulked. At times he would disap-
pear entirely and not show himself
again until the visitor had gone. On
two occasions, when he had been ia
ken into the auto with the trio he had
jumped out, and even the sharp tones
of his mistress, that usually demanded
instant attention, failed to arrest his
fight.
Some one has said that in our mod
ern civilization there is no place for
dogs. No more is there for some men.
1t is true that primal instincts remain
more acute in dumb animals than in
humans, but the primal instincts are
not all bad. Loyalty and gratitude may
be signs of arrested development. If
so, no wonder we see a menace in
the dog. We are not prone to turn to
dumb pets for guidance in matters
pertaining to our acumen. Yet how
often in such cases as this of Brand,
Jane and the fox terrier is the humble
animal the keener. Suggestion that
this poor brute's attitude emanated
from any power of divination would
have met with instant and perhaps
just scorn from Jane, yet the day was
to come when she would remember it.
The evening was passed in solitude.
Jane was reading something of Ga
boriau's, an impelling, but not exactly
a soothing subject for one who expect
ed to spend the night alone. She was
startled from an absorbing part Of the
tale by that mysterious feeling that
warns US of another presence when
a slight shadow flickered across the
book. She dropped it and started to
her feet with a litse cry. Dick, inert
and dreaming, leaped up and growled
out of mere sympathy, or suspicion.
Caught unawares he would take no
chances; but having quickly estab-
lished his outposts and surveyed the
field of battle his belligerency van
ished. He stood with one paw raised
examining his mistress
face and looking from her to the inter
loper.
That was Frieda. She was twisting
a corner of her blue Bingham apron be-
tween her coarse hands, struggling be-
tween her fear of intruding and her
desire to put thought into speech.
do not creep in in that way,
Frfeda," Jane cried petulantly. You're
worse than a cat"
She was vexed at herself for having
obviously betrayed her fright and |
angry at the instrument of her fear. |
But Friedas inevitable "Yessum" and !
Ter piteously evident intention to give |
ltterance to some idea restored James |
equanimity. She spoke more encour-
lgingly.
What is it?" she asked.
Mr.. Bob. Isn't he coming home to- /
hight?
mo, Mr.. Reynolds has had to leave !
he city," Jane replied with emphasis. !
Why"
Frieda cImpled quarter OF the
Ipron between her fists and shifted
lervously from one foot to the other
Then with supreme effort, she got it
tut.
I'm scared"
"Scared?"
"Yessum."
cat what?"
81 don't know, ma'am."
Nonsense, Frieda," Jane answered
ravely, but unconsciously she looked
about the large room and
hen down at Dick as if seeking con-
rmation of her assurance from his
aim. For Dick had again subsidized to
he rug.
There's nothing to be afraid of,
'rieda, any more than If Mr.. REYNOLDS |