The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-07-17
CHAPTER VII.
Uncle jefferson.

A red rose, while ever a thing OF
beauty, is not invariably a joy for
ever. The white bulldog. as he
sunk in depression. Being trammeled
by the limitations of a canine horizon,
he could not understand the whims Of
| Adorable Ones met by the way, who
seemed 50 glad to see him that they
threw both arms about him, and then
tied to his neck irksome colored weeds
that prickled and scratched ard would
not be dislodged. So it was a chas-
tened and shamed Chum who at length
~wriggled stealthily into the seat OF the
stranded automobile beside his master
and thrust a dirty pink nose into his
palm.
John Valiant lifted his hand to
stroke the shapely head. hen drew 1t
back with al exclamation. A thorn
had pricked his thumb. He looked
down and saw the draggled flower
thrust through the twist Of grass. "Oh,
pup Of wonders" he exclaimed.
Where did you get that rose?"
Chum sat up and wagged his tail. for
his masters tone. instead Of ridicule,
held a dawning delight. Perhaps the
thing had not been intended as q dis
grace, after all.
With the frst sight Of the decora-
ton Valiant had had a sudden memory
of a splotch Of vivid red against the
belted gray-blue OF a gown. He
grinned appreciatively. And l warned
her." he chuckled. Told her not to be
takingly with his handkerchief and
held it to his face-a live brilliant
thing, breathing musk-odors of the
mid-moon Of paradise.
A long time he sat. while the dog
dozed and yawned on the shiny cush.
ion beside him. or a sudden Chum sat
up and barked in earnest.
Turning his head, his master saw ap-
preaching a dilapidated hack with
side lanterns like great goggles and
decrepit and palsied curtains. 1t was
drawn by a lean mustard-tinted mule,
and on it's front sat a colored man of
uncertain age, whose hunched verte-
brae and outward-crooked arms gave
him a curious expression Of replete
and dubious inquiry. Abreast Of the
car he removed a motf-eaten cap :
"Evenin'. suh,' he said.-"evenin'
evenin'."
"Howdy do" returned the other
amiably.
"Ah reck'n yo'll done had er brock
Jnyrn vriI DOT p,aohipn thipn dor Vo
been hyuh bout er hour, ain yo'?"
Nearer three" said Valiant cheer
fully, but the views worth it."
A hoarse litter came from the con
veyance. which gave forth sundry
creakings of leather. Hugh! Hugh.
OATS so, sub. OATS SO! Hmm
Reck'n Ahll be gittin' erlong back
He clucked to the mule and proceeded
to turn the vehicle round.
Hold on cried John Valiant. =
thought you we're bound in the other
direction"
NO, sub. Aim gwine back whah
come f'om. All JUS druv out hyut
case Miss Shirley done met me. er
she say, .Unc' %Jeffe'son, yo' go 'treckly
out de Red Road, case er gemmar
done got stalled-ed.'"
-Oh-Miss Shirley. She told you
did she? What did you say her frs
name was?"
Oats huh fust name. Miss Shirley
Vas, sub. Miss Shirley done said
me ter come en- git de gemman whu'
-whut kinder dawg is yo' got dar?"
It's a bulldog. Can you give me {
lift? I've got that small trunk and
Oats a right fine dawg. Miss Shir
ley she moghty fond OBJ dawgs, too"
Fond of dogs, is she?" said Valiant
Il might have known it. 1t was nice
OF her to send you here. Uncle Jeffer
son. You can take me and my traps
suppose?"