Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-11-07
CHAPTER XIV.
Snow and Dogs and Things.

Ghat snowy white carpet which ap-
pears SO magfcally lay soft and muf-
cling over the pavements, deadening
the sound of such little stir of life as
was still abroad at this most silent
hour
A distant chime struck the quarter,
and proclaimed that two o'clock of q
new morning was at hand The wind
was biting and Pedro, blowing along
ankIe-deep in the shifting mass, shiv-
cred beneath the insufficient covering
afforded by the old green coat
With head bent and shoulders
launched, Pedro had gone past his cor
zrer by mistake, and suddenly realizing
this. he glanced up to find himself con-
Fronting building that had often at
fracted his passing attention. 1t was
before the old First Presbyterian
church, with it's snow-laden trees, and
~hfte-mounded garden, that he paused
and turned his back to the flashing
gale Just as he began to retrace his
steps, allowing the wind to push him,
NE heard low moan. as of some one
In pain.
The sound seemed to come from the
front portico of the church. Going up
90 the iron gate, he found 1t open, and
there, and he was about to leave, when
within the dark central doorway some
thing moved, and a CLEAN of white
Gashed out of the gloom.
I'm an instant Pedro had bounded
across the snow-f1lled space between
gate and door, and was kneeling on
Ehe tagging of the vestibule, cropping
about. Then something warm and
naGist touched his hand, and he discov-
cred the sufferer to be a large black
dog with white star on his face, who
EzS as though one of his hind legs had
Been crushed-perhaps by some pass
Ing automobile, earlier in the previous
day His coat was coarse and short,
and sHfs tail, in direct contradiction
Kong and bushy. with white fringes.
Lake half-moons his eyes rolled at
Pedro, and without hesitation the long
R1ss1Ezae was laid into his hand. At the
Touch Pedro's heart leaped.
Good dogI" he said huskily What
shall we do about 1t, old fellow, eh?"
The dog whined a little, and snug
Eied closer. Pedro put an arm about
him
&A~Cpme on, boy!" he said.
! The dog made pitiful effort to rise
and follow him, but failing, sank back
upon the steps with whimper. Pedro
= looked about him despairingly, but no
help was in sight. With a sigh he
stopped and lifted him into his arms, a
10y no means easy accomplishment, for
the dog was at least half his own size,
and heavy at that.
1T was a heavy task he had under
taken. and several times he was
obliged to pause and seat himself in
some doorway for a moment or two,
and before he had arrived halfway to
Rlia destination it began to seem to
him that he could get no farther. Then,
as he arose for a final effort, he
raised his eyes to the building before
which he had last rested, and recog-
Tlized it Leigh's dwelling place.
Furthermore, there was a light in the
Rcu1ptor's window. With breathless
exclamation he clambered up the steps
and pounded on the door
1t was several minutes before the
1ani1Dr responded, and when he found
thai he had been summoned from his
comfortable basement chamber for the
sole purpose of admitting that dago
boy an fierce old cur he fatty re-
fused to help in the animals removal
Co the upper regions. So Pedro did
breathless and exhausted. At his
Knock, the door flew wide, revealing
Leigh. clad in an old brown dressing
gown and slippers. his pipe, as usual
hanging reversed from the corner OF
bis mouth.
What the devil" began the sculp
tor
The dog-he's badly hurti" ex
claimed Pedro excitedly. Il couldnf
carry him any farther, so / brought
hfm In Let us make him a bed by the
Ehuve, Quickly."
All right. Doc!" replied Leigh. gath
<ring up sofa cushions indiscriminate
ny. well fix him up"
FDr twenty minutes they fused owe
%he animal, and when they had don,
1heir best for it, and 1t had gone t,
sleep with its head upon Leigh
Tolled-up overcoat, the two shool
bands
When did you get back?" aske,
Pedro
Only tonight I went around t,
Your place at dinner time, but it wa
Hooked Where have you been ~"
And then Pedro, keeping back moth
Ing but iris attitude toward himselI
gave Leigh full account of the week
adventures When he had done. Their
WAS long silence, during which Leigl
mat staring into the fire, as thougl
i0bsessed by some idea that he was ur