The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-05


hungry-looking dog at the back door.
SHOOT" scolded Biddy, shaking her
apron at the stranger. Get away
wild ye. Scat!"
what is the matter now, Biddy?"
laughed Helena from her bedroom win,
dow.
"Tis a mongrel dog, Miss Helena"
"Br-r-wow-wop! snapped thu
dog mournfully. sidestepping Biddyfs
broom.
"He is hungry" decided Helena,
leaving the window. "I'll come down,
Biddy."
"Ah!" lamented Biddy with another
vicious though futile assault with the
broom. Feed him ye will and thin
thereI be no gettin' rid of the brute"
Helena was, patting the strange dog
while she spoke to him in soft tone.
His big brown eyes looked appealing
ly at her; his plumy tail. snarled with
burs and briers, thumped the ground.
He's an. Irish setter, Biddy," said
Helena.
"Shure.. hes no credit to, the race.
mum! Here. We good-for-notting beg
gar, drink all the water ye. WANT"
Biddy's attitude toward: the dog
changed at once. She petted him and
! fed him.. and even scrubbed him until
the silky coat glistened.
One day there appeared at the Ap,
pletons' gate low-swung,, xicked-look-
ing racing machine. Its owner, a thin,
nedrhaired young manawith very bright
red-brown eyes, jumped out and en-
tered the yard.
As the gate changed. the dog. lying
at Helena's feet. lifted his head,
growled delightedly and bounded down
the path.
Helena turned to- watch him.
The red-haired motorist opened wide
his long arms and chuckled with Joy
as the big dog clumsily embraced him.
! Easy = easy - Captain!". laughed
the man. Glad to see me, eh? Old
fellow, I've missed you like the
dickens!"
Captains recognition Of his masteD
was most convincing. Tie, dogs joy
was q most touching tribute to the
young mans capacity to inspire canine
Affection. Meanwhile Henry Dacre Sas
looking at Helena with frank, curiosity
in his brilliant eyes.
II believe we are old acquaintAnces,
after ALL" he smiled.
1Rdeed?" returned Helena. siffly.
She already hated. him cordially be-
cause he had come. after his dog. Il
do not remember"
"You used to- call me Red Headed
Hen,' and once. you slapped my face"
he explained. Il lived next door To-
you in Ashley street."
oh" There was a world of recet.
lection in Helena's face. "You we're
such hateful little boy!" she cried
impulsively.
Finally he went away. bearing three
things with him:
One was the joyful dog. another
was Mrs. Appleton's invitation to din
ner. and the last but not the least
was the memory Of Helena's lovely,
scornful face as she gave him the tips
of her fingers.
Fate was so embarrassing at times!
To think she was compelled to love
a dog when she detested his master!
For Helena was Just unreasonable
enough to dislike the grown.up Henry
as heartily as she mad the little scamp
ish boy.
He told the Appletons that he had
bought place in the neighborhood
and they often saw the low gray car.
with Captain sitting gravely beside his
master.
In the weeks that followed poor
Captain came often to the Appleton's
door begging for admittance, and
Helena often enjoyed few stolen
hours in his society.
In the evening Dacre's car would
come gliding up the road and present.
~ Helena would hear his laughing in.
quiry for the dog. She would sit in
the fragrant gloom of the porch listen.
Ing to the rich drawl of his voice as he
talked to her parents.
One summer day Dacre put on his
bathing suit and slipped across the
lots to the beach that bounded his
estate. Just as he rounded q heap of
rocks ne discovered Helena sitting
on the sand in the shadow Of the
pines. Captains head was in her
lap and the dog was looking up at
her with blissful alteration in his
brown eyes.
"Oh. Captain. DEAR" sighed Helena
Why couldn't you be my own dog?"
He could. you know" answered
Captains master. with exasperatins
candor.
Helena made no reply.
"Of course you saw my shadow on
the sand" went ON the provoking
youth, sitting down beside her.
Helena was silent.
And you pretended not to see ma
oecause-oh. well. Helena, why do You
pretend you don't like me! Is it be-
cause you like me SO much ?" he whis.
pered In tone Of exquisite tender.
ness.
It's because-you are so hatefnl,n
she sobbed, and then she did NOT 70.
sist his strong arms. and she even
returned his kisses. so strangely akin
are hate and love!
And Captain shall belong to both
OF u.s." Henry said after an interval
| Might BE Either.