The Press., 1915-12-29

her address. Tom cut It out, with the
picture, placing the former in his porte
monnaie and the latter ON his mantel.
There was something in the face and
figure OF the girl that charmed him.
and he never went into his room with
out standing for awhile over her pic
ture. The dog, too, was fayorite OBJ
ject of inspection. The more Tom
looked at the dog and studied the color
marking the more he was impressed
with the belief that he was Wad.
Quite likely he had been stolen and
sold to his present mistress.
One day Toms curiosity led him to
walk by the address given I'm the news
paper and inspect Miss Fleetwood's
home. He found 1t a handsome stone
front residence, with costly lace cur
tains In the windows. The truth Is,
he was as much interested in catch
ing glimpse of Miss Fleetwood as
Of the dog. He saw nothing of either
on that occasion: but. finding that the
house was not far out of his way on
going to the business part Of the town,
he now lived In the city-he fire.
quently made his passages by that
route. On one occasion while passing
he saw the dog standing with his fore.
paws on window sill looking out
wistfully as IL be desircd To he free
Tom could not divert himself of the
belief that he was wad. Presently
this belief was confirmed. The dog
caught sight OF Tom and straightway
began to CULVER with excitement, rub
bling his nose on the windowpane as
IL he would force his way through
Tom stood looking till he feared his
presence would be noticed; then he
went ON.
What should be do? IL was probable
that the lady had become possessed Of
the dog by purchase. wad having been
stolen. Should Tom claim him? He
felt rather like making the dog the
means OF an Introduction TO his mis-
tress.
Tom finally determined ON a course
to pursue. Having looked into the oc-
cupancy OF the houses opposite Miss
Fleetwood's. he found that lodgings
were to be had in one Of them and en-
gagged n room overlooking the street
He usually occupied 1t about the time
Il lady would be likely to go out in the
morning or the afternoon. He saw
Miss Fleetwood go out frequently,
sometimes In an auto, which she drove
herself, but nothing of Wad. He usu-
ally went to his point of observation
In his own auto. leaving it standing
by the curb while OH watch.
One crisp cold morning he saw Miss
Fleetwood come out of his house, lead
ing the dog by a leash to her auto,
and, placing him I'm the seat beside her,
she drove away. In a jiffy Tom was
down and out. Springing into his car,
he turned on the power and followed
the lady. She was evidently out for
a spin, for she proceeded on a road
leading to the open country. Present
ly Tom gave a signal that he was
about to pass her. and she gave him
room.
he had scarcely drawn up beside
her when Wad gave a succession of
joyful barks, and, before his mistress
he jumped from her side and ran be-
side the passing car, barking vocifer-
ously. Tom for awhile pretended not
to notice him, then looked down at him
with no appearance Of especial inter
est, while the lady's interest was pro-
nounced. She motioned for Tom to
slow up. He did so. and both came to
a stop.
Il would like to get my dog back
into my car" she said.
Suppose you call him?" replied
Tom.
The girl opened the car door and call
ed to the dog to come to her. Instead.
he tried to climb into Toms car.
VIII you kindly tell me-" said Tom,
how you came by that dog?"
II bought him."
We'll, you bought stolen property.
He has been my dog for many years.
He was Christmas present to me
when he was puppy"
The young lady demurred Come,
Beauty" she said; that's a good dog;
come"
Beauty, as she called him, paid no
attention to her. He was sitting OH
his launches looking wisIfully up at
Tom and wagging his tail
He is perfect Witness" said Tom.
ito the truth of my story. I am not
going to take him away from you, but
II you are willing that he should re-
turn to me l will reimburse you for
your pecuniary loss
1t was finally decided between the
two that they should return to the
lady's home. Tom put Wad into her
car, but he wouldn't stay there. and
she finally consented that he should
ride with Tom. When they reached
their destination Tom and the girl and
the dog went into the house. where
Tom offered to give up his claim. But
Miss Fleetwood. convinced that he be-
longed to Tom, relinquished the right
to him, refusing compensation, and
Tom took him home with him. Tom
not only regained his property. but
formed an acquaintance on which he
had set his heart. He also in time
won the girl.
Wad lived to very old age. In
fact he lived to be given at Christmas
to Toms oldest son. aged four. but
died that night. the boy having given
him an overfeeding of plum pudding