, 1915-05-20
CHAPTER VII.


SnCl JcUcTSOn.
A red rose. while ever a thing of
beauty. is not invariably a joy for
ever. The white bulldog, as he
plodded along the sunny highway, was
SUM 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 so glad to see him that they
threw both arms about him. and then
tied to his neck irksome colored weeds
hat 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
n thrust a dirty pink nose into his
palm.
John Valiant lifted his hand to
stroke the shapely head, then drew 1t
back with an 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 a dis
grace, after all!
With the first sight of the decora-
ton Valiant had had a sudden memory
Of a splotch OF vivid red against the
belted g%ray-blue of a gown. He
grinned appreciatively. And I warned
her" he c%huckled. Told her not to be
afraid" He busted the blossom pains
takingly with his handkerchief and
held it to his face-a live brilliant
thing, breathing m~usk-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. OF 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 its front sat a colored man of
uncertain age. whose hunched verte-
brae and ou~tward-crooked arms gave
him a curious expression OF replete
and dubious inquiry. Abreast of the
car he removed a m~oth-eaten cap.
"Evenin', suh." he said,-"evenin',
evenin'."
"Howdy do" returned the other
amiably.
"Ah reck'n yo'-ll done had er brock
down wild dat m~achine-thing dar. Yo'
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 FEATHER. "Huyh! 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. Il
| thought you were bound in the other
direction"
No. sub. Ah'm gwine back whah l
come f'om. All JUS druv out hyuh
case Miss Shirley done met me. en-
she say. 'Unc' Jeffe'son. yo' go 'treckly
out de Zee Road. case er gemman
done got stalled-ed.'"
"Oh-Miss Shirley. She told you.
did she? What did you say her first
name was?"
OATS huh fust name, Miss Shirley.
Vas. subj Miss Shirley done said T.
me ter come en- git de gemman whut
-whut kinder dawg is yo' got dar?"
It's a bulldog. Can you give me a
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 1t. 1t was nice
Of her to send you here, Uncle Jeffer-
son. You can take me and my traps,
suppose?"