The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1915-07-30
4 CANINE MATCHMAKER
BY AllsA JENNINGS.

"uhsry1ook dog at the back door
Shoo!" scolded Biddy, shaking he,
apron at the stranger. Get ava,
Wild We. Scat!"
What is the matter now Riddv >,
laughed Helena from her bedroom win
dow.
lis mongrel dog, Miss Helena"
Br-r-wow-wop!" snapped tbe
dos mournfully, sidestepping Biddy's
broom.
he is hungry" decided Helena
leaving the window III come down
Biddy." =
AMI lamented Biddy with another
vicious though. futile assault with the
broom. Feed him We will and thin
thereail be no gettin' rid of the brute -
Heieha was patting the strange dog
whlie she spoke to him in a soft tone
MS Dig brown eyes looked appealing
~ at her; his plumy tail, snarled with
ours ana brlers, thumped the ground.
mes an irish setter, Biddy," said
Helena
ohure, he's no credit to the race.
mum! Here, ye good-for-nothing beg
gar, drink all the water ye want!"
blduys 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 An
pietons gate low-swung, wicked.look-
ing racing machine. Its owner. a thin
red-halred young man with very bright
red-brown eyes, jumped out and en-
tered the yard.
AS the gate changed, the dog. living
at Helena's feet. lifted his head
srowied delightedly and bounded down
the path.
Helena turned to, watch him.
Inc red-haired motorist opened wide
MS long arms and chuckled with low
as the big dog clumsily embraced him.
Easy - easy = Captain" laughed
the man. Glad to, see me. ehg Old
fellow, I've missed you like the
dickens!"
captains recognition of his master
was most convincing. The dogs 10y
was most touching tribute to the
young mans capacity to inspire canine
anection. Meanwhile Henry Dacre was
looking at Helena with frank curiosity
in his brilliant eyes.
Il believe we are old acquaintances,
after all" he smiled.
"Indeed?" returned Helena. siff1y
She already hated him cordially be-
cause he had come after his dog. 81
do not remember"
You used to call me 'Red.Headed
Hem and once you slapped my face"
he explained. Il lived next door to
you in Ashley street."
OH" There was a world of recol-
lection in Helena's face. You were
such hateful little boyl" she cried
impulsively.
Finally he went away, bearing three
things with him:
One was the joyful dog, another
was Mrs. Appletons invitation to din
ner, and the last but not the least
vas the memory of Helenas 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 had 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 Appletons
door begging for admittance, and
Helena often enjoyed a few stolen
hours in his society
In the evening Dacres car would
come gliding up the road and present
Iy Helena would hear his laughing in
curry 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
suit and slipped across the
lots to the beach that bounded his
estate. Just as he rounded a heap of |
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 exasperating
candor.
Helena made no reply.
"Of course you saw my shadow on
the sand, went on the provoking
Iouth, sitting down beside her.
Helena was silent
And you pretended not to see me
well. Helena, why do you
pretend you don't like me? Is it be-
ause you like me so much?" he whis-
rered in tone of exquisite tender
ness.
Its because-you are SO hateful!"
he sobbed, and then she did not re-
fst his strong arms, and she even