The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-10-29
A CANINE MATCHMAKER
BY AlLsA JENNINGS.
l5Io, Dy IHS MCOitlI6 N
per Syndicate.)

hungry-looking dog at the back door.
"Shoo!" scolded Biddy, shaking hel
apron at the stranger. sGet away
wild ye. Scatl" I'm
What is the matter now, Biddy? p
laughed Helena from her bedroemSwin
dow. q s.ss
otis mongrel dog, Miss Helena"
"Br-r-wow-wopi" snapped the
dog mournfully, sidestepping %Biddy g
broom.
"He is hungry decided Helena,
leaving the window. "Ill come down,
Biddy."
"Ah!" 1amented Biddy with another
vicious though futile assault with the
broom. Feed him We will and thin
there'l 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, he's no credit to the race,
mum! Here, ye good-for-nothing 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 APP
pletons' gate low-swung, wicked look
ing racing machine. Its owner, thin,
redhsired young man with 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 deiightedly and bounded down
the path.
Helena turned 10 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, Ell? Old |
fellow, I've missed you like the
dickens!"
Captains recognition of his master |
was most convincing. The dogs joy
was most touching tribute to the |
young mans capacity to inspire canine
affection. Meanwhile Henry Dacre was
looking at Helena with frank curiosity |
in his brilliant eyes.
Il believe we are old acquaintances.
alter ALL" he smiled.
"Indeed?" returned Helena, siffiy
she already hated him cordially be.
cause he had come after his dog. 81
10 not remember"
You used to call me 'Red-Headed
Hen,' and once you slapped my face"
he explained. 81 lived next door to
you in Ashley street"
oh" There was a world of recol.
lection in Helena's face. You we're
such a hateful little boyl" she cried
Finally he went away, bearing three
.hings with him:
One was the joyful dog, another :
vas Mrs. Appletons invitation to din .
Ter, and the last but not the least {
vas the memory of Helena's lovely,
icornful face as she gave him the tips
# her fingers.
Fate was so embarrassing at times!
TO think she was compelled tc love
dog when she detested his MASTER!
For Helena was just unreasonable {
nough to dislike the grown-up Henry
S heartily as she had the little scamp L
n boy. |
He told the Appfetons that he had
ught place in the neighborhood
nd they often saw the low gray car. n
: Captain sitting gravely beside his
Il 5ter. f,
III the weeks that followed poor Ii
aptain came often to the Appleton's {
DOR begging for admittance, and u
L lena often enjoyed a few stolen -
{ RS in his society. +,
In the evening Dacre's car would 81
ONE gliding up the road and present 1!
: Helena would hear his laughing in
| -ry for the dog. She would sit in v
IL fragrant gloom Of the porch listen a
lg to the rich drawl of his voice as he al
Liked to her parents II
One summer day Dacre put on his
athing suit and slipped across the -
IT. to the beach that bounded his
IT te. Just as he rounded heap of
)cks he discovered Helena sitting
I the sand in the shadow of the n
mes. Captains head was in her
p and the dog was looking up at
,r with blissful alteration in his
{ yn eyes. G,
Oh, Captain, DEAR" sighed Helena. -
ny couldn't you be my own dog?" ~
He could, you know" answered
aptain's master, with exasperating 81
ndor.
Helena made no reply.
OF course you saw my shadow on VI
sand" went on the provoking CT
nth, sitting down beside her.
Helena was silent as
And you pretended not to see me Al
cause--ob we'll, Helena, why do you ST.
etend you don't like me? Is it be
use you like me SO much?" he whis
red in tone of exquisite tender 81
SIS. Co
It's because--you are SO hateful!'
g sobbedt and then she did not re.
4 his strong arms, and she even