The Spectator., 1915-11-23
COMpANIONSHIp
By DOROTHY BlACKMORE.

her to take one of his favorite walks with him. This led them across the | Hudson and up over the bluffs of the Palisades. It included country din- l her at the humble home of Jersey 1 farmer, at which the guests sat down with the host and his family and the whole hearty meal, from stew to pie, was put upon the table at once. Since that day Elsie had avoided him, and he had learned from the laughing lips of Peggy Arnott-who knew Elsie well--that the girl was not yet free from the effects of that day in the country.
 You should have known, George, that Elsie Cartright is the last girl who would welcome a sun-kissed nose. Don't you know that her beau- tiful skin is the joy of her life?" Peg gy had asked merrily. And you know Elsie was crazy about you-everyone knows it. she added
 George sniffed significantly. 50 much for my best efforts at compan- ionship with girls" he sighed
 Autumn was advancing rapidly and the wonderful reds and yellows of wood and meadow were drawing Keene to Long Island, where he spent that season. He bought his monthly ticket and began early to commute from his office to the country.
 On the occasion of his earliest tramp into the woods he felt unusu- ally lonely-more so than ever before, he told himself dismally. And then, as if to emphasize his solitariness, he chanced upon three happy picnickers building a fire over which to brew their own coffee. He observed that the girl and her mother were dressed in outing clothes and that they wore low-heeled boots and looked comfort able and happy. He thought of those absurd heels of Elsie and was glad that all women were not so silly.
 That's a bunch after my own heart" he commented mentally as he observed the father comfortably smok- ing as he sat on a fallen tree and watched the women of his family pre- pairing the picnic meal.
 Doesn't this beat a dinner dance all hollow?" he heard the father ask.
 No more of that regular life for me-" the girl sang merrily as she poked the fire. Then she stopped and looked at her father and mother. If I could find a man could like as we'll as you like father and who cared for this sort of thing, I'd-well, I'd marry him, I believe,' she said. But, alas, these men I've known have cared more for ripping foxtrot and good lobster supper than for this simple amusement"
 Keene heard it all. And as he wan- dered slowly on he heard the girl scream: "Oh, dad, chase this dog away, I hate strange dogs. He's after our dinner!"
 Here was another common interest her dislike of dogs and his-strange dogs at least. He had heard of the companionship of canines, but he had failed to see into it. He had never yet seen the dog that knew a toad stool from a violet or a sunset from a sunrise, so he had failed to be con- vinced of their value as human con- panions.
 Nevertheless the incident gave him an idea. He assured himself that he must get acquainted with that trio by fair means or foul.
 His neighbor had horribly vicious looking dog that was as gentle as turtle dove.
 Two days later, accompanied by the vicious-looking canine of his neigh bor, Keene strolled through the woods in which he had seen the trio of pie nickers. The dog had been carefully starved during the entire day and was ravenous. All of which was ex- actly as Keene wished 1t to be. The poor beast sniffed under every bush in the hope of unearthing even an an cient bone.
 Keene's heart beat fast as he ap- preached the picnic spot A juicy steak was being grilled. and even Keene's own mouth began to water at the fragrance of it. And how that fragrance affected the hungry dog was almost beyond description. so quickly did it happen.
 | The dog dashed. Keene dashed af- ter him. They both landed in the midst of surprised trio. Hes as gentle as lamb" Keene kept crying He wouldn't bite anything!"
 "No-he looks like it." MT. Nevin managed to say as the dog made fran tic efforts to get at the broiling meat.
 oh. I'm frightfully sorry" said Keene, almost as earnestly as if he had not planned it all and was tickled immoderately at the success of his ruse.
 The mother and daughter stood aside and laughed long and heartily. We really cant blame the poor thing!" said Molly.
 And then followed informal intro. auctions and. after the coveted invi-