The Spectator., 1915-01-08
CHAPTER xv.
Snow and Doos and Thlnos,

P00dO oo ild&ICdlIy lAy bOIt ana mu1- fling over the pavements, deadening the sound of such little stir of life as was still abroad at this most silent hour.
 A distant chime struck the quarter, and proclaimed that two o'clock of new morning was at hand. The wind was biting and Pedro, blowing along ankle-deep in the shifting mass, shiv- cred beneath the insufficient covering afforded by the old green coat
 With head bent and shoulders hunched, Pedro had gone past his cor ner by mistake, and suddenly realizing this. he glanced up to find himself con- fronting building that had often at tracted his passing attention. It was before the old First Presbyterian church, with its snow-laden trees, and whitemounded garden, that he paused and turned his back to the flashing gale. Just as he began to retrace his steps, allowing the wind to push him, he heard low moan, as of some one in pain.
 The sound seemed to come from the front portico of the church. Going up to the iron gate, he found it open. and speered inside. Apparently no one was there, and he was about to leave, when within the dark central doorway some thing moved, and a gleam of white flashed out of the gloom
 In an instant Pedro had bounded across the snow-dlled space between gate and door, and was kneeling on the Tagging of the vestibule, groping about. Then something warm and moist touched his hand. and he discov- cred the sufferer to be a large black dog with a white star on his face who lay as though one of his hind legs had been crushed-perhaps by some pass ing automobile, earlier in the previous day. His coat was coarse and short, and his tail, in direct contradiction, long and bushy. with white fringes. Like half-moons his eyes rolled at Pedro, and without hesitation the long \ muzzle was laid into his hand. At the touch Pedro's heart leaped.
 Good dog!" he said huskily. What shall we do about 1t, old fellow, eh?" . The dog whined little, and snug gled closer. Pedro put an arm about him.
 Come on. boy!" he said.
 The dog made pitiful effort to rise and follow him, but failing. sank back upon the steps with whimper. Pedro looked about him despairingly, but no help was fin sight. With a sigh he stopped and lifted him into his arms, a by no means easy accomplishment. for the dog was at least half his own size, and heavy at that.
 It was a heavy task he had under taken. and several times he was obliged to pause and seat himself in some doorway for moment or two, and before he had arrived halfway to his destination 1t began to seem to him that he could get no farther. Then, as he arose for a final effort, he raised his eyes to the building before which he had last rested, and recog- nized it as Leigh's dwelling place. Furthermore, there was light in the sculptor's window. With a breathless ue up tHt steps and pounded on the door.
 It was several minutes before the 1anitor responded. and when he found that he had been summoned from his comfortable basement chamber for the sole purpose of admitting that dago boy an fierce old cur" he fiatly re- fused to help in the animals removal to the upper regions. So Pedro did 1t alone. and reached Leighs door breathless and exhausted. At his knock, the door flew wide, revealing Leigh. clad in an old brown dressing gown and slippers. his pipe. as usual. hanging reversed from the corner of his mouth.
 What the devil" began the sculp- tor.
 "The dog-he's badly hurt" ex- claimed Pedro excitedly. T couldn't carry him any farther, so l brought him in. Let us make him bed by the stove. quickly!"
 All right, Doc!" replied Leigh. gath ering up sofa cushions indiscriminate- ly. we'll fix him up"
 For twenty minutes they fussed over the animal, and when they had done their best for 1t, and it had gone to sleep with its head upon Leigh's rolled-up overcoat, the two shook hands.
 When did you get back?' asked Pedro.
 "Only tonight I went around to your place at dinner time, but 1t was locked. Where have you been?"
 And then Pedro, keeping back noth- ing but Iris attitude toward himself. gave Leigh full account of the weeks adventures. When he had done. there | was a long silence, during which Leigh | sat staring into the fire, as though | obsessed by some idea that he was un- able to shake of. When at length he | spoke. Pedro thought that the deep l voice had never been so resonant and |