Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-10-12

Gordon walked n%ervously up and
down the grass at the side of the track.
a~nxiously each way for sign OF
1.-THE wrecking train. The thought OF
EJuiia did occur to him. put he put it I'M
f~patiently away. for he knew just how
[poorly Julia would bear a delay on a
f%journey even in his He had
been with her once when the engine
got off the track on q short trip down
to Il Virginia house-party. and she was
the most impatient creature alive. al
though it mattered not one Whit to I'M
Eof the rest of the party whether they
kmade merry on the train or at their
friends house. And yet, if Julia We're
kanything at all to him., would not he
Hike the thought of her cornpanionship
know?
A great white dog hobbled up to him
and faWned upon him as he turned to
go back to the train, and he laid his
[hand kindly upon the animals head.
and noted the wistful eyes upon his
face. He was a noble dog, and Gordon
stood for a momen fondling him. Then
he turned impatiently and tramped
back to the car again. But when he
reached the steps he found that the dog
had followed him.
Gordon frowned, half in
half III amusement, and sitting down on
a log by the wayside he took the dogs
pink nozzle into his hands, caressing
the hite fur above it gently.
The dog whined happily. and Gordon
meditated. How long would the train
wait? Mould he miss getting to New
York in time for the dinner? Would he
miss the chance to rise in his chiefs
good graces? The chief would expect
him to get to New York some other way
if the train We're delayed. How long
ought he to wait on possibilities?
All at once he SAW the conductor ana
I tilill1p1 .rnry,irc t,.,,L h.,rrtall-r .r,tl-
entity the train was about to start. With
a final kindly stroke of the white head.
lie called IL worllmen nearby, handle
him half a dollar to hold the dog, and
sprang on board.
He had scarcely settled himself into
ms chair, however, before the dog came
rushing up the aisle from the other
II of the car, and ~precipitated himself
muddy and noisily upon him.
With haste and perturbation Gordan
hurried the dog to the door and tried to
fling him off. but the poor creature
pulled back and chung to the platform
yelplng piteously.
Just then the conductor came from
the other car and looked at him curl
ously.
No dogs allowed in these cars" he
said gruffly.
that rule wish you would" said Cor
don. I'm sure l don't know what to
do with him"
Where has he been since you left
Washington" asked the grim d
tor with suspicion in his eyes.
81 certainly haven't had him Sc
creted about me, a dog of that size"
remarked the young man dryly. BE
sides, lie isn't my dog. | never saw
him before tin he followed me at the
station. I'm as anxious to be rid Of
him AS he is to stay"
Tho conductors ayaI tha ann ,,,~
keenly, and Their allowed a grim sense
OF humor to appear in one corner Of
his mouth.
Got a chain or a rope for him. he
asked moro sympatheticalIv.
We'll, no. remarked the unhappy
attache of the dog. mot having had
an appointment with The dog ! didn't
provide myself with a leash for him."
rake him into the baggage car"
said the conductor briefly, and
slammed his way into the next car.
There seemed nothing else to be
done, but it was most annoying to be
thus forced or the notice of his fellow
travellers, when his commission re-
i CURED that he be as ~nconspicuous as
possible.
At Jersey City he hoped to escape
and leave the dog to the tender mercies
of the baggage man, but that official
was craftily waiting for him and hand
ed the animal over to his unwilling
master with a satisfaction i'll proper
toned to the fee he had received for
caring for him.
Then began a series of misfortunes
Disappointment and suspicion stalked
beside him., and behind him a voice
| continually whispered his chiefs last
injunction: Don't let anything Under
: you."
t Tranticany he tried first one place
= n then another, but all to no effect.
Nobody apparently wanted to care for
a stray white dog, and his very haste
. aroused suspicion. Once he came zeal
! being arrested as a dog thief. He could
not get rid Of that dog! Yet he must
not let him follow him, Would he
have to have the animal sent home tc
l Washington as the only solution of the
problem? Then a queer fancy seized
! hlm that just in some such way had
t Miss Julia Bentley been shadowing his
] lays for nearly three years now: and
5 he had actually this very day beer
considering calmly whether he nigh
not have to marry her, just because she
4 was so persistent in her taking pos.
, session of him. Not that she was un
ladylike. of course; no, indeed! She
was stately and beautiful and hat
never offended. But she had always
quietly, persistently, taken it for grant.
e ed that he would be her attendan
whenever she chose; and she always
r chose whenever he was in the least in
t clined to enjoy n other woman.
o company.
He frowned at himself. Was Their.
Q something veal about his character
that a woman or a dog could so easil,
master him? Would any other EN-.
pioye in the office. once trusted will
his great commission, have allowed i
v to be hindered by a dog?
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