Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-09-13
shape upon the porch, stealthily mov-
ing toward the open door. 1t was the
lowly Clematis, dog unto Genesis.
William instantly OWNED the pur-

ing toward the open door. 1t was the
lowly Clematis, dog unto Genesis.
William instantly OWNED the pur-
! pose Of Clematis, 1t was debatable
whether Clematis had remained upon
the premises after the departure of
Genesis or had lately returned thither
upon some Grand Of his own, but II
thing was certain, and the of
Clematis-his attitude, his every look,
his every gesture-made it as clear as
day. Clematis had discovered by one
means or another the presence of Flop
1t in the house and had determined to
see him personally.
William was well aware that Glenn
ats could not be driven away, except
temporarily, for nothing was further
fixed upon Clcmatis than his habit of
retiring under pressure, only to return
and return again. William cast a hunt
ed look over his shoulder; then he ap-
preached Clematis.
Good ole doggie,' he said huskily.
"lIyuh, Glen! Hyuh, Clem!"
Clematis moved sidelong, retreating,
his head low. his tail denoting anxious
thoughts.
Thereupon William essayed a ruse-
he pretended to nibble at something
and then extended his hand as if it
held forth a gift Of food. "Look, Glenn"
he said. "Yum-yum! Meat, Glen! Good
meat"
For once Clematis was half crcdu-
louS. He did not advance, but he
elongated himself to investigate the
extended hand and the next instant
found himself seized %viciously by the
soruff Of the neck. He submitted to
capture in absolute silence. William
dragged him down a passageway to
the cellar door. This he opened, thrust
Clematis upon the other side of it,
closed and bolted it.
Immediately q stentorian howl raised
blood curdling echoes through the
house. Clematis stated that he was
anxious to see Flopit and considered it
an uneXampled outrage that he was
withheld from the opportunity. Will
liam charged down the cellar stairs
after Clematis, choking and calling in
low, ferocious tones: Good doggie!
Good ole doggie! IIyuh, Glen! Meat,
Glenn. Neat"
There was lodging through coalbins,
there was squirming between barrels,
there was high jumping and broad
jumping, but finally William was the
~conqueror, II into a small shed or
Toulouse behind Mrs. BaXtcr's flower
beds went Clematis in a hurried and
Slasmodic manner. The instant the
door slammed he lifted his voice and
vas hidden to use it now as much as.
he liked.
William strobe into the hall and
opened the door of the Giving ROOM
Jane was sitting on the floor busily
PAINTING sunsets in a large blank book.
She looked up brightly.
Il got a little bit sick, so ann
told me to keep quiet awhile. She's
lookin' for you all over the house. She
told papa she don't know what in mer-
cy's name people are goin' to think
about you, Willie"
The distraught youth strobe to her.
The party he choked. "Where''-
'"Thcy all stayed pretty long," said
Jane, but the last cnes said they had
to so homo to their dinners when papa
came, a little While ago. Johnnie Wat
son was carryin' Flopit for that Miss
Pratt"
William dropped into the chair be-
side which Jane had established her
self upon the floor. Then he uttered a
terrible cry and rose.
Again Jane had painted a sunset she
had not intended.
On q warm morning, ten days later,
William stood pensively among his
mothers lowerbeds behind the house,
his attitude denoting a low state of
vitality. Not far away an aged negro
sat upon a wheelbarrow In the hot sun,
TREMENDOUSLY yet skillfully whiting a
piece Of wood into the shape of a boat,
labor more to his taste evidently than
that which he had abandoned at the re-
quest of Jane. Allusion to this prefer
ence for a lighter task was made by
! Genesis. who was erecting a trellis on