The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-03
ton II the conductor hadn't aroused

ton II the conductor nadnL aroused
him.
Although he had been in the city
nearly week, Harry could not mus
ter enough courage to call Madeline
by telephone. A vaudeville perform
ance appealed to him most as re-
treat from very lonely and tiresome
evening. The performance was dull
until near the end an animal act was
staged. Harry sat bolt upright as he
caught sight of familiar little object
on the stage. Yes, it was the same
walk and the same little wag Of the
tail; the markings were Just the same
and the color exact. The quaint lit
tie bark assured him. There wasn't
two dogs in the world with bark like
that. 1t was Cutey! What had he
best do? He could hardly restrain
himself when lie. saw the little dog
COW before the brutal looking train
er. To see the police he thought,
would be the best plan and he hurried
from the theatre.
He tried not to appear excited as
he explained to the sergeant at the
police station.
"Have you any way OF identifying
him as the dog you had stolen?" ask
ed the sergeant.
Harry thought for minute. There
was only one person in the city beside
himself who could identify the dog but
he couldn't possibly ask her. 1t look
ed as IL Cutey had been lost to him
forever. But rather than let the dog
be in the hands of that man any long
or he would call Madeline and ask her
to come to the station house Perhaps
she wouldn't mind when she knew it
was for Cutey.
"They don't answer the phone the
operator told him after he had spent
nearly ten minutes at the telephone.
He hung up the receiver with sigh
wheeled around and faccd-Madeline
She was standing in the doorway that
led to the chiefs Office, staring at him
in wonder. AS she recovered herself
she dropped her eyes quickly.
This young woman has lost dog
and claims that performer has it at
the Lyric Theatre" the chief address
cd the sergeant. "She says the dog
would know her. but has no other
means Of identifying it,
"oh yes I have" Madeline interrupt
cd This a-this young man knows
Cutey. He can identify it. Please
, Harry. dear!" She was so excited
that she did not realize what she was
saying. .''-
The sergeant was amused. "This
young man is also making claim to n
dog at the Lyric; the same dog, most
likely" he said.
"Yes it is his dog"
Eyes, it's her dog" The two were
talking at once.
well. you see it is our dog. We
are to be married. mean. we were
to be married. Oh, what am I say.
ing? Harry, why can't you explain?
I'm so excited and nervous!" Madeline
was almost crying.
Harry's GOODNESS almost surprised
himself. "If you will send an officer
to the theatre with us. we will assure
you the dog doesn't belong to the man
that has it. at any rate" he said.
We can decide which of us owns it af-
terward. You see we both have very
strong claim to It."
The chief agreed.
At the theatre the trainer claimed
that he had bought the dog from a
stranger. but when Harry slipped him
twenty-five dollars he didn't run the
risk of an investigation and handed
the dog over.
eff 1t was a good performer would
not let you have it for a thousand"
he said, but It was too old when I
got it to teach 1t new tricks"
at is dreadfully late for you to be
out alone. Madeline. Do you mind II
go home with you?" Harry asked.
"You might lose Cutey too" he added.
"But Cutey is your dog. Harry"
There was tremor in her voice.
"No he isn't. I was just keeping
him for you Madeline. Don't let our
silly little quarrel come between you
and Cutey. He thinks too much of
you for that. So do l."
They did not speak again until
they reached her home. They had been
thinking a lot.
Nov promise me, Harry, you will
come to see Cutey tomorrow night"
Madeline called after Harry as he
started down theS walk after talking
half an hour at the door.
:You bet WILL" he called back.