Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1917-08-16

time"
Yes. SAID Vida eagerly. "tel, us
where the zebra bit him.
you'll have to hurry to catch him."
| interrupted, 'or it will be too late"
The telephone bell rang.
"Iello. This is Blaney. Is Clair
there?'
mo. he's not here now
"Then let me speak to Miss Dun,
more"
''She isn't here either" l explained.
"Ch. they're out walking together
again. l suppose" said my namesakc
sacastcally.
mo, not walking" said; swim,
ming"
What? At this time Of night?' b.
yelled. Not both Of them? Vida
can't SWIM
Maybe he is teaching her how" |
suggested. | didn't know of any rea-
son why should ease his mind any
way. A little jealousy would be good
for him.
"Oh!" He took the blow like man
btU bSHlh iilII SiN IdlHtlN, HDUi
by" and hung up the receiver.
Lucille confronted me when I turned
around. "Do you know where Tootles
is?"
mo, | don't know where she is" ]
replied, with strict adherence to the
truth Isn't she here?" l added guile
lessly.
mo. and I'm drcadfully worried.
There are SO many strange people in
The house that some one may have let
her out, not knowing how careful we
are with her. She might get lost and
starved or get her feet wet and have
pneumonia. or a hawk might carry her
off"
At this moment the unspeakabla
Bopp entered He made a great show
of WEAKNESS. dragging his feet as |.
they were too heavy to lift
"IIave you seen herr" demanded I.u
ellie
NO" Bopp said YEARLY. 1--WE
tramped all over the island again and
again. There's no ravine, no gully, no
bush that haven't investigated. She
must nave LETT the island
she can't sWim," moaned Lucille
Her little legs are too short. and her
fur would get in her eyes"
what he yelled Fur get in her
eyes?"
"Tootles is lost" threw in by way
OF explanation
"Tootles?" said Bopp. bcwildered
i've been looking for Mrs Green"
"Oh. shes been found" Lucille OK,
planned
"When?"
"Oh. hours and hours ago. She tclc
phoned Mr.. Bainey. She got In Mr.
Kent's rowboat and was blown to a
nearby island"
You knew where Mrs. Green was IN
the middle of the afternoon" ragged
l,opp, turning ON me, 'and you didn't
tell me, but let me tramp my feet or
looking for her? Here l am, dying of
WEAKNESS and lack OF sleep. when IA
word might have saved me-
Kent strollcd In.
Say. Mr. Bopp." he said curiously
will you tell me one thing?"
why, certainly"
"llow did YOU ever come to find that
| shelf on the cliff where YOU were sleep.
| ing al the afternoon? passed you il
dozen times. and I'd never have seen
| YOU ut all If hadn't heard you snore"
Vida came in CARRYING Il pair Of
shoes. coat. n pair OF trousers and Il
| hat
Hes gone" she said briefly. "As
soon as he saw me coming he dived
| into the lake aud swan off rapidly
| He looked back from time to time"
HE was afraid you would swim
| after him." explained. Are you In
| the market for old clothes?" indi
| ,ated her burden.
NO: these arc his. He left them ON
the bank. and thought | might as
we'll bring them In. suppose he will
| be killed"
"Who?" asked Lucille and Bopp.
| MIR. Clair" Vida answered. HE
Is trying to reach the mainland by
swimming"
"oh. the brave fellow Lucille ex
claimed. HE is risking his life to gr,
supplies to us. To think that didn't
| like him very well at tirst"'
| ! explained gently that II Mr.. Clair
ever reached the shore. which was very
doubtful. he would probably never
think OF us again.
| Il wish l knew where Tootles Is"
worried Lucille.
| "Shn no, I'm, h.,
| said.
I've looked everywhere" Lucille de-
clared despondently.
But she Is such little doggie."
Vida insisted. rs there an unfinished
part Of the house In the attic where