Graham guardian., 1918-11-29
ADOG STAR
BY MARTHA M'CULLOCH.

Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
Orion was star Of the first magni-
tude-in the dog armament of course,
since he belonged to- Sidney Lee. Sid
ney was fancier of sorts. He fancled
among other things he could have
given points to the original dog
maker. Which was pity, seeing
Happy Jack, head Of his kennels, said
in the strict privacy of his own mind,
EFF them dumb brutes knowed what
sort O. feller that owned 'em. they'd
never hold up heads ner tails agin."
This was not in malice. Happy Jack
was ready to admit the boss" had his
uses, and was even wise In the way Of
neckties, womenkind and other like
trifles. But dogs! Dogs were the be-
all and end-all of existence to Happy
wherefore 1t appeared to him spe-
cial providence that he himself was
set In actual charge of the fine four
footed creatures. He pampered them
Of course all he dared-also INDUCED
them. Thereby hangs this tale. Orion
running free of leash upon the lawn
out before his kennel, leapt the hedges
In pure wanton JOY Of supple strength,
and before he could be reclaimed
wrought havoc among the prize ducks
of old Miss Stretton, who lived next
door.
Result--a very pretty quarrel. made
prettier by the fact that Miss Stret.
ton, fat and scant of breath. left the
settlement of II to Niece Ellen, one Of
the modern Portals.
.Tm here to pay in full ma'am. for
the fine dogs little diversions" Happy
said to Miss Stretton In a tone meant
to be diplomatic--even propitiatory.
"Oh" said the girl, her wideset eyes
looking through him. "Just how
much? hope we agree in our esti-
mates"
Happy Jack, after some fumbling,
produced a bill. written out In the
round school-boy hand Of his son and
heir. Miss Stretton glanced at 1t.
frowned, bit her lips to keep back a
laugh over the document, then pulled
out fountain pen, added two ciphers
to the sum, and gave back the paper,
saying: 'Tve kindly corrected your
little mistake"
mo mistake ut all. II We live till
We see any twelve hundred and ninety
dollars O. Sidney Lees money. yell
make Methusalem look like baby"
"You are overlooking the fright
the distress of mind-the upsetment to
my aunt. I believe you have a litter
or so of Orion pups" Miss Ellen In.
terrupted. Beauties they must be, II
they look like him. Why. there he is
right at our door"
LET me get .him-the murderin'
pirate" Happy Jack cried, starting to
push through the gate. Miss Ellen
clicked II shut in his face, saying with
a little laugh: "a dogs dog by your
reasoning. Happy. Stay outside until
my aunt's claim Is settled"
"He won't that! He sha'n't! Won.
an! The Idea o. leavin' beast worth
thousands to be fed on table scraps
Lemme git my hands on that rascal, I
promise ye, yen never see his track
again."
"Just what I'm afraid of-therefore
you can't have him until the matter
is settled" Miss Ellen said, a covert
smile playing about her lips.
"If you poison him I'll have the law
on ye!" he hissed. Orion ran about
like mad thing, shifting at the walk
which led around the poultry yard,
giving the while short ecstatic barks.
Miss Ellen smiled watching his gam
bols. "He knows what he wants
and how much he wants It." she said,
refectively; then piteously: "It's
shame to kill him, or even send him
to the pound-but don't see how we
can possibly keep hlm-and the
ducks!"
"Woman! Yell no have the
heart!" Happy Jack burst out. And
Just then motorcar purred to a
standstill behind them. In a wink
Sidney Lee was out Of 1t, smiling and
bowing to Ellen, and asking particu-
lars. That made Ellen blush uncom-
fortably--she had appraised the dead
ducks partly in sport, partly In anger
Mt Happy Jacks lofty penuriousness.
Lee hardly glanced at the bill, with
her amendments, before saying eager
": "Quite right, quite right. In fact
too moderate-even have heard Of
Sir Alexander and his victories"
"Won't you please come inland get
your dog?" Miss Ellen said, fixing
Happy in his tracks with look of ice.
Lee needed no second bidding-in half
a minute he was established In a porch
rocker, smiling at Miss Ellen, and say
ing as he patted Orion's head: "Good
dog! Fine dogl You've won me-the
greatest Of prizes. Ever since I saw
her" nodding over at Miss Ellen, 'I've
schemed and prayed to find some one
who would introduce u.s."
"Tm not quite highway robber--
In spite Of my prOfession-let me eS-
plain about that ridiculous BILL" Miss
Ellen interrupted, choosing to ignore
his speech. give hundred will be
just-and generous. Don't insist on
paying more-Aunt Lora will only
waste it-either on more ducks-or
the missionaries"
"1'll send check" Lee began, his
voice joyous. She blushed again. "T-
had rather have-something else" she
snid. "An Orion pup-lf you can part
with one so low"
"Come! Choose right Off" Lee said,
$50 ord loo Jin0 hor xon,o ~