The Dolores star., 1918-11-08
ADOG STAR
BY MARTHA M'cULLocH.
Copyright, 1918. by tho Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)

SihCe lie UeiUuSeu 10 Sluney Lee. olu-
ney was fancier of sorts. He fancied
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.
"Ef 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 STREET
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. ms'am. for
the fine dogs little diversions" Happy
said to Miss Stretton in tone meant
to be diplomatic-even propitiatory.
"Oh" said the girl. her wideset eyes
looking through him. "Just how
much? I hope we agree in our esti-
mates"
Happy Jack, after some fumbling,
produced 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
laugh over the document, then pulled
out fountain pen, added two ciphers
to the sum. and gave back the paper
saying: I've kindly corrected your
little mistake"
"No mistake at all. If We live till
We see any twelve hundred and ninety
dollars o. Sidney Lees money, ye'll
make Methusalem look like baby"
you are overlooking the fright
the distress of mind-the upsetment to
my aunt. I believe you have litter
or so of Orion pupsr' Miss Ellen in.
terrupted. Beauties they must be. II
they look like him. Why there he is
right at our door"
'Iet me get h'm-the murderin'
pirate" Happy Jack cried. starting to
push through the gate. Miss Ellen
clicked 1t shut in his face. saying with
a little laugh: "a dogs dog by your
reasoning, Happy. Stay outside until
my aunts claim Is settled"
"He won't that! He sha'n'tl Won.
m! The idea o. leavin' n beast worth
thousands to he fed ON table scrapsi
i.emme git my hands on that rascal,
promise We. yell never see his track
again"
'Just what I'm afraid of-therefor,
you can't have him until the matte,
is settled" Miss Ellen said. covert
smile playing about her lips.
"If you poison him TIL have the law
on vel" 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,
reflectively; then piteously: TITS
shame to kill him, or even send him
to the pound-but don't see how we
can possibly keep him-and the
ducks -
"woman YeTl no have the
hearth" Happy Jack burst out. And
just then a motorcar purred to
standstill behind them. In a wink
Sidney Lee was out of 1t. smiling and
bowling to Ellen. and asking particu-
lars. That made Ellen blush uncom.
fortably-she had appraised the dead
ducks partly in sport. partly in anger
at 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 in-and get
your dog?" Miss Ellen said hxine
Happy in his tracks with look of ice
Lee needed no second bidding-in half
n minute he was established In porch
rocker, smiling at Miss Ellen. and say.
ing as he patted Orion's head: Good
dog Fine dog! You've won me-the
greatest Of prizes Ever since saw
her." nodding over at Miss Ellen. I've
schemed and prayed to And some one
who would introduce U.S."
I'm not quite highway robher-
In spite Of my profession-let me ex-
plain about that ridiculous BILL" Miss
Ellen interrupted. choosing to ignore
his speech. give hundred will he
just-and generous. Don't insist on
paying more-Aunt Lora will only
waste it-either on more ducks-or
the missionaries"
"I'll send check" Lee began. his