The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-10-11

BY VINCENT G. PERRY.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS <>>~<>>><<<~%>D
Copyright, 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
Raymond Walsh was puzzle to the
villagers of Willgreen. At the age of
twenty-five he was not even giving
marriage thought. Nothing seemed
to interest him but books and his
estate. Sarah Morley. who had been
postmistress for thirty years (this was
a fact Sarah hoped no one could re-
member), kept the village posted on
his activities. The first year he had
been home from college he had taken
a correspondence course in law, then
he had switched of to short-story
writing and later had studied the keep
ing Of bees and the culture OF mush-
rooms. He was always trying some
thing new, but kept on with the old
things he had learned, adding to his
hobbies almost monthly.
Raymond did not find time for social
life. 1t did not interest him In the
least. He attended church every Sun
day morning and sat in the Walsh
pew all by himself.
,"What do you suppose he is study
ing nowY" Miss Temple exclaimed.
breathlessly, as she hurried into the
meeting Of the T. G. C. (This might
have stood for Town Gossip club.)
Every member knew who she meant
but before they could offer guest
she had told them. veterinary sur
gerry! What do you think Of it?" Tho
discussion that followed did credit to
the volubility Of the members Of tho
T. G.. c. Little Miss Audrey Dunbar
from the city was an interested visi-
| tor.
"Why, auntie, what Is 1t all about?''
she asked. "Who Is this man, and why
does everyone criticize him so Sc
verelyr"
They were only too glad to tell her
all about Raymond. After the meet
ing Audrey felt an irresistible longing
to meet this "oddity" of the village.
The sunshine suggested stroll in the
direction Of the Walsh estate.
Just as she neared the Walsh estate
dog limped toward her. Struck with
q sudden thought, she coaxed the AMI
NAL to her and examined its injured
foot. 1t was broken, she felt sure. II
was big. dirty cur, by all appear
ances, but nevertheless she picked II
up in her arms and walked boldly
through the gate that led to the Walsh
home. She almost let tle dog fall as
she caught sight Of tall, good-lookine
man wedding In the garden, but re-
gained her courage and kept right on
He dropped his hoe as he caught sight
of her, and ran to meet her.
"What has happened?" he asked.
my dog has been Injured" she said
"Whatever will l do? I should no
have brought him from the city will
me. Oh, Is his leg broken7 Do no
wiggle so, dear FidO."
Raymond smiled family, as he tool
the dog from her and rested 1t on tn
grass. mo, 1t Is not broken he an
nOunced, but needs attention"
"Poor old Rover-Fido, l mean I!
Audrey corrected her mistake hur
riedly. She hoped Raymond had no
noticed it.
Il will carry him to the kennels.
have hospital equipment there" Ray
mOnd said, as he looked up from tn
dog.
FidO seemed quite at home in tn
kennels. All he required was the res
cure, apparently, for Raymond lei
him to show Audrey about the place.
ut is wonderful" she told him er
Enthusiastically. Everything is perfec
You must be a genius to have know
edge Of so many things"
He laughed. 1.-THE villagers her
think am lunatic. You are the fir.
outsider to go over this estate for fiy
years. Nobody takes any interest
me.
Once the ice had been broken A,
drey called otter to see how 'Fidc
! In Raymond's care. But visits don
last forever, and one day she a
, nounced that she was going home
the city.
Il am sorry" Raymond said sadl
Il will miss you more than you ca
realize"
"Will your" she asked earnestly.
Il certainly will" With an effo
he changed the subject. "You w
: take Fido home with you, Of cours
He Is right at home here"
q Audrey blushed furiously. "He
l not really my dog" she confessed.
never saw him before that day. He
just poor dog picked up. want'
. to meet you, and that was the way
, went about IT."
: Raymond was laughing. II knew
), all along" he, too confessed "He
my dog-One of the best l own, areI
u you, Jip, old boy?" The recovered Fi'
danced around his master in acknov
< edgment.
you must have thought / was tt
. rible," she cried. horror-stricken.
was dreadful thing to do"
G 1T was sweet thing to do. Ever
g thing you do and say is sweet Jr
J. think how happy your deception h
E, made me. love you, dear, and If
Il was not that l knew you hated villa
life so much 1 would ask you to