Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-12-19
The Daily
Short Story
PATS INTRODUCTION.
Rv Mildred White.

II AAhoOAA tAAb tSOAhf ~ ~ BIZ ~ 49,
last country walk for the season.
The path she chose was an un-
familiar one, through thick leaves
it wound its crooked way; the troll
ley station was behind her, she
could hear the hum Of the 5 o'clock,
! as it rolled into the distance. A
little wistfully she went on through
/ the sweet Indian summer; all the
men she knew, it seemed, were
fighting across the seas for their
country.
There was so little a girl could
do to show her bravery, jeanette
reflected, and just then Jeans
boosted bravery left her, every bit
of courage in her being seemed sud
denly to melt away; hopelessly she
| stood in the center of the path,
while a crouching bulldog crept
stealthily toward her; the rumbling
/ growls which shook his body gave
/ evidence of fierce antagonism. The
/ brute's bloodshot eyes glared at
her, from his heavy jaw white lath-
er dripped.
| Jeanette checked an impulse for
| fight; to run would doubtless in
furiate and hasten the beast in her
direction. Desperately, she meas
ured the distance to the nearest
tree, but it was certain the dog
could reach it before her,
Trembling, staring in Mortified fas-
cination at the approaching animal,
| the girl waited-then unable longer
to bear the strain of fear, she
shrieked. An agonized shrek it
was, for an instant the bulldog
paused in his track. jeanette took
| advantage to try persuasion:
Good fellow" she murmured
Historically Mice doggy But
nice doggy appeared to be beyond
placatiOn.
His rumblings alarmingly in
| creased as he came nearer. But
her desperate call miraculously
I found an answer.
do not be afraid" spoke a man.
II will keep the dog from you"
Before she could reply a khaki
clad figure passed at her side, NOV
ing unhesitatingly between herself
, and the dog.
"Oh! do be careful" jeanette
said confusedly, and closed her
eyes.
When she found courage again to
open them, the young man was
bending over the crouching dog on
the ground. When he Strengthened
up presently she saw that he had
made an improvised leash for the
animal of his own leather belt.
hold him in fhfC - nrind
the man. You may pass without
danger of being mussed up"
''Mussed up" repeated Jean. The
stricken face, she came close to her
deliverer and stock looking CRATE
fully down into his eyes.
How can you speak of it so
lightly?" she said. N"You know what
brave thing you have done; the
dog is probably mad, he might have
bitten you. He certainly could
have" she shuddered-"at attacked
me if you had not been here"
Wherever" she asked suddenly,
did you come from?'
The young man, with a strong,
restraining hand upon either side
of the struggling brute's throat,
spoke easily.
Il had Just left the trolley at the
station" he replied, "and l sprinted
along, I can tell you, when | heard
your scream. 1t sounded like real
signal of distress, all right"
1t was so dreadfully-fin final, D."
Jeanette cOnfided. The dog threat
ened me with every spring, no place
of safety in Yiew-I shall dream of
it for weeks. But you" her blue
eyes widened in admiration. "Oh,
you were wonderful-so fearless;
you will make soldier" said
JEANNE. "Oh, you will
The young man laughed uneas-
lily. The dog made another violent
but inefficient lurch toward him.
"If l could only get the kaiser as
easily as this" he lamented.
Frankly he gazed into the lovely,
admiring face of thesgirl.
"A fellow could go into any dan
ger with you to inspire him. he
said.
'Will you follow absolutely my
severely asked the SOL |
der
absolutely" jeanette replied.
Then sit down here on this
mound of leaves and talk to me for
a little while You have given your !
word" he quickly REMINDED, as she !
turned 'perplexedly to go.
"A soldier has so few pleasures, " |
the ingenious young man added I
pathetically; surely you won't re
fuse-this?"
We'll. you are the strangest per- |
SOM" Jeanette exclaimed. do you |
think that one can converse pleas
antly with a man who is holding |
down a savage dog?"
THE dog is not savage" the |
young man quietly told her. He |
is my dog, and a pet. He was com
ing joyously to meet me when you
him. That is, as joy
ously as Pat can come with the |
asthma which affects his breathing. |
He does humble a good deal. I've
been holding him by the strap be-
cause I thought he might jump at
you affectionately, but"
Released. the bulldog fell in low
ing onslaught upon his master.
Il wanted desperately to meet
you before | went TO camp" plead
ed the man; got to go back tomor-
row for good. Have you charity
enough to waive fOrmalities and
give me the one happy memory of
a walk with you?"
Jeannete bent to caress the dogs
head. then she smiled.
Il acknowledge Pats introduc-