The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-09-18
MARIETTA
BY MILDRED WHITE.

IL was fOrtunate-Or unfortunate, as
the case may be-that her inherited
wealth was not taxed in their fulfill
uent.
She had tired OF the luxurious new
car. the sailboat and the city apart
ment; her much-tried guardian was at
his wits end to please Yet not to
please Caro- was to be himself miser-
able. For David Blair, junior law
/ partner and trusted friend of the girls
departed father, had loved Caro- with q
deep, unselfish love, from the trium-
plant epoch Of her first long dress and
''done-up" hair.
] She, unconscious perhaps OF this
love, had led her devoted slave merry
dance from the time Of his Instituted
| guardianship. David was given little
anxiety concerning the various admir-
ers who fiOcked in her train. Caro-
herself dismissed each promptly in
turn. Now, it seemed her overwhelm-
Ing desire was for some pet upon which
to lavish her affection
"a dog" Caro- told her guardian, sis
a faithful creature, responding IN
questiOnably to ones moods"
'But why" David asked patiently,
''must it necessarily be white dog,
and very small?"
| white, because shall have to keep
1t bathed and cared for" Caro- an
swered; small, so that may hold 1t
in my lap"
! The guardian sighed. Caro's expIa-
nations were as unsatisfying as the
smile which accompanied them was
charming.
Better wish for a dog of that de-
scriptiOn," ne suggested. For you TO
wish is to haYe-is it not, Gardiner"
There was a saddened note in the
guardians voice.
mot always" Caro- replied; she
looked at him quickly with fnscrutable
eyes.
But as she drove her car that after
noon beyond her accustomed way, q
small dog of exactly the kind she de-
sired, came dashing out across a bar
rem field to bark furiously at her
intrusion.
Caro- stopped the car, but the little
animal continued to bark, until at
length it paused breathlessly, to listen
to her caressing voice.
"Come," coaxed the girl; ''you dear
little thing" And as she sprang down
into the road the dogs feathery tail
wagged fervently in greeting.
Before her astonished gaze he arose
presently, waving his two fore-paws in
the air, and executing a solemn dance
around her.
''You funny thing she exclaimed.
''You little trick dogI" Before she
could forbid the little white creature
had leaped into the car, grinning at
her in dog fashion from the front
seat.
"He's mine" Caro- told herself def
antly; 81 wished for him." But the
guardian failed to rejoice with her,
when he learned the discovery.
Though the dog devoted himself
jealousy to Caro-, David Blair insisted
upon placing an advertisement in the
Found" column of that evenings pa
per, and following closely upon its ap-
pearance came a pitifuI reply.
1.-THE little found dog is my 'Fid-
fashion. HE is all I have to love.
He acts with me In the circus. Please
bring him back to, Marietta"
And though there vas no further di-
rection or address,, David and his re-
bellious ward drove that evening with
Ffdget between them to the faraway
grounds, where the travelling circus
pitched its great tent.
The little dog of the loved Marietta
was at once recognized by welcoming
watchers
"She didn't sleep last night"
painted clown said 'Fidget is all the
folks Marietta's got now, you see. Her
mother didn't live long after her dad
was killed in his famous jump last
year. The circus had sort of 'dopted
Marietta since. Every one likes to
see the kid dance with her dog, tho 1t
amt much of an act afterjall Mariet-
ta," called the clown. "come here.
honey" And Marietta came
A vision of flying golden curls. and
shert ruffled skirts. she flew toward
her pet. and had him in her arms
Then tear-f1lled. the childs blue eyes
sought Caro's.
''Pm sorry" she said. that you can't |
have Fidget. butt love him. And
haven't got anything else to love-"
The Dalton heiress nodded under
standingly; her guardian noted In dis
tress that her eyes were also filed
with tears.
Suddenly, impulsively. the girls
arms closed tight about the childish
form.
''Dear." said Caro-. do you suppose
that you could possibly learn to love
me? Would you like to come and live
in a big, stone house with a garden;
would you like to be-my little sis
ter?"
"Carot" David Blair expostulated,
''think seriously what you are offer
ing"
81 do think" the girl answered quiet
". The old twinkle came back TO her |
eyes. Marietta viii be more satisfy,
ing than Fidget," she said.
And as he stood looking down upon |
the two. David BIair's face softened |
into a great tenderness.
81 am afraid. Caro-. that have !