Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1920-12-15
A LITTLE DOGS
DAY

green hills late one afternoon big,
high powered car came honking along
the smooth state road its sole occu-
pant an elderly man who had evil
IDENTIFY walked with prosperity all his
life
This must be the place." he deeid-
ed as his glance fell upon tidy, COM
Portable looking farmhouse under the
trees.
Alighting at the gate he made his
way to the front porch where sat an
old man In his shirt-sleeves.
Tn NeN York lumber dealer. |
came up to look over some wood-lots
In the neighborhoed," he explained.
Expect to be here two or three days.
i was told back yonder that maybe
you would take care Of me. now that
the only hotel In the place Is closed
for repairs"
Farmer Grimes got to his feet with
many rheumatic grunts
Guess we can put you up for that
long" he replied. IN see whet Betty
says"
He disappeared for q moment with
In the house. then called out from the
doorway: you jest drive your car
round to the barn"
Colonel Burton obeyed with 4 feel
ing Of extreme satisfaction. There
was a sweet, wholesome atmosphere
about the place that made 1t far pre-
ferable 70 any country hotel he had
ever known.
When he entered the house, Betty,
pretty, slender girl In blue Bingham,
met him with a shy and charming
smile. She had eyes bluer than her
pretty gown-the trustful look Of one
unacquainted with guile. The city
man thought he had never seen a girl
so innocent and sweet
Presently, as firm step crossed the
kitchen floor, she turned quickly, her
whole face transformed by the ex-
preston that went over 1T. Interest
ed and curious, Colonel Burton
glanced through the half-open door.
barely sitting an exclamation as he
did so. 1t was no stranger upon whom
his startled gaze rested-this broad
shouldered young man approaching
with a confident tread
How strangely things come about !!
So this was where Tom Dudley had
been hiding for year and half.
The colonel's brow darkened and his
hands clinched. All these months he
had hoped for a meeting like this.
The fellows status in the household
was easily guessed-the hired man I
But of course these good people had
no suspicion that they were harbor-
ing theft "Of all houses In this
village, 1t is curious that l should
have been directed to this one" the
colonel thought gloatingiy.
Meanwhile Tom Dudley had come
to sudden halt just across the
threshold. His face went paper-white
under his tan. and he reached out both
hands gropingly as If seeking some
support.
TON! Toni What is it?" cried
Betty in alarm. You are mr.
Her very tone was a caress. IT told
Colonel Burton that she had given the
priceless treasure of her love to the
graceless young scamp. There was
something in her expression, as she
sprang forward, that went to the
worldly mans heart For a moment
he hesitated: then he did a most sur
prising thing. Instead of denounciny
the rascal. he pushed forward a chair.
Better sill down. young man, until
you get over It,"
Pouring glass of water he held II
to Toms lips, wondering at himself
as he did so. The latter drank gulp
ingly, looked up wildly and beseech
ingly into the stern face bending owe,
him.
at was hot in the field" he NUT
tered after moment. "Guess I'd bet
ter go and lie down"
Eyes, do" said Betty, giving hin
her strong young shoulder 10 lear
upon.
The colonel's hrows knitted as he
gazed after them. Something in the
attitude of the two bridged a gulf OF
forty years. His hard face softened
a little as he met the imploring looE
with which the young man disap
peared.
81 am getting chicken-hearted." he
muttered. Il couldn't make I'D m,
mind to speak before that girl. There.
something beautiful in such trustins
love. The old man will have to heal
the tale"
Aloud he said:
THAT young fellow was taken very
suddenly ILL.,"
''It never happened afore," returned
the unsuspecting farmer. "Tom /.
strong as an OK. Does the work o. tive
men about the place"
you seem fond of him."
II couldn't git along without Tom
I'm all doubled rp with rheumatic
you see. an since the war good helr
can't be had for 1--we or money. But
Tom fantq arfar ovarvfhfn1 fraa,.s