The Dolores star., 1920-05-07
A LITTLE DOGS
DAY
By H. LOUIS RAYBoLD

high powered car came honking along
the smooth state road, Its sole 0ccu-
pant an elderly man who had evil
IDENTIFY walked with prosperity all his
life
This must be the place" he decid-
ed as his glance fell upon a 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.
I'm Ne,. York lumber dealer l
came up TO look over some wood-lots
in the neighborhood," he explained.
expect TO be here two or three days.
] 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. TN see what Betty
says"
he disappeared for moment with
In the house, then called ont from the
doorway: You Jest drive your car
round TO the barn"
Colonel Burton obeyed with feel
ing of extreme satisfaction. There
was sweet. wholesome atmosphere
about the place that made ii far pre-
ferable to any country hotel he had
ever known.
When he entered the house, Betty,
a pretty, slender girl in blue gingham,
met him with 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 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. It 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 meeting like this.
The fellows status in the household
was easily guessed-the hired man
But OF course these good people had
no suspicion that they were harbor-
ing a thief! "Ot all houses in this
village, 1t Is curious that I should
have been directed to this one," the
colonel thought gloatingly.
Meanwhile Tom Dudley had come
to a 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
Toni Tom! What is it?" cried
Betty in alarm. you are Ill"
Her very tone was a caress. 1t 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 denouncing
the rascal. he pushed forward a chair.
Better SIT 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 over
him.
"It was hot In the field" he NUT
ter go and lie down"
Eyes. do" said Betty, giving him
her strong young shoulder to lean
upon.
The coloners brows knitted as he
gazed after them. Something in the
attitude of the two bridged a gulf Of
forty years. His hard face softened
little as he met the imploring look
with which the young man disap-
peared.
"I am getting chicken-hearted," he
muttered. .I couldn't make I'D nv
mind to speak before that girl. There's
something beautiful in such trusting
love. The old man will have to hear
tile tale"
Aloud he said:
THAT young fellow was taken very
suddenly ILL.,"
ut never happened afore," returned
the unsuspecting farmer. "Tom is
strong as an OK. Does the work O. two
men about the place."
"You seem fond of him."
II couldn't git along without Tom.
I'm all doubled up with rheumatic,
you see, an since the war good help
can't be had for love or money. But
Tom looks arter everything-keeps
the place tidy and shipshape. He can
outdo me when 1t comes to raisin'
crops. for all he's a new hand at sich
work"
"Humphl !" said Colonel Burton. And
hen. after q moment, he asked: "How