The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-27
Eoening Story
A Man and a Dog.
BY ROSE MEREDITH

Under the big maple tree in Mrs.
Addy's front yard sat Mrs. Addy's
boarder-Evalyn Byron, who was a
clerk down at the lumber mill near
the bridge. Evalyn was an orphan and
! had lived for a long time with Mrs.
Addy, who had been an old friend of
the girls parents. Every Sunday after
noon after dinner. when the dishes
were all washed and put away. Eyalyn
came out and sat on>the rustic bench
under the maple, with book or let
tefs to write. Sometimes Mrs. Addy
sat there. too. but today some one had
taken her for a ride in a crowded mo-
tor car and there was not even room
for one more.
Sorry. Evalyn," called out Mr..
Peters. as the widow squeezed into ting
tonneau. your turn next time!''
Don't bother about me, Mr.. Pc
ters.'' protested EvaIyn, as she waved
gay farewell and returned to her
bench. But when the car had van
| ished, xaround a turn of the country
road she did feel rather lonely Sun
| day had a way Nof shaking her out of
her daily routine and making her rest
| less, tho she needed the repose. 1t is
| lonely-just us two, isn't it, Bob" she
asked the Airedale beside her.
The dog cooked his head on one sid :
and barked sharply. Then he jumped
down and ran frantically up and down
the yard, close to the fence. Funny
how he does that every time mention
his namel" murmured Evalyn.
thoughtfully, ''but he is the dearest
thing, and he's all my owR-unless
some one comes along and claims
him; but no one could need him more
than I do could they, Bobsy ?" The
terrier came bounding to put his heal
| in her lap and caress her pretty hands
Some one came whistling down the
path-a tall young man, bare-headed,
sun burned. athletic looking, with
clear gray eyes and well-brushed
brown hair. Evalyn had seen him
Observation-Disclosures was an effort
to recall. He was a stranger in the
village.
He looked at Evalyn. a fleeing
sweetness even the blue of her eyes,
and then he saw the dog, stopped
short, and stared.
The Airedale saw him at the same
moment. his ears lifted and then one
cooked forward expectantly-
Bob warned Evalyn. putting out
hand to stay his quivering body
But she was too late; in that fraction
of a. second. he had gained the fence
in two bounds and then sailed over
the barrier TO fall in a scrambling
heap at the mans feet. Then he
found his balance and circled, Ieape1
and barked franucally, scattering dust
all over the nice clothes of the we'll
dressed stranger.
Down." commanded the man kind
Iy
The Airedale Ieaped and thrust a
pink tongue at his cheek.
Down, you rascal" laughed the
stranger. STOPPING down to caress the
dusty little gray. hurricane. Then he
lifted his eyes to Evalyn's and smiled
at her. She was leaning over the
fence, panic-stricken for fear Bob had
found his owner.
Your dog" asked the hatless one.
Evalyn hesitated. Bobfwas her dog
by all the laws of finding-and need
ing! This prosperous-lookins youth
probably had hundreds of friends
money to buy dozens of dozens-but
in d severe line.
''Belong to ,you?" asked the man.
rising and looking her straight in the
eyes.
She nodded.
"Oh!' he exclaimed sharply and
why did you ashland why are
you surprised?"
Il beg your pardon-but / thought
you were going to say, No" He
DenL down, whispered something IN
the dogs ear, patted the rough coat
effectionately. Then he lifted Bob and
dropped him over the fence into tina
grass where he whined pitifuliy. Nice
dog you have here" said the stranger
squaring his shoulders as he turned
away, but ERalyn was sure that his
eyes were wet.
He went on his way, while the girl
stared resentfulH after him and the
little dog crept close to the ground
following the fence. whining softly
The man was opposite the house now
he was passing the SNOWFALL bush
soon he would be beyond recall
Suddenly Evalyn gave a little sob
bling cry and ran across the yard. She
caught up with him as he passed the
SNOWFALL bush.
Stop" she cried.
AS if he had been listening for