The Owosso times., 1921-10-28

the scowl he was singularly hand
some, black-browed, olive-skinned with
red showing In cheek and lip, and fine
night-black hair. lean, almost lathy,
tOO--nO wonder Ellen Martin appealed
to him, aside from her pot of money.
His pursuit of her, object matrimOny,
had lasted two full years without ever
winning positive yes or no.
81 felt sure you were lost. Now that
I've found you, l mean to take you
home" he said masterfully.
But you won't" Ellen ret0rted.
"My guides here found me first. And
they are engaged to take me-by the
longest way round"
"I'll save them the trouble, but not
let them lose the profit" Clifford an
swered, thrusting his hand in his
pocket
Ellen's eyes stayed him. "Under-
stand-this Is my affair. l keep my
wOrd-always." she said. "NOw, off
with you, while the offing Is good"
CrOss-examinatiOn Of the guides
after he had swung away proved easy
and fruitful. AmOs's dollar was
translated into circus, coming next
week, and heretofore beyond hope.
Bert wanted a little dog playmate to
cuddle down outside the blankets and
sleep with his head on the pillow
something not to be thought of with
the grOwn-up dogs Of grown-up peo-
pie. Jack said glibly. "Dawg and
dollar? Why II want 'em-jest
cause I do" But gentle inquisitiOn
brought out that cash would realize
his dream Of red fire and Roman can
dies for the Fourth, but over the dog
he got red, twisting upon his bare feet
until Amos said giggllng, 81 know
that's ter give Miss Loreeny, our
teacher-she says she's so awful lone
some up in her bunjerlo, now her
mans done gone"
Zine. Can we get one right away?"
Ellen asked. The guides nodded like
a Mandarin chorus. Ole Man Swack,
1t appeared, had litter Of cookers,
fine fat, curly fellows, just weaned.
No-he didn't live so fur outen the
way-nO morn er mile-but he was
tight as the bark of tree. Three
dOllars-think Of 1t for pup you
could nigh put In yer pocket. Yet, he
never give Anne cent OF the money
for all her trouble feeding and brush
ing and keeping the kennels clean.
And she was better lOokin' n his
best dawg-nice every way-never
mouthed nor muttered-and always
ready to slip you apples or peaches
sech Gods plenty they had always
and Ole Man wanted five cents a peck
for all you took away.
Ole Man. lean, grizzled, stopped,
doddering on the surface, brier-sharp
below, deserved all his critics had
said Of him. Talk Of trade made him
all but human. Yes-he had fine pups
-"plague the luck-that gal Anne had
'em. all out walkin'-the rascals were
gttln' so fat they near lost breath
playing. She couldn't be gone much
longer-which way had she gone? Oh,
down thes medder-rOad-she was fool
ish about the creek and posies, and
sech. MOught be you could find her eff
you traipsed along that way" Ellen
smiled, paid the agreed price, and
walked off, calling over her shoulder:
Remember I'm to take my pick-and
YOU not quarrel"
She felt unaccountably tender to-
ward this unseen Anne, vIsiOning her
as rustic. round and rosy, happy COM
rade to the puppies, as to the Black
Eyed Susans and hedge roses. 1t took
her all aback to come suddenly at
sharp bend Of the way upon a blessed
damOiselle, fair, golden, lily-slender,
clothed In grass greenland held fast
in the arms Of Mr.. Clifford Pennington.
"Yell! Everybody" Ellen said low
and imperatlvely. The guides, half
sepsing her motive, oteyed with a will.
SO when presently she sauntered for
ward there was only Anne to receive
her, help her choose, and thank her
courteOusly for patronage.
"Take the dog to Miss Loreeny-
right off," she ordered. Away went
boys and dog with whoOp. Then
after brief talk with Anne, Ellen went
toward Tree Top. There she walked
into the living room, saying evenly to
the assembled family: "Let me an-
nounce an engagement. Anne, grand
daughter Of Mr.. James Swack, to Gif-
ford Pennington, ESQ"