Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-27
DAILY NOVELETTE,
BY ROSE MEREDITH
A Man and a Dog

Y1NDEk tne Dig Hapic tEee III "rS'
UAddy's front yard sat Mrs. Addy's
hoarder-Evalyn Byron, who was q clerk
down at tho lumber mill near the bridge.
pvslyn was an orphan and had lived
for n long time with Mrs. Addy. who
had been an old friend OF the girls
nsrents. Every Sunday afternoon after
dinner. when the dishes we're all washed
and put away. Evalyn came out and
sat on the rustic bench under the maple,
with book or letters to write. Some
times Mrs. Addy sat there, too, but TO-
day some one had taken her for q ride
In a crowded motorcar and there WAS
not even room for one more.
"sorry, Evalyn," called out Mr..
Peters. as tho widow squeezed into the
tonneau. "Your turn NEXT time!"
UDon't bother about me, Mr.. Peters"
protested Evalyn, as she waved gay
farewell and returned to her bench. But
when tho car had vanished around q
turn of the country road she did feel
rather .lonely. Sunday had a way of
shaking her out of her daily routine and
making her restless, though she needed
the repose. "1t is lonely--just US two,
isn't II. Bob?" she asked the Airedale
besilerh her.
The dog cooked his head on one side
and barked sharply. Then he Jumped
down and ran frantically up and down
tho yard, close to the fence. Funny
how he does that every time mention
hia name - murmurcd Evalyn. thought.
fully, "but he Is the dearest thing, and
he's all my own--unless some one comes
along and claims him but no ono could
need him moro than I do, could they.
Bobsyf" The terrier came bounding TO
put his head in her lap and caress her
pretty hands. .
Some one came whistiing down thc
psth--a tall young man, bareheaded.
mn-burned, athletic looking, with clear
cray eyes and we'll brushed brown hair.
1t was an effort to recall. He was n
stranger in the village.
He looked at Evalyn, q feetiry
olsnce that took in all her girlish sweet
ness, even the blue Of her eyes, and
then he saw tho dog, stopped short, and
stared. "
The Airedale saw him Mt the same
moment, his ears lifted. and then one
cooked forward cxpectantly.
Bob y warned Evalyn. putting out
. hand to stay his quivering body. But
she was too late; in that fraction Of
second, he had gained the fence in two
bounds and then sailed over the barrier
TO fall in scrambling heap at the
mans feet. phcn he found his baIanc.
and circled, leaped and barked fran
tically, scattering dust all over the nice
clothes Of. the we'll dressed stranger.
Down. commanded the man
Kindly.
The Airedale leaped and thrust n
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
Ut her. She was leaning over the fence.
panic stricken for fear Bob had found
hb owner.
Your dog asked the hatless one.
Evalyn hesitated. Bob was her dog,
by all the laws OF finding and need
ing This prosperous looking Youth
probably had hundreds of friends
money TO buy dozens of dogs--but Bob
belonged to her! Her mouth set in a
severe line.
Belong TO you!" asked the man.
rising and looking her straight in the
eyes.
She nodded.
'Oh! he exclaimed sharply and
looked away.
Why did you ashland why are you
surprised?"
i beg your pardon-but I thought
you were going to say. NO." He
Dent down. whispered something in the
dog 8 ear, patted the rough coat af-
fectionately. Then he lifted Bob and
dropped him over the fence into the
grass where he whincd pitifutly. Nice
dog you have here" said the stranger
squaring his shoulders as he turned
away, but Evelyn was sure that his
eyes were wet.
He went on his way, while the girl
stared resentfully after him and the
little dog erept close TO the ground.
following the fence. whining softly.
he was passing the SNOWFALL bush, soon
he would be beyond recall.
Suddenly Evalyn gave little sob
oing cry and ran across the yard. She
caught up with him as he passed the
SNOWFALL bush.
"Stop!" she cricd.
As IL he had been listening for that
csll, he turned swiftly and leaped the
You called me?' he asked eagerly.
The girls charming face dropped in
Do her hands. 1T is not my dog
wanted him sol found him in the
bushes beside the bridge month ago
one OF his paws was hurt; I think an
automobile must have struck him.
brought him home-hcrc--and be-
cause have no one who really be-
longs 10 me, though Mrs. Addy is 80
Kind. adopted him. 7 tried to find
out his name--he wore no collar--and
tried ever 50 many, but when / said
Bob he went wild. believed il WAS
his name. That's all. -
The mans eyes fell to the dog, who
vas curled contentedly beside him.
His names 'Sandy'--hc recognized
my name when you called Bob, ;"
apoiogi2cd Sandy's owner. "About Il
month ago. chained him up. was
going TO the city and couldn't take him
that day. When l got home learned