Mountain advocate., 1922-03-17
JUST GUESS
sy Aria Z. CUTTING.
l0al. by Meclure Newspaper srndIcat.


Z, crushed a letter In her hand ant
cast 1t into the waste basket.
Earl Are those examples all dOne2 q
Nope"
'Then get to work."
Shirley felt u pang Of remorse i'm
mediately after her last words. Ten
yenr-old Earl looked at her in amaze
ment; then there flashed In his eyes
a hurt expression. In another instant
Earl was puzzling over his examples
"GOlly Why should she get mad at
meI | didn't do anything. Let's see.
If Rover drove 40 cows to pasture
and 1-5 were lost-Ohl | can't
guess"
AT that moment the recess bell
rang. Waiting outside by the door
stood u great shepherd dog.
Hello, old girl" cried Earl, as the
dog ran to greet him. BE good now
and come with me-"
Earl went back into the room, the
dog following ut his heels.
Miss Mason" began Earl, feeling
rather uncomfortable, this is my new
dog. Uncle is coming home soon and
he sent me her. Isn't she beautyT'
Shirley said nothing for "a moment
Then
"She is very pretty. What's her
name?"
Just guess" replied Earl.
"Oh-is 1t Rover? Trixie?"
"Why, just Guess"
Puzzled, yet greatly amused, Earl
went out, Guess following, giving no
cue to Shirley as to what her name
was.
Say. Guess, you'll help me, won't
you? We've got to help out Miss Ma
son. oh, | love her. Don't your
For answer Guess licked her play
mates hand.
Long after school hours we're over
that afternoon, Earl strolled past the
schOolhOuse.
whats the mstter2" he thought.
THE doors Open!"
He went in, Guess following. Every
thing was in readiness for the NOR
rows work.
well, Guess, she's gone and left the
door unlocked. Guess we'd better go,
eh, Guess? I'm glad Uncles come
home. Why, Guess!"
The dog had tipped over the waste
basket in her frOllc. Out tumbled
the rumbled paper.
Gee! It's from Uncle!" he yelled.
He said he had a girl. Now, Guess,
keep still-and I'll read 1t to you"
dearest Shirley-I will see you
soon. l will have big surprise for
you. want to Introduce you to Il
dear little lady-a great companion to |
me. She'll probably see you before .
get there, as she's coming first. What's
her name? Just Guess, dear. With |
love, Rodney
"Well, I'll go home and see Uncle
Rodney now, and ask him II he's met
our schoOlteacher. Why couldn't he
have let me know about thls?"
Down the pathway he met Uncle
Rodney, who looked rather anxious.
"Have you seen Miss Mason, Earll"
"No, not since school closed"
"S'funny."
II don't think sO."
Rodney stared at Earl. Earl stared
1t Rodney.
"Well. I'll go back and help find her.
Isn't she homer"
"No."
Nothing more was said until they
reached the schoolhouse. Suddenly
Guess came into the room. whining.
She ran first to Rodney, then to Earl,
and then. to, the door, several times
,ver. H.. - -. 5...-. ~
wen follow Guess" commanded
Rodney. ... .ar ~
Out to the wOodshed By the school
rouse they went. The great door was
ocked. They heard a cry inside. Guess
parked. Earl and Rodney seized the
Ock and opened the door. Seated on
he floor was very angry, fearful.
young lady.
"Mr. Porter
Miss Mason-ShirleyI"
Don't call me Shirley! What ars
rou here for? And after writing such
letter." cried she. "Just guess
What her name Is. What do you sup
'ose care-'dear little lady'-my, but
his Is very seriOusl" she ended with
Inc sarcasm.
Rodney stood amazed for an instant
hen he broke into great laugh.
"Well, well So that's 1t, is It? For
i've me, Shirley. I'm sorry you mis-
nderstOod."
He turned. grasped Guess by her
Ollar, and said:
This is the little lady meant. Now,
told you her name In my letter. She's
nxiOus to know you, you see. Z
new you liked a great shepherd like
er. so l sent her up to be- cOmpan-
On for you and for Earl. She now
elOngs to Earl. And l am Earl's :
ncle"