The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1933-11-16
Dog Gone!
By CENEVR.A COOK
Q. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
WNU BsrVfcU

Mr.. MOONEY of Mooseville stood
w In the door of his cabin In the
woods which covered the side OF
Mooseville mountain, peering near
sightedly at a folded copy of news
paper which he held In d leathery-
brown hand.
LOST: Big tan dog resembling hound.
Name Floppy-ear. Reward: 1000.
P. o. Box ss1, Mooseviffe.
His steps made slightly uncertain
by years and rheumatism, Mr.. Mooney
limped across the cabin. and opened
the door into the woodshed.
Come ere. Floppy-ear!'
The big tan dog ambled toward him.
Mr.. Mooney regarded her speculative
ly. Nov II those people that put
tibet air notice In the paper sees my
sign | stuck up In the post Office |
guess likely your folksll be right
along. ma'am. Some o. those summer
folks up to the lake, most likely.
Don't know no better'n to go wan
derin' all over the maounting."
At the sound OF car laboring nois-
lily up the steep hill, he closed the
woodshed door upon the dog, and hob
bled outside. The car was an old one
painted blue and gold. and the driver
was fair-haired slim girl, with blue
eyes to match her sweater and beret.
She left the car at the end of the road
out past the thick trees clustered
around the edge of the clearing, and
came running across the stony field to
the cabin.
"Hello!" she called. Have you got
Floppy-earT She came up to him,
breathless. .Oh, please, is she here7
I've looked everywhereI'
There was the sound OF barking
from behind the wood shed door. "Oh,
she Is here Here's the reward She
thrust into the tough wrinkled right
hand OF Mr.. Mooney crisp, new ten
dollar bill.
Suddenly there was honk honk
from the direction of the car. "Oh.
whoever Is blowing the horn OF my
car? came up alone Waltz" And
she was gone. leaving Mr.. Mooney
looking after her. his mouth still
opened to speak.
II beg your pardon, sirln Mr..
Mooney gave violent start. There
at his side was a tall, good-looking
youth with dark hair.
Il came to claim my dog. sir. You
| have her here, think-in the she'd
perhaps7" With three long strides
he was past the astonished Mr.
Mooney and had opened the door OF the
shed. The dog came bounding out tc
him. jumping at his legs, exhibiting
every sign OF Joy and recognition.
.Here." smiled the young man
Here Is the reward Thank you
sir |" He thrust into the left hand o.
Mr.. Mooney a neatly folded ten dollar
bill. Come. Floppy-ear |" he called
and started across the field.
Before he had gone two steps th'
girl was facing him, her eyes flashing
Without speaking to him, she turnet
scornfully away. "Come, Floppy-earl I
she called. And the dog came runninl
to her. jumping, barking, with Joy.
Mr.. Mooney, because he was near
sighted, had to move nearer to then
In order to puzzle 1t out. He had t
move nearer still, because we was
little hard OF hearing. But neither 0
them noticed him at all
/ "You don't want that dog" the ma
was saying In an even, Arm voice, tina
somehow held a note OF bitterness
-Come here, Floppy-ear." The do
came.
@You don't value gift when 20
don't care anything for the giver."
II do care for the Eiver--I--I-
mean, I--I--dId--I mean"
The young mans voice became sof
er, and Mr.. Mooney moved \ littl
nearer. "Just what do you meal
JocelynT
I'll mean what said-Gerald"
Mr.. Mooney was getting nervou
He didn't Ike to have folks kissin
right In front OF his cabin 1t WASH
respectable. Hs cleared his thros
rs loud as he could, but no one pal
any attention. Then he tried som
thing else.
"Come here. Floppy-car," he calfe
The dog came.
The man was taking something OF
Of his pocket. And you'll wear n
ring again, Jocelyn7" he WAS sayin
and slipping It sparkling In the gu
light, on her slim white finger.
Together they turned and smil,
for n moment at the leathery-brou
old man who Was staring ut the
) from the yard. Together they Gale
"Come here, Floppy-earl" The d.
went.
Mr.. Mooney stood In the door
his cabin and watched them wal
close, down across the stony field, Il
dog running joyfully at their hee'
He looked down ut the two ten doll
bills, one In each hand.
, 4Doggone |" said Mr.. Mooney.