Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-09-04

And then, all at once, Mrs Ashe heard
whimpering sound close to her feet
and she exclaimed in a startled voice,
"Whatevers that, Milly?"
Its only Toby, my little boys dog.
He isn't much to look at, but he's very
affectionate, and Boy just worships
him." She went on: I've heard that
animals always know when a blitz is
coming. But I can't believe that"
IT'S true Of cats" said the older
woman. And I'll tell you a funny
thing, Milly-" and then she stopped
abruptly, for she heard Tom Coal
mans latchkey turn in the lock of
the front door. Though she had known
him all his married life, she did not
like him, and never felt at ease with
him. There was something about him
rough and formidable, as there SO
often is in successful sclf-made man.
The two women heard his deep
voice: Boy not back from school yet, I
suppose?" Then he walked into the
living room, and his face clouded, for
he, on his side, didn't like Mrs. Ashe,
and never felt at ease with her
She got up with: Il must be going
home now"
He said promptly: Maybe you had,
for though there will be moon soon,
the blackout will be pretty dark till
then"
His wife smiled at him: II was just
saying how nice it is the bombing of
London has stopped"
1T hasn't stopped forever" said
Mrs. Ashe in a mournful voice. Don't
you believe anything so silly"
Tom goldman felt vexed. They
haven't been near us for weeks and
weeks. They only go for the munition
factories and war detectives, now they
know they can't frighten London"
There was a small raid few weeks
ago." said Mrs. Ashe with a sniff.
That was raider who had lost his
way"
THAT may be true; but they got
seven poor souls in one house know
of not far from us"
The speaker had got up, and as she
kissed gentle Milly goldman goodby,
she told herself Tom Goldman was a
regular bear, and no mistake
AS he turned and opened the door
of the room, obviously wishing her
gone, she went back again close to
his wife, and whispered in a sinister
tone, Il wouldn't be surprised if they
came tonight. AS 1 was just going to
tell you, when your husband came in,
our old cat has been running like mad,
round and round the kitchen all this
afternoon
Her host saw the visitor out of the
house, and as he come back into the
room, his foot touched the dog, and
Toby again whined.
That little brute'S less than no
good!" exclaimed Tom goldman. Even
in peace time he wouldn't be worth
his keep, and in wartime it's a crime
to feed him. What you and Boy give
that greedy little mongrel on the sly
would keep some poor child in health
His wife said deprecatingly, 1T
would break Boys heart if we got rid
of Toby
What rot women talk" You've only
to send Boy to my sisters for few
days. Then I'll have the dog painlessly
destroyed, and the child will have for
gotten all about his dear Toby when
he's home again."
Milly goldman plucked up courage.
you're wrong, Tom. Boy told me the
other day that he'd far rather have
Toby than another brother"
Her husband burst out laughing.
That statement of his little son struck
him as comical. Hes right enough
there! One child is enough in these
times"
Toby was sinking towards the door,
when Tom suddenly exclaimed, why,
whatever is that tag fastened to the
little brllte's collar? It wasn't there
this morning."
His wife said nervously, 81 got it
today, as a surprise for Boy. Someone
said yesterday that Our Dumb Friends
League is willing to register any dog
brought to one of their offices SO that
it can be traced if lost in raid. Toby's
number is on that tag"
That must have cost you a pretty
penny"
There was no charge at all; and
F.