Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 November 1908 — “The Dog— His Day." [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

“The Dog— His Day."

By TROY ALLISON.

Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated Literary Press.

Young Conway jabbed th* oars into the water viciously. “If I can’t have what I want,” he said sullenly, “I’ll take what I can get I’ll ask her tonight.” Little Miss Pennell held on to the boat with both hands and gurgled delightedly. “What a humble, doglike disposition is yours, Robert,” she said admiringly. “I’m sure she will take you. She has been throwing herself at your head for six weeks." ' “Thank heaven, women can never throw straight,” he growled sullenly. “Seems to me she has done very Well,” said Miss Pennell flippantly. “If you ask her tonight she surely will have achieved her atm. But I can’t say that you look a willing victim.

That growl of yours was perhaps in accordance with your newly acquired doglike humility, but one couldn’t exactly call it a yap of Joy. Couldn’t you force jone little ecstatic bark, Bobbie, my child?” she suggested coaxingly. “I wonder why on earth I like you. I’ve never been able to understand.” He pulled the boat up to the sand bank and held it while she stepped ashore. “Am sorry I’m so unaccountably fascinating.” She shook the wrinkles from her ruffled skirts airily and started to investigate the one deserted but that graced the tiny island of sand and rushes. “Upon my soul, it’s a mystery.” He took theit’lunch basket from the boat and followed moodily. Miss Pennell turned aggrievedly. “You have spoiled your lovely metaphor. Dogs have no souls.” “Neither—so some philosopher has argued—have women.” he retorted. “That philosopher bad probably just been turned down emphatically by the lady he wrote about. But e’en though soulless I have an appetite. Would you mind if we unpacked the basket and ate right here and now?” Conway set the basket on the saud and took out his pipe, while she spread the napkins. ‘‘l don’t want anything—have no appetite.” He puffed his brierwood vigorously. “But, Robert. you must brace the inner man. Dotft you remember yen have an ordeal before you tonight? 1 should think it would take some nerve to propose to Miss Stubbs. She’s so—er—almost fat,” apologetically, "that one would have to work his Imagination overtime to say to her the things that the heroine of a romance is suitposed to relish.”

“I never did like skinny women.” scathingly. She hastily swallowed her bit of sandwich. x “If you want to call me little or petite or anything decently polite”— her eyes were flashing—“l don’t object to you expressing your opinion, but I won’t listen to anything so rude as “skinny.’ ” She shook the crumbs from her lap and walked toward the water’s edge. “Oh, Robert, the boat’s untied!’’ she walled. ““Thunder!” said Conway, springing to his feet. They watched It helplessly as It drifted. The girl at last sat down dejectedly. “I’ll not get back In time to drcsn for the dance.” “You’ll be lucky If any one comes by In time to take us back tonight at all.” he said forebodingly. “In all my twenty-two years I’ve never met with such vexation." She dug the sand Into holes with the heel of her small tan shoe. “You at least have some cause for gratitude. ' ‘ it’s not everybody that achieves such a ripe old age by calmly peaceful paths.” Little Miss Pennell eyed him miserably. “But It will aoon be getting dark. Robert, and I am afraid out here aR alone.” “Seems that I should Count for aom«

a fling in the way of company,” with Slightly more amiability. « “Oh, your’ she returned Roomily. “But you will be so bad tempered because of Miss Stubbs. You were going to have a tete-a-tete with her tonight, you know.” “That’s all over now,” he sighed. “Over? Can’t you ask her tomorrow?” He threw a pebble far out in the water and waited to see it splash. "I’m goiug to ask you again,” be said slowly, “and you will have to consider it this time—to keep those old cats at the hotel from saying things.” She drew a quick breath, and her eyes were mutinous. “Let them talk. They have to talk about something. I certainly shall not let their silly clatter force me into matrimony.” “But, Betty, I hate to have them say things. And I’m not such a bad chap’’— “I know you’re not,” said Miss Pennell, fast becoming more excited and *ngry. “b«t they can talk—and talk! I Intended marrying you all along, but I won’t be forced into it” “What!” shouted Conway so loudly that a lone bird perched on a nearby grass stalk flapped its wings hurriedly. ' She saw her false step and tried to retrieve. “I meant—perhaps.” “No; you don’t renig,” he said happily. The shadows grew longer. He looked at his watch in the fading light “Too bad, but I must take you back in time for you to dress for the dance.” “How?” incredulously. He waved her doubts aside with an airy gesture. “The hero of this romance knows how to relieve the heroine in distress, my lovely lady. See that hut?” dramatically. “Well, there are four canoes sheltered in it.” Little Miss Pennell dimpled appreciatively. “You dear!” she said.

HE WAVED HER DOUBTS ASIDE WITH AN AIBY GESTURE.