e
resumed his advance; but at a solemn trot and with downcast mien. As he
reached Link, the collie whined softly under his breath, gazing
wistfully up into Ferris's face and then thrusting his cold nose
lovingly into one of the man's loose-hanging hands.

Link had winced visibly at sound of the jubilantly welcoming bark. Now,
noting the sudden change in the collie's demeanor, he stooped and
caught the silken head between his hands. The gesture was rough, almost
painful. Yet Chum knew it was a caress. And his drooping plume of a
tail began to wag in response.

"Oh, CHUM!" exclaimed the man with something akin to a groan. "You know
all about it, don't you, old friend? You know I'm the miser'blest man
in North Jersey. You know it without me having to say a word. And
you're doing your level best to comfort me. Just like you always do.
You never get cranky; and you never say I gotta choose betwixt this and
that; and you never get sore at me. You're just my chum. And you're
fool enough to think I'm all right. Yet she says I gotta get rid of
you!"

The dog pressed closer to him, still whining softly and licking the
roughly caressing hands.

"What'm I going to do, Chummie?" demanded Link brokenly. "What'm I
going to do about it? I s'pose any other feller'd call me a fool--like
she thinks I am and tell me to sell you. If you was some dogs, that'd
be all right. But not with YOU, Chum. Not with you. You'd mope and
grieve for me, and you'd be wond'ring why I'd deserted you after all
these years. And you'd get to pining and maybe go sick. And the feller
that bought you wouldn't understand. And most likely he'd whale you for
not being more chipper-like. And you haven't ever been hit. I'd--I'd a
blame' sight sooner shoot you, than to let anyone else have you, to
abuse you and let you be unhappy for me, Chum. A blame' sight rather."

Side by side they moved on into the darkened house. There, with the dog
curled at his feet, Link Ferris lay broad awake until sunrise.

Early the next afternoon Dorcas decided she stood in need of brisk,
outdoor exercise. Olive came running down the path after her, eagerly
demanding to be taken along. Dorcas with much sternness bade her go
back. She wanted to be alone, unless--But she refused to admit to
herself that there was any "unless."

Olive, grievously disappointed, stood on the steps, watching her big
sister set off up the road. She saw Dorcas take the righthand turn at
the fork. The baby'