k passed; then two, and nothing was heard of Fritz. The feeling
grew with Beth that the 'gator really had made way with her pet. She
grieved more and more as time passed and nothing was heard of her dog.
At first, she was inclined to be very bitter towards Harvey, but she
could not hold a grudge long against any one. Then, as she
acknowledged, she was not sure the 'gator had eaten Fritz.
One day, about three weeks after the loss of Fritz, Harvey walked into
the Davenports' house, leading a handsome, big black dog. The minute
that the dog saw Beth, he bounded away from Harvey, and up to her. He
licked her hand, and was altogether so affectionate that he won her
heart immediately.
"Oh, what a beautiful fellow. Where did you get him? Is he yours,
Harvey?"
The boy's eyes were very bright as he answered:
"Well, I guess so. I'll tell you how I happened to get him, and then
you can judge for yourself. I was in town day before yesterday, and,
while walking along Bay Street, I felt something licking my hand. I
looked around, and saw this dog. I had several errands that morning
and the dog followed me every place. I simply couldn't get rid of him.
Then I made inquiries to find out who owned him. For a long time
nobody seemed to know anything about him. Finally I met a man down by
the market who said he had seen him come off a Spanish vessel that was
in port that morning. I asked the man where the vessel was, and he
said it had sailed. Then I asked him what I ought to do about the dog,
and he replied that he supposed I might as well keep him. After that,
I went to father and told him about the dog and asked what I should do.
He said he would advertise it, and then if nobody answered, I might do
what I liked with him. We have heard nothing so far of an owner, so it
begins to look as if the dog was mine."
"Why haven't you told me before? You have had it two whole days."
"Well, Beth, I didn't want you to know about it until I was sure he was
mine. Besides, I'm going to give him away."
Beth's eyes opened wide with astonishment.
"Going to give this lovely dog away! Don't you like him?"
"Yes, but I like the person I'm going to give him to better."
"You must be awfully fond of that person, then." Beth was ashamed to
think that she was a little jealous and tried not to show it by her
manner.
"I am. Guess to whom I am going to give him."
"I can't."
"To the only nice girl I know, and her n
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