pup i havent thanked
you for duke but i love duke very much and think you a nice man to give
duke to me

"your little friend

"Beth davenport."

She put the note in an envelope and sealed it. Then she said to her
father:

"Papa, will you give this to Mr. Brown? He's to have one of Duke's
puppies if he wants it."

Mr. Davenport delivered the note as desired.

The next afternoon, Beth saw a buggy turn in at their place, and
presently she discerned Mr. Brown within it. She waited, half-bashful,
until he drove up.

He leaped from the buggy and raised his hat. Beth was delighted
because in every way he seemed so much improved.

"I've come for the puppy."

"It's in the barn, I'll get it for you," cried Beth, running there as
fast as she could.

Duke was playing with the puppies. When Beth appeared and took one he
followed her out, but at sight of his former owner, he stopped still.
Mr. Brown, however, called out pleasantly:

"Hello, Duke, I'm not going to take you away. Won't you come to me?
Come, nice dog."

Duke must have felt the transformation in his former master, for he
allowed Mr. Brown to pat him. Beth did not say a word, but held out
the puppy. Mr. Brown took it, and said a little brokenly:

"I'm not used to making nice speeches to little girls, but you're very
good to give this puppy to me."

"Why, it's nothing at all. Didn't you give me Duke?" murmured Beth.

He hesitated an instant. "But it means a great deal to me. It shows
that you trust me. Missy, I promise never to strike this one as long
as I have him. Good-bye."

Thereupon he jumped into the buggy and drove away.

Beth returned to the barn with Duke. January as usual was idling. He
had his fiddle and was playing "Dixie." Beth sat down on the hay near
him, while the dog family frolicked around her. She was happy, so
happy that from sheer light-heartedness she began to sing.

Duke pricked up his ears. White dog cocked her head to one side, and
the six puppies followed their parents' example. Duke uttered a low
deep howl that chimed in with Beth's singing. White dog howled in a
high soprano and the six little dogs did likewise, but in shriller
tones. Beth was so surprised that she stopped singing, and the dogs
immediately ceased howling, evidently waiting for Beth to lead them.

She began to sing again, and the dogs began to howl, swaying their
heads from side to side.

Their howling was so funny that Beth had