a very tight fit.

"I'll have to pretend I'm a young lady. Then I shall not mind if it is
tight," Beth said as she struggled into Julia's blue dress.

"It's a little short, but then short dresses are the style now,"
commented Julia in an effort to be polite.

Immediately after breakfast, the Davenports and the Gordons started
over to view the fire. For some reason known only to herself, Beth did
not care to go. She even refused to be moved by Julia's entreaties,
and insisted that Julia go without her.

Duke remained to keep Beth company. When the two were alone, Beth put
her arms around the faithful dog. He looked up into her eyes and
whined.

"I believe you know," cried Beth. "Are you afraid of it, too?"

Again Duke whined.

"You do know, Duke." There were tears in Beth's eyes. "If it happens,
they'll take you from me. Don't you remember what Mr. Brown said?"

Duke looked as if he understood.

"They shan't take you from me. I'll go in town and see Mr. Brown. You
shall go with me, Duke."

He wagged his tail as if pleased, at the promise. Beth ran for a hat,
and then, with Duke, started down the road towards town.

The day was extremely sultry, and the warmth in combination with the
excitement of the night before soon caused Beth to tire, but she would
not give up her undertaking.

"You'd do as much to stay with me, wouldn't you, Duke?" she asked, to
encourage herself.

Duke barked. Perhaps it was because he did not mind the heat and was
anxious for a frolic. Beth envied his spirits. To her the way seemed
very long and dusty, but on and on she trudged. She did not know
exactly where Mr. Brown lived, but thought by asking she could easily
find out, and so it proved.

It was a very tired, warm, and dusty little girl who finally turned in
at the Browns'.

A great, overgrown puppy rushed at Beth and Duke as they opened the
gate. At first, Beth could hardly believe her own eyes. It scarcely
seemed possible that it was the same puppy she had given Mr. Brown such
a short time before. The little fellow had outgrown all his brothers
and sisters, and could no longer be rightly termed little. Duke was
unaffectedly glad to see his son. Away they ran together.

"Duke, Duke, come back."

Beth's call did not bring him, but Mr. Brown came around the corner of
the house.

"Why, missy," his face lighted up in greeting. Beth wondered how she
ever thought him ugly-looking. "You saw my puppy, di