ys does when he sees me return after an absence, he fought a little
longer, then pretended to be whipped, and ran around the saw-mill,
followed by the other dog. The other dog came back, but Lion didn't. I
was quite surprised, when I got home, to see him rush out to meet me in
an ecstasy of delight, as if he then saw me for the first time. His
whole manner seemed to say, 'I am tickled to see you, Jack! and if you
think you saw me fighting the sawyer's dog just now, you're much
mistaken.' I don't know but I might have been deceived, in spite of the
boys; but one thing betrayed him,--he was wet. In order to get home
before me, without passing me on the road, he had swum the river."

"Now you must tell the story of the chickens," said Annie.

"Another bit of humbug," laughed Jack. "Our neighbors' chickens trouble
us by scratching in our yard, and I have told Lion he must keep them
out. But I noticed that sometimes, even when he had been on guard, there
were signs that the chickens had been there and scratched. So I got Mrs.
Lanman to watch him for two or three days, while he watched the
chickens. Now Lion is very fond of company; so, as soon as I was out of
sight, he would let the chickens come in, and scratch and play all about
him, while he would lie with his nose on his paws and blink at them as
good-naturedly as possible. But he kept an eye out for me all the while,
and the moment I came in sight he would jump up, and go to frightening
away the chickens with a great display of vigor and fidelity. So you
see, Lion isn't a perfect character, by any means. I could tell you a
good deal more about his peculiarities; but I think you are too tired
now to listen to any more dog stories."

Jack carried Vinnie's trunk to a cosey little room; and there she had
time to rest and make herself presentable, before Mrs. Lanman came to
tell her that tea was ready.

"See here, Vinnie, a minute!" said Jack, peeping from a half-opened
door. "Don't make a noise!" he whispered, as if there were a great
mystery within. "I'll show you something very precious."

Mrs. Lanman followed, smiling, as Jack led Vinnie to a crib, lifted a
light veil, and discovered a lovely little cherub of a child, just
opening its soft blue eyes, and stretching out its little rosy hands,
still dewy with sleep.

"O how sweet!" said Vinnie, thrilled with love and tenderness at the
sight.

"She has a smile for you, see!" said the pleased young mother.

Of cours