lled--a class that includes
all dogs under twelve months old. Six minutes later the Mistress was
gleesomely accepting the first-prize blue ribbon, for "best puppy,"
from Judge Symonds' own gnarled hand.

Then came the other classes for collies--"Novice," "Open," "Limit,"
"Local," "American Bred." And as Bruce paced majestically out of the
ring at last, he was the possessor of five more blue ribbons--as well
as the blue Winner's rosette, for "best collie in the show."

"Great dog you've got there, madam!" commented Symonds in solemn
approval as he handed the Winner's rosette to the Mistress. "Fine dog
in every way. Fine promise. He will go far. One of the best types
I've--"

"Do you really think so?" sweetly replied the Mistress. "Why, one of
the foremost collie judges in America has gone on record as calling him
a 'measly St. Bernard monstrosity.'"

"No?" snorted Symonds, incredulous. "You don't say so! A judge who
would speak so, of that dog, doesn't understand his business. He--"

"Oh, yes, he does!" contradicted the Mistress, glancing lovingly at her
handful of blue ribbons. "I think he understands his business very well
indeed--NOW!"

CHAPTER III. The War Dog

The guest had decided to wait until next morning, before leaving The
Place, instead of following his first plan of taking a night train to
New York. He was a captain in our regular army and had newly come back
from France to forget an assortment of shrapnel-bites and to teach
practical tactics to rookies.

He reached his decision to remain over night at The Place while he and
the Mistress and the Master were sitting on the vine-hung west veranda
after dinner, watching the flood of sunset change the lake to molten
gold and the sky to pink fire. It would be pleasant to steal another
few hours at this back-country House of Peace before returning to the
humdrum duties of camp. And the guest yielded to the temptation.

"I'm mighty glad you can stay over till morning," said the Master.
"I'll send word to Roberts not to bring up the car."

As he spoke, he scrawled a penciled line on an envelope-back; then he
whistled.

From a cool lounging-place beneath the wistaria-vines arose a huge
collie--stately of form, dark brown and white of coat, deep-set of eye
and with a head that somehow reminded one of a Landseer engraving. The
collie trotted up the steps of the veranda and stood expectant before
the Master. The latter had been folding the envelope leng