dn't you? I tell
you he's a fine fellow. Duke never compared with him."

"Do you really like the puppy the best?" cried Beth, eagerly rushing up
to him in her excitement.

"Not a doubt of it." He smiled at her evident delight. "Gift----"

"Is that what you call him?"

"Yes. The name is to remind me of your kindness. I----"

"Was I really kind?" she interrupted wistfully. She did not wait for
an answer. "Then perhaps you'd be willing to do me a very, very great
favor."

"What is it you want? But you'd better sit down first. You look
tired."

"I am a little tired. It was pretty hot walking."

"You don't mean you walked here?--and on such a hot day?"

When he found that she had, he seated her in the shade on the cool
piazza, and would not listen to another word until he went into the
house and returned with a bottle of orangeade for her.

"Now while you drink, I'll tell you why I like Gift better than Duke.
In the first place, Gift really loves me--why, I don't believe that
even such a charming little lady as you could get Gift to leave me.
Let's try and see. Here, Gift; come, Gift."

The two dogs came running at his call.

"He always answers just so promptly." Beth noted how proud he looked.
"Now little missy, call Gift and make friends with him."

Beth did as bidden. Gift proved very friendly in response. Duke
seemed inclined to be jealous.

"Now missy, rise as if to go and call Gift to follow. It will be as
big a temptation as he ever had. He doesn't usually make friends the
way he has with you and Duke. Perhaps I'm a fool to try him so."

"Then I will not----"

"No, no. I want to know if Gift cares for me as much as I think he
does. You must try him."

Beth was growing nervous over the situation. Somehow, she realized
that the love of Gift meant more to the man before her than almost
anything in his life. If the dog failed him at this point it might
have a very disastrous effect.

"Come, come; do as I say," cried Brown with somewhat of his original
curtness of manner.

Beth did not dare refuse, but trembled for the result. She arose.
Duke wagged his tail in delight that she was going.

"Come on, Gift." He paid no heed, but his master saw that she was not
calling as if she really wanted the dog.

"Call as if you meant it."

She saw that she could not fool him. She felt compelled to act under
his direction, but it seemed the irony of fate that once she had
unwittingl