f Life carefully into his
blouse, and opening the package gave Topaz some of the bread and meat it
contained.

All the time there was a pain in Gabriel's heart because Topaz, by the
morning light, was gayer, prettier, more loving than ever, and his clear
eyes looked so trustfully into Gabriel's that it was not easy to swallow
the lump that rose in the boy's throat at the thought of parting with him.

At last the package of food was again tied, and Gabriel was ready to start.
Topaz stood expectantly before him, his eyes gleaming softly, the color of
golden sand as it lies beneath sunlit water.

The boy sat a moment watching the alert face which said as plainly as
words: "Whatever you are going to do, I am eager to do it, too."

Gabriel thoughtfully drew the silky ears through his hands. "God made you,
too, Topaz, and He knows I love you. If it please Him, we shall not find
your master this first day."

Then he jumped up and searched for a good stick. He tried the temper of a
couple by whipping the air, and when he found one stiff enough, ran it
through the string about the bundle and looked around for Topaz. To his
astonishment the dog had disappeared. He whistled, but there was no sign.

Gabriel's face grew blank, then flushed as the reason of the dog's flight
flashed upon him. It forced tears into his eyes to think that any one could
have struck the pretty creature, and that Topaz could have suffered enough
to distrust even him.

He threw down stick and bundle and walked around anxiously, whistling from
time to time. At last his quick eyes caught the gleam of golden color
behind a bush. Even Topaz's fright could not take him far while a doubt
remained; but he was crouching to the ground, and his eyes were appealing.
Gabriel threw himself down beside the little fellow, and for a minute his
wet eyes were pressed to the silky fur, while he stroked his playmate.
Topaz licked his face, and the dog's fear fled forever. He followed Gabriel
back to the place where the bundle was dropped, and the boy patted him
while he took up the stick and set it across his shoulder.

Topaz's ears flapped with joy as they started on their tramp.

Gabriel put away all thought of the future and frolicked with his playmate
as they went along, throwing a stick which Topaz would bring, and beg with
short, sharp barks that the boy would throw once more, when he would race
after it like a streak of sunshine, his golden curls flying.

From