Page:Frank Owen - Rare Earth, 1931.djvu/288

 you have had occasion to pass once more through Galvey."

"I would not have stopped," explained the stranger, "except that I found this dog by the roadside almost frozen."

"Put him on the hearth-rug," suggested Jethro. "It is very warm there."

He took the dog from the hands of the stranger and placed him on a soft cushion. He patted the small cold body and stroked the dog's head. The dog in appreciation licked his hand.

Roma rose to her feet. "I will get him something to eat," she said. "There is some lambstew still warm on the stove. I think he'd like that."

She soon returned with a large soup dish which she placed before the dog. He rose to his feet, walked around the savory dish several times as though he could scarcely believe his eyes. He wagged his tail so jubilantly it very nearly came off. At last he started eating and even though he ate sloppily and made far too much noise with his chewing, it was good to