YOURS WITH ALL MY HEART 



his paws and watched that narrow patch of 

 earth, chased with sunlight and shadow, 

 with sad-eyed vigilance. Sissy was sleeping 

 there. She would save him from the cruel 

 law! 



Yes, Sissy had said the good God-man 

 would take care of even Gyp, and so he did, 

 for thus it all fell out. 



While the burly officer stood awaiting 

 some answer to his direful threat, poor Rob- 

 bie, with his crippled arm slung in an old 

 black kerchief, stood silent with wan face 

 and quivering lip ; the mother tried to articu- 

 late a broken plea, but a dry sob shook her 

 voice, as from beneath the cover of the worn 

 old family Bible she drew forth a treasured 

 picture, and held it toward their persecutor. 



It was Sissy, kneeling beside poor Gyp, 

 the object of his wrath, her slender arms 

 entwining his neck, and her delicate face, 

 with its wind-blown curls, pressed close 

 above his head. Her great dark eyes seemed 

 to look the officer through and through, in 

 their sweet appeal, as he stood there gaz- 

 ing down upon the photograph with which 

 some random but skilful artist had presented 

 his little poser in happier days. 



53 



