Etymology becomes of practical importance, when, as the newspapers inform us, two members of a New York club have been fighting a duel because one of them doubted whether Garry Baldy were of Irish descent.

But Baldy died, and was succeeded by Ethelbert, who died six years later, and Ethelred, in 866, took charge till 871, when he died of a wound received in battle and closed out the Ethel business to Alfred.

Baldy wasn't as bad as that, couldn't ever conceivably be as bad as that, no matter how much he had had to drink.

There is one point to be urged in Baldy's defense that Mary never learned to allow for.

Until she knew the answer she didn't want to think at all, least of all about those things which Baldy's talk to-night kept rousing echoes of.

She retrieved her cloak, simply said good night to Christabel and the man named Black, leaving Baldy to explain things as he chose.

"How could you know a thing like that?" "They've lived here in the Village for years," she said, summarizing Baldy without quoting him as her authority.

After we had passed Azusa we chanced to look back at "Old Baldy" and the Cucamonga peaks.

" "Scotty" looked at Baldy with a practiced and critical eye.

[Illustration: SCOTTY AND BALDY] "I like all kinds o' speakin', too; not jest the fiery sort that makes you want t' fight fer your country, an' mebbe die fer it like Robert Emmett; but the kind that jest makes you want t' be

Then what?" "He said the only thing that concerned him was that Baldy was in town when he found him, and hadn't no license.

" "Well, that's a bargain, then; come to my husband's officeDarling and Dean, on Front Street, you knowthe first time you are in town, and we will give you a check; and you can bring Baldy with you then.

Well, with all of the attractive dogs here willing to lavish their devotion upon us, I think it would hardly be worth while trying to coax Baldy's reluctant tolerance into something warmer.

"It ain't just beauty that counts, Baldy; it's what you got clear down in your heart that folks can't see," he thought, and clung the more lovingly to the trembling dog.

Even Dubby's favorable notice was now frequently attracted toward Baldy; and the fact that he was aspiring to belong to the Racing Team was mitigated to a certain extent in the venerable huskie's sight by a puppy-hood spent amongst the working classes.

Baldy is obedient and willing, but it takes something extraordinary, really brilliant, or dramatic, to give a dog more than a local reputation.

And so, with Kid in the lead, Baldy and Jemima in the wheel, Tom, Dick, Harry and the others arranged to the best advantage; with the Woman covered to the eyes in furs, and surrounded by bags, rugs, and carriage heaters, and Ben comfortably tucked away in the midst; and with "Scotty" Allan at the handle-bars, they were finally ready for the start to the Springs.

When the Bernard team was also stabled, Baldy was overcome with that delicious drowsiness that follows a busy day in the open.

And to Baldy and all the others came rest and forgetfulness of such trials as nerve-racking sounds that destroy well-earned sleep, and the enforced companionship of advanced females that insist upon having a paw in the management of affairs that should not concern them.

The Woman looked accusingly toward Baldy.

" Anxious to defend the dog, Ben answered impulsively, "I'm quite sure Baldy wouldn't do a thing like that.

And it really ain't a bit like Baldy t' be cruel an' sneakin't' lay fer a dog that didn't have a chance agin him.

And then, deciding that there was no punishment forthcoming, he had leaped and frisked, and seemed so guileless that Baldy's contempt for his own kind made life hardly worth while.

Then, too, Ben would often help "Scotty" by taking Baldy and several of the steady dogs out, to give the former as much experience in the wheel as possible; for Baldy was being seriously considered as a permanent wheeler in the Racing Team.

He's up on Baldy.