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Outside the day was growing old Search as I would I couldn't find Clover I sat on the back steps and stared unhappily at the sky turning rosy with bright streaks of orange and violet I felt

overwhel all this o away Clover, where was Clover? I never knew until this moment how very one for good Please don't let hiood, God, please

One o in the house and call the newspapers I'd offer a reward for aClover back "Clover!" I yelled, "chow time!"

My call brought Bart stues, his clothes torn and filthy His dark eyes were strangely haunted "Why yah yellin?"

"I can't find Clover," I answered, "and you know he never goes anywhere He's a hos and sell them to science labs for experi so awful to Clover"

He stared at"They wouldn't do thatwould they?"

"Bart, I've got to find Clover If he doesn't coh to die Suppose he's been run over?"

I watched ?"

"Shot ht through his mean red eye He came at me lickin his chops, but I was smarter and moved quick and shot him dead"

"Oh, co irritated with somebody who could never tell the truth "There aren't any wolves in this area, and you know it"

Untilfor Clover Tears kept clogging est preain

"Jory," said Dad, who'd been helpingif he doesn't come home by himself And don't you lie in your bed and worry Clover , but even the elderly can feel roht"

Aw, heck That didn'ttio Now all he wanted was a place to lie where Bart wasn't likely to stumble over him or step on his tail

"You go to bed, Dad, and let me look I don't have to be in ballet class until ten, so I don't need my sleep as much as you do"

He briefly embraced me, wished me luck, and headed for his room An hour later, I decided it was fruitless effort Clover was dead That's the only thing that would keep him away