The Arvada enterprise., 1917-03-22

I settled his scarf with n def jerk, then
went out whistling. AS 1t was nearly
closing time for the matinees, he
strolled toward the Circuit theater, full
OF satisfying contentment with the
world. Now that he owed it nothing,
he resolved to meet his future obliga-
tons as they arose.
Early on Monday morning Bob re-
ported for work. only to receive from
Mr.. Crosset, whom he had always re-
garded ms warm friend, the notice
of his discharge.
whats the matter? Didn't make
good?" he demanded
Crosset was young man; more than
once he and Bob had scandalized
broadway; some Of their exploits were
epic. Now he shrugged carelessly, say.
ing:
"Oh. you made good, l guess; but
we can't take n chance with you"
81 suppose you're afraid I'll steal
some OF your chalk. Now tell Inc. how
did you wet your feet. and whence
comes the icy draft?"
"Well, from the direction of Pitts
burgh, II you must know. There's a
can tied to you. and we can't afford
to antagonizc the whole steel trust"
Il see. I'm afraid I'll have to dis.
own that father Of mine"
whats the trouble, anyhow"
At Bob's explanation Crosset whis-
tied. Funny l didn't hear about it.
Married and happy. ch? Well. I'm
sorry ! can't help YOU"
you can. Lend me five hundred"
"Certainly!" Crosset lunged at his
desk, scribbled line to the cashier,
and handed 1t to Bob, then in response
TO call from the customers room,
dashed away with hearty farewell
AS Bob passed through the outer Of
flee he ran his eye over the opening
prices. being half inclined to scalp"
with his sudden wealth; but luck had.
never run his way. and he reconsid-
| cred. Anyhow, there We're more agree
able uses to which he could put this
money; for one thing he needed sew
cral suits, for another, it was high
time he gave Lorclei some little re-
membrance-he hadn't given her a
present in nearly two weeks. and WON.
en- set great store by such attentions.
He decided to invest the money In
Maiden lane and demand credit from
his tailor. But half-hour at n jew
clry shop convinced him that nothing
suitable to so splendid n creature as
his wife could be purchased for pal
try five hundred dollars. and he was
upon the point OF returning to Crosset
with n request to double the loan when
his common sense asserted itself. Pow.
crty was odious. but not shameful. he
reflected; ostcntatlon. on the other
hand, was vulgar Would it not be in
bad taste to squandcr this happy wind
fall upon jewelry when Lorelci need.
ed practical things?
Bob was .chccrcd by the breadth Of
these sentiments: they showed that he
was beginning soberly to realize the
leaden responsibilities OF family
man. No. instead OF n jewel he would
buy his wife dog.
At n fashionable uptown kennel he
found exactly what he wanted, in the
shape OF Pckingese-a playful. pedi.
greed pocket dog scarcely larger than
his two fists. II was creature to
excite the admiration OF any woman;
Its family tree was taller than that Of
n Spanish nobleman. and Its name was
Wing. But here again Bob was handI.
capped by poverty, for sleeve dogs
are expensive novelties. and the price
of Wing was seven hundred dollars
marked down from one thousand, and
evidently the bargain OF n lifetime at
that price.
Bob hated TO hagglc. but he showed
that his ability to drive n sharp bar.
gain was merely latent. and he finally
bore the animal away In triumph To
outgencra n dog fanclcr was tribute
TO his shrcwdncss: TO save two hum
drcd dollars on n single purchase was
economy OF high order. Much elated.
he set out brlskly for his tnIlor's place
OF business.
CHAPTER XXI.