The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-08-20

, make a fortune for me, old Piffies In
Boots, to live up TO the reputation of
the original 'Puss.'" The dog wagged
his stub of a tail to show his willing
ness.
You'll have to find a rich husband
for me-that is my only hope for
fortune now
No sooner said than the little dog
ran to the door and whined to be lei
out.
Nina could scarcely believe her eyes.
HE seems to be ready to start out on
his mission right away" More in Il
spirit Of fun than anything else, she
opened the door and Piffies raced
through the corridor, shifted around
the bottom of the stairs that led to the
fiat above and then bounded up. Nina
whistled and whistled, but he did moi
| come down. She was just about 70
start up after him, when she heard
some one coming down. 1t was a man
the new tenant of one of the upper
apartments, and he was carrying Pif-
fies The dog was attempting to lick
his face and make himself generally
agreeable.
rs this your dog?" the man smiled,
as he placed Piffies on the floor. "He
seems to have taken fancy to me-"
II just got him. Isn't he dear?"
Nina said, with enthusiasm.
HE is valuable specimen, too. Do
you take any interest in dogs?"
~, 7 u
| I don't know much about them"
"You must learn the proper method
Of feeding him. These little dogs re-
quire a special diet. | can give you
some pointers" he offered.
won't you come in and do SCR
Nina invited. ut is rather chilly III
this corridor" He needed no second in
vitation, and even after the pointers
had been given he didn't hurry away
until he had told her his name was
Archie KelIand and had received AN In
vitation to call again.
He called often-at first to see how
Piffies was getting on, but after few
calls he didn't need any such excuse.
On. the first spring day that arrived
he suggested a walk in the park to give
the dog exercise. 1t was beautiful
day, so they sat down on a bench to
talk over the weather and many other
beautiful things. So intent were they
upon one another, they did not notice
that the dog had wandered away
When they did discover it, Nina was
frantic. She knew that Piflles had
been stolen or run over. Some big
brute of a dog had killed him or he
was being tortured somewhere by some
unfeeling foreigner There wasn't n
dreadful thing that could have hap
pened to that dog that she didn't think
Of. Archie finally got her to listen to
reason and persuaded her that the dog
had gone home, but when they arrived
there he was not to be found. II won
der If he went to Aunt Matilda's? 1t is
three miles out of town." Nina ex-
claimed, struck with the thought sud
denly.
That's just where he has gone"
Archie assured her. 'Ill get car and
We'll drive right out there"
Nina wasn't sure of the location, hut
after she gave Archie some idea Of 1t
he seemed to know where to 60. my
aunt did not like my mother; that is
why l never visited her." she ex-
planned.
When the car drove up to the coun-
: try home that had belonged to Aunt
Matilda they heard a familiar cry on
the front veranda.
TITS Piff1es r. Nina cried, joyfully,
as she jumped from the car and bound
ed toward the house. 1.-THE sweet
thing"
Archie followed closely at her heels.
They found the little dog huddled up
to the door. crying pitifully.
Hes homesick," Nina said, with
tears in her eyes. "Piffies, come here !"
But Piffies didn't want to leave the
door. He looked up into their faces
and pleaded with them to let him in.
"Oh If only 1 had the key to this
house" Nina said. Poor little fellow
doesn't know that 1t is deserted"
Archie took ring Of keys from his
pocket and fitted one in the keyhole.
The lock responded and he pushed the
door open. Nina looked at him In won
der.
"We1l get into trouble" she said. "A
hateful nephew of aunt's husband owns
this house nowl"
Archie could not keep back his
smile. One look at his face told Nina
the truth.
"You are the nephew" she gasped.
"You are the master of this house"
eyes, dear, and want you to name
the day that you will become mistress
of 1t. 1t is yourIaunt's wish, Nina"
THAT is why you are asking me.
You do not love me-"
Don't ~ The way he brought out
those words told her lot. Il took the
fiat over yours to see If could learn
to love you, and l learned to quicker
than anything in my life before
II hardly know what to say" she
hesitated.
Surely you will not deny Piffies the
privilege of living here. He loves the
old place. He Is on his favorite chair
now"
That won Nina. They were happy
three that motored back to the city,
for Piffles mad been persuaded to leave
with them. He seemed to know that 1t
was not for long.
"You did get me my fortune, after
all, old Piffles in Boots, and happiness
with 1t, too" Nina whispered In the
little fellows ear, as Archie and she
Rugged him between them.
A Courteous Hen.
Mr.. and Mrs. ]. Hooker Wilson Of
north of Rushyille have a most re-