The Coconino sun., 1919-12-05
EDO, JR. By MARGARET L. AHERN
Copyright. 1919. by the Mcclure News
 paper Syndicate)


 hour gazing cOvet0usly In the store window. And for the third time Lieu tenant Dan Taylor. lunching alone at his club across the street. watched her with growing curiosity.
 Dan, the proud possessor of two gold service stripes and wound stripe, was feeling rather bored after his strenuous activities of the past year. This state of affairs swas possibly due to the fact that there had been no girl waiting for him lover here."'' His in- terest was aroused now for the first time since his return home.
 "If 1t was a fur coat she was looking at so earnestly" he soliloquized, "or a platinum bracelet watch, or a rose colored evening gown--I could under stand 1t. But It's a bird and animal store. wonder if It's a parrot or a canary she wantsT"
 While he watched the girl went in- side the store. Dan hastily paid his meal check and hurried across the street. He, in turn, stared in the win dow at the miscellaneous assortment of livestock.
 On one side some tiny white mice were huddled in sQuirming heap in a cage. "NO girl in her right mind would even look at those things" was the lieutenant's sarcastic comment.
 On the other side of the window two white, curly-haired dogs frisked around. "Inane pups" muttered Dan. "She doesn't look like the kind of a girl who would carry one of those toy lambs around"
 In the center of the window was an iron cage, and presently It's occupant "a small but very fat Boston terrier was thrust in unceremoniously. The girl inside the store leaned over to play with him for moment, and Dan had delightful glimpse of rosy cheeks and brown eyes. When she left Dan followed her through the monday crowd until she entered large bank building.
 A few minutes later the president of the bank was shaking hands joyfully with the lieutenant. Tt surely does make your old uncle glad to see you again, Danny" he said. land if there's anything at all can do for you" His offer was accepted with suspi- cious alacrity. Dan explained glibly that he wanted to look over the con- tents of his safety deposit bSx. and since his right arm was still lame, pas- slbly he could have the assistance of one of the clerks. For answer his uncle pressed button beside his desk. A young woman appeared almost i'm mediately. Dan, maneuvering to q po- sition back of her, frantically sig naled to his uncle. The latter. hiding a smile, dismissed his efficient em- ployee with some casual instructions, and asked her to send Miss Hill to him.
 Miss Hill proved to be the girl of the bird store. From her demure blush as she acknowledged the introduction to the eager lieutenant, he suspected that she recognized him. It was ar ranged that she should work with Dan that afternoon at least; but As made haste to assure his uncle that the clipping of innumerable coupons would probably necessitate another full days work.
 During the afternoon minimum of business was transacted by Dan and his acting secretary. :. However he found time to tell her of the big ken nels at his country place. and of his favortte pet. the ugly-looking bulldog named "Old Ironsides." Hell try to- mean. he could-eat that little chap in the birdstore In one mouthful," said Dan.
 And Marjorie connded to him her longing to possess the little chap" She told him how she had figured that five dollars was sufficient sum for such tiny puppy. and how she had been saving up dog fund.-; and then of her disappointment at learning that the small dog had a most distinguished ouu uikN-CtdbS Cuuiuc IuAully tISO w ing a direct descendant of Ringmaster Land his present owners refused to part with him for less'than twenty five dollars.
 Needless to say, the puppy of unim- peachable ancestry disappeared from the store window the next day. When the president of the bank returned aft CT lunch that noon. he found an un. expected visitor tied to his desk. A note from Dan explained the situation. It reAd as follows: T am paying my charming assistant, not in coin of the realm but in the original way you sec hitched to your desk. Don't dare re move him. He will be called for at 5 o'clock"
 Dams uncle viewed the pup with . quizxioal smile Fortunately, he liked dogs, too. T suppose.' he remarked thoughtfully, that you have to be fed at more or less frequent intervals, like all infants. Although--pardon my rudeness. old man-from the contour \. T