Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-07-05
FID0, jR.
BY MARGARET /. AHERN


tenant Dan Taylor, lunching alone ut
his club across the street, watched her
with growing curiosity.
Dan, The proud possessor Of two gold
services stripes and wound stripe,
was feeling rather bored after his
strenuous activities Of the past year
This state Of affairs was possibly due
to the fact that there had been no girl
waiting for him 'over here His in
terest was aroused now for the first
time since his return home.
IF II was a fur coat she was looking
at SO earnestly" he soliloquized cor IL
platinum bracelet watch, or rose
colored evening gown could UNDER
stand IL But it's Il bird and animal
store. l wonder IL it's parrot or
canary she wants."
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 Mt the miscellaneous assortment
OF livestock.
On one side some tiny white mice
were huddled in Il sQurmlng heap in
a cage. mo girl In her right mind
would even look ut those things" was
the lieutenapt's sarcastic comment.
On the other side of the window two
white curly-haired dogs frisked
around. 'Inanc pups muttered Dan.
M l,n ind .f
girl who would carry one of those toy
lambs around"
In the center of the window was an
iron cage, and presently its occupant
II 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 T
the bank was shaking hands joyfully
with the lieutenant. 1T surely does
make your old uncle glad to see you
again. Danny" he said. land If there's
anything ut all can do for you"
His offer was accepted with suspi-
clous alacrity. Dan explained glbly
that he wanted to look over the con.
tents Of his safety sAepost box, and
since his right arm was still lame, pos
siby he could have the assistance of
one Of the clerks. For answer his
uncle pressed button beside his desk.
A young 'W0man appeared almost i'm
medntely. Dan, maneuvering to Il 20.
sition back of her, frantically Zig
nailed to his uncle. The latter hid n-
q smile, dismissed his efficient EN-
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 demlire blush
us she acknowledged the introduction
to the eager lieutenant, he suspected
that she recognized him. 1t was ar
ranged that she should work with
Dan that afternoon at least; but he
made haste to assure his uncle that
the clipping of innumerable coupons
would probably necessitate another full
days work.
During the afternoon a minimum of
business was transacted by Dan and
his ACTING secretary. However he
found time to tell her of the biz ken
nels at his country place, and of his
favorite pet, the ugIy-looking bulldo.
named "Old Ironsdes.' Hell try to
I mean. he cOuld-eat that little chap
Ia tie birdstore ip one mouthful," said
Dan.
And Marjorie confded to him her
longing to possess the "little chap"
She told him how she had figured that
five dollars was a 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 most distinguished
and hign-class canine family trcc--be.
ing n direct descendant of Ringnlastcr
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
or lunch that noon, he found an un.
expccted visitor tied to his desk. A
note from Dan explained the situation.
II read as follows: II nm paying my
charming assistant, not in coin of the
realm but in the original way you see
hitched to your desk. Don't dare re-
move him. He will be called for ut
8 o'clock"
Dams uncle viewed the pup with q
ouizzical smile. Fortunately, he liked
dogs, too. II suppose" he remarked
thotghifully. that you have to be fed
Mt more or less frequent intervals, like
nil infants Although-pardon my
rudeness. old mnn--from the contour
of your small anatomy you don't look
MS though you had room for Il drop
more.' An excited Office boy was pres
emily sent out to procure some milk
for the puppy.
Then, still holding Dams note, his
uncle sighed and addressed the pup
van upIprctupI Eilo