Gilpin observer., 1919-08-07
FIDo, JR.
BY MARGARET L. AHERN

jorie Hill spent 15 minutes of her noon
hour gazing covet0usly in the stOra
window. And for the third time Lieu.
tenant Dan Taylor, lunching alone al
his club across the street, watched he'
with growing curiosity.
Dan, the proud possessOr Of two gold
service stripes and q 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 it was a fur coat she was looking
at so earnestly" he soliloquized, cor u
platinum bracelet watch, or rose
colored evening gown-I could under
stand it. But it's bird and animal
store. / wonder If it's n parrot or u
canary she wants?"
While he watched the girl went in
side the store. Dan hastily paid his
neal 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
We're huddled in sQuirming heap in
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-hared 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 its occupant
"a small but very fat Boston terrier
was thrust in unceremoniOusly.. The
girl inside the store leaned over to
play with him for a 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 a large bank
building.
A few minutes later the president of
the bank was shaking hands joyfully
with the lieutenant. "It 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 box, and
since his right arm was still lame, pos
sibly he could have the assistance Of
one of the clerks. For answer his
uncle pressed button beside his desk.
young woman appeared almost i'm
mediately. Dan, maneuvering to a pO-
sition back of her, frantically sig
nailed to his uncle. The latter, hiding
a 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 demure blush
as 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 big ken
nels Mt his country place, and of his
favorite pet, the ugly-looking bulldog
named "Old Ironsides." Hell try to
l mean, he cOuld-eat that little chap
In the birdstore In one mouthful," said
Dan.
And Marjorie confided to him her
longing to possess the "little chap"
She told him how she had figured that
five dollars was sufficient sum for
such a 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 high-class canine family tree-be-
Ing 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
er lunch that noon. he found an un-
expected visitor tied to his desk. A
note from Dan explained the situation.
1t read as follows: II am 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 at
o'clock"
Dams uncle viewed the pup with u
quizzicul smile. Fortunately. he liked
dogs, too. ~ suppose" he remarked
thoughtfully, "that you have to be fed
at more or less frequent intervals, like
nil Infants AlthouRh-por rtlon my