The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-30
Eoening Story
A Mascot.
BY MARTHA Mc2. WILLIAMS.

BY MARTHA MEG WILLIAMS.
An adventurous small boy snatched
the puppy from the dog seller. ran
with it, was chased, and. to escape
poor mutt into q dark areaway. There
it lay stunned for some time, but at
last struggled to its unsteady legs,
whimpering family, and tried vainly
to climb the steps to the street. Nor
ton found it as he came out of the
Italian restaurant, where he had
dined. He had made rather a pre-
tense of dining, being nearly as miser-
able as the puppy looked. Misery
loves company, hence, perhaps, his ac-
ton. Into the light he strobe. the dog
cuddled in his palm. sat down at the
nearest vacant table and demanded in
stantly milk and hot soup He had
decided they would be comforting to
the shivery, small beast, SO small it did
not know how to eat when food was
set before it. Morton, bending in an
effort to help, was amazed to see a
woman's hand stretched beside his
own, while a clear voice said: Let
me have him, also a spoon. We must
manage a supper some way"
Shortly he was watching a rather
inscrutable young person whom ne
had not noticed across the table when
he sat down to it deity feeding his
protege, cuddled in her lap.
time" she said at last, as the shrunken
sides rounded almost dangerously.
Keep him warm; he will sleep. Such
a beauty is worth a whole lot of trou-
ble.''
HE isn't mine-found him outside
-eouidn't leave him to freeze this Bit
ter night Morton hazarded.
The girl smiled at him. I'm glad
you couldn't. A lost puppy is piteous.
know-I'm lost myself-untii 10
o'clock"
why the time limit" Morton
asked, almost forgetting his own trou-
bles in this new appeal to sympathy.
Again she smiled, saying: Polly
set it; she will be home then. I came
a day ahead of my plans and was dis
couraged from waiting on the stairs
outside her door. Do you think,
looking suddenly straight at Morton,
81 look the least bit like a burglar
pal or a confidence queen?'
"A movie queen would be nearer
the TRUTH Morton laughed, suddenly
sensing the atmosphere of unostenta-
tious breeding his questioner exhaled
IF you are waiting here-may keep
you company With Trove for chap
eron-that must be his name"
Treasure Trove," the girl repeated
softly. IF L thought you'd part with
him" pausing in embarrassment
which~Morton ended by saying: you
can't have him for keeps but I'll
lend him to you gladly-if you think
Polly will permit-until I can find
proper quarters for, him"
Polly loves the under dogs-and
the lost ones,' the girl smiled back at
him. 'As to staying-that is as you
please. 1 shall be glad of company,
but would hate to detain you. I'm not
afraid in the daylight, much less in the
dark. It's hardly more than a step.
but I ordered my cab on the way in"
You are a Wonder-with the
capital letter." Morton returned. LAS
name, please-that 1 may
approach the presence properly. Here
1 am" extending his own card.
wholly a ba6 sort"
I'm Ruth Desha-you never heard
of me-but I knew you in spite of
me one u your pictures When She he
she decided TOGO abroad" the girl
answered. Morton flung up his head,
smiling bitterly. II got her wedding
damned" he said. Still that doesn't
excuse looking like deaths head"
do you mind-much?" Ruth
asked almost underbreath. His mouth
set as he nodded. but almost instantly
softened. Treasure Trove had reused
and was blinking at him happily over
turns hands Il rechristen him
Luck" Morton all but whispered.
Ruth looked at him narrowly. ST
am glad" she said. II believe he will
bring it to-both of u.s."
He took her home to be embraced
by a rapturous Polly. who, however,
deserted shamelessly at sight of Luck
Luck, indeed. became privileged
when Morton called next afternoon he
found the puppy lying in state upon
puffy down cushions in the sunniest
window nook, with Polly at hand
sketching his every pose. Don't
mind me. good people. I shan't hear
a word" she called over her shoulder.
Ruth. ensconced on a soft couch, mo-
toned Morton to place beside her,
and after a little drew a hard breath,
saying: Il wonder if I am going to
make you think me crazy?"
'Impossible!" cried Morton.
Again she smiled: But wait till you
know all. I want a playfellow-it is
what 1 have come here for. You see
down in the grass country I've had
years of reading and dreaming Of
life out in the world. I've had no
body to take me there-and couldn't
leave granny if I had had. Now-she
has gone-I don't want to do anything
that would have hurt her-but she
left me few thousands, outside my
own property. I want to spend them
them, if YOU like-in making
my dream come true. And I can't
unless you help me-"
"How?' Morton asked suddenly. de-
Gliding that bushes made her beauti-
full.
by playing with me-just as man
to man-Dutch treat, you know-and
all that-showing me whatever is
worth seeing. Not risque things-Il
hate filth-but places and people
where I can't go alone and where dear
old Polly won't care to take me. You
won't get mushy like the men at home
be just pals, playing in the sunshine
Don't you think it would help you -?
Maybe a LOTT"
81 am sure nf u Marian .oia ~