The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-06

dog. T cali on an you mon to assist me in surrounding the Grand View Hotel. There is dangerous Vsark ahead, and want only the braveStv<wait 6 second, Newt don't so away-aud most determined men in town to vol- unteer. Here, Mort. you hand out some axes. an pitchforta. an erowbars, au'-r
 "Oh. for heavens sake. 0eorge,s cried Mrs. Fox franticaliy. don't let them do if. Stop them!" | But the stranger motioned fer her tu. be silent.
 Some time was spent in explaining the situation to the posse. and in stationing group of the hardest men. beneath certain windows of the second floor back.
 Anderson Grow msrshaisd . doxen' or moro nbie-bodied oonscrtpts in Main Street, preparatory to el frontal attack on the suite at the head of che stair.l way. Ho had commandeered double. barreled shotgun belonging 10 Bin Kepsai. and with this he proposed te shoot the day-lishts' out Of fhe ssr- pent through the transom if it hadn't crawled under the bed where he couldn't "get 6 bead on t."
 In tho meantime, Mir. Fox had car- | ried the big black box out of Fryback's store. and his wife was now standing guard over 1t on the porch of tho Grand View Hotel.
 | Marshal Crow was issuing commands right and left. and the squad, aug mented by a stepladder from the hard ware shop. was about to enter the hotel, when Mrs. Fox uttered an ex- cited little shriels. and then these desoiating words:
 "oh. George. I've found it! I've got the key. It was away down in my | muff"
 Before any action could be taken to restrain the impetuous young woman, she was inserting the key in tho lock! Those nearest her collided violently with those farther away. and in less l time than 1t takes to mention 1t, there | was no one within a radius of fifty feet -except new arrival on the scene. To the intense horror of Mort Fry back. his wife emerged from the Grand View Hotel and entered the danger zone.
 Hey, Maudef~ he beloved. 'Keep, away from thati For the love of-s He clapped his hand over his eyes. Mrs Fryback had reached the side of the eager Mrs. Fox just as that lady lifted the lid of the box. Now, Mrs. Fryback was Mort's third wife; according to longevity statistics, she was much too young to die Others who stared <in horror at the picture on the porch. groaned audibly as young Mrs. Fox looked up into the face of the unsuspecting victim and smiled Thus encouraged. young Mrs. F'ryback, disdaining death, smiled in return and stopped over to look into the depths of that unspeakable box. Instead Of starting back in alarm, shs uttered shrill little cry of delight, and dropping to her knees plunged both hands into tho nest of wriggiinx hor. rorsi
 Mir. Fox had deliberately overturned the box and--out scampered three sprightly Boston terrier puppiesi l Ten minutes later all but one of Mort Fryback's farming utensils were back in stock. The missing implement, a l hatohet, was furtively on its way to the barber-shop Of one Ebenezer Janu- ary. colored.
 MT. and Mrs Fryback, Marshal Crow and the amiable Foxes discussed the points" of the frolicsome puppies iu the rear of tho hardware store.
 T just adore this one Mrs. Fox" said Mrs. Fryback. pointing to Q rugged little rascal who was patiently gnawing at MT. Fryback's pes-leg. "Do you really recommend him as the best of the lot. Mir. Fox7" she incurred, turning her shining eyes. upon the gem tleman
 Absolutely" said MT. Fox. q Would. mt you say so. Mir. Crow7r l "Ab-so-lutely." said Anderson.
 Then I'll take him." said Mort's wife. and Mort not only sighed but wiped . fine coat of moisture from his brow. "One hundred dollars Is the very least you will takey"
 The very least. Mrs. Ftyback. Hs Is thoroughbred, you know. My ken. nels arc famous. as you doubtless noted in my advertisement in Town and Country-and can personally guaran. tee every pup that comes out of them. In your letter to me, Mrs. Frybsck, you stated that only the best had on hand would be considered"
 MT. Fryback looked trtde startle6 but said nothing
 If you ever como to our town. Nh Crow, hope you will look us up," broke in MT. FOX "our place is about two miles out in the country, By the way. has Mrs, Grow . good dos@ mean one that sho can be proud of T"
 "She has thoroughbred setter." said Marshal Crow. compressing his lips, | "A hundred doalars is . lot of rnorey fer dog." nsurznurcd MT. Tryback. He mot his wifs'ss eye for second ana .hen added, 'But. of ooursA my wife has just lost one that was worth
 housand doilara so-I Gusss it ain't sc much. after all"
 'Narmaduks was . really wonderful dog. Mrs. Fox" vouchsated Mort's wife, assuming sad and pensivs expression. | T am sure he must have been." said Mrs. Fox.
 l "One hundred dollars is very cheap, sir. for thoroughbred Boston terrier in these days" said Mir. Fox. "Isn't that so. Mr. Crowf"
 Cheap as dirt.+ said Anderson. Mortimer, will you p;eass rive Mir, Fox the moneyf~ said Mrs Fryback. And. hy tho way. Mr. Crow. l hope you tales down ell those reward nottccs at onoe, wouldn't know what to do with NAxmaduke now. even if some one did bring him back to me" l T know what I'd order yeu te do with him." sAid Andsrpon, meeting Hpet'p melancholy Gase at last. ~WAst. may I mCutrss" srd order you to bury Aim," satd inc tNm NnApuhai ~o>>ky~E s- ps. ---.-....