The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-05-25
A Joint Partnership
in a Pup
BY MARTHA WILLIAMS

| W. l3zl, ny Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
An adventurous small boy snatched
The puppy from the dog seller, ran with
1t, was chased, and, to escape being
caught redhanded, dropped the poor
mutt into dark areaway. There it
lay stunned for some time, but at last
struggled to Its unsteady legs. whim-
pering family, and tried vainly to
climb the steps to the street. Morton
| found 1t as he came out OF the Italian
restaurant, where he had dined. He
had made rather a pretense of dining,
| being nearly as miserable as the puppy
looked. Misery loves company, hence,
| perhaps, his action. Into the light he
strobe, the dog cuddled in his palm,
sat down ut the nearest vacant table
and demanded instantly milk and hot
soup. He had decided they would be
comforting to the shivery, small
beast, so small 1t did not know how
to eat when food was set before it.
Morton, bending In the effort to help,
| was amazed to see a wOman's hand
stretched beside his own, while
clear voice said: LET me have him,
also a spoon. We must manage a
[ supper some way"
Shortly he was watching a rather
'nscrutable young person, whom he had
not noticed across the table when he
sat down to 1t, deity feeding his pro-
tege, huddled In her lap.
"There; that will do until next
time," she said at last, as the shrunk-
EN- sides rounded almost dangerously.
keep him warm he will sleep. Such
beauty II worth q whole lot of
trouble"
He isn't mine-fOund him outside
couldn't leave him to freeze this
bitter night" Morton hazarded.
The girl smiled at him. I'm glad
you couldn't. A lost puppy Is pite-
Gus. knOw-Im lost myself-until
10 o'clock"
"Why the time limit?" Morton asked,
almOsc forgetting his own troubles in
this new appeal to sympathy.
Again she smiled, saying: polly
set it; she will be home then. came
day ahead of my plans and was
discouraged from waiting on the stairs
outside her door. Do you think" look
Ing suddenly straight at Morton, Il
look the least bit like burglars pal
or 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 l 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 embarrass-
ment which Morton ended by saying:
You can't have him for keeps, but
I'll lend him to you gladly-if you
think Polly would permit-until l can
find proper quarters for him."
Polly loves tho under dogs-and
the lost Ones" the girl smiled back at
him. AS to staying-that is as you
please. l 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 ordered my cab on the
way in." --~
You are WOnder-with the CAPT
tai letter." Morton returned. "As such
your name, please-that l may ap-
proach the presence properly. Here
l am" extending his own card" No.
body in particular, but not, l hope,
wholly bad sort"
I'm Ruth Desha-you never heard
of me--but l knew you in spite of
your glum look. Betty Bruton gave
me one of your pictures when she-she
decided TOGO abroad" the girl an
swered. Moron flung up his head,
smiling bitterly. II got her wedding
cards the night my last play was
damned" he said. Still, that doesn't
excuse looking like a deaths head
DO you mind-much? Ruth asked
almost under her breath. His mouth
set as he nodded. but almost instantly
softened. Treasure Trove had reused
and was blinking at him happily over
Ruth's hands. II rechristen him
Luck Morton all but whispered.
Ruth looked at him narrowly. II
am glad" she said. y believe he will
bring 1t 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 up
ON puffy down cushions in the sun.
NEST window nook, with Polly at hand
sketching his every pose. Don't mind
me, good people. l shan't hear a
word" she called over her shoulder.
Ruth, eDsconced on soft couch mo-
toned Morton to a place beside her,
and after little drew a hard breath,
saying: II wonder II l am going to
make you think me crazy?"
"ImpOssible" cried Morton.
Again she smiled: But wait till
You know all. l want a playfellow-
1t Is what 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 Two nod