The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-05-20
Joint Partnership
In a Pup
ry MARTHA WILLIAMS

20 is-l. ~ heclur. Newspaper syndieatsD
An adventurous small boy snatched
the puppy from tie dog seller. ran with
u, was chased, and. to escape being
caught redhanded, dropped the poor
4 mutt Into dark areawuy. There il
iay stunned Tor some time, but AT last
struggled 10 Its unsteady legs. within.
perng family. and tried vainly To-
climb the steps to the street. Morton
found IL as he came out Of the Italian
res aurant, where he had dined. He
had made rather pretense of dining,
being nearly rs miserable as the puppy
looked. Misery loves company. hence,
perhaps, his action. Into the light he
strode, The dog cuddled In his palm,
sat down al the nearest vacant table
and demanded instantly milk and hol
soup. He had decided they would be
comforting 10 the shivery, small
beast. so small Ii did not know how
10 eat when food was set before il.
Morton, bending In the effort TO help,
was amazed TO see woman's hand
stretched beside his own, while
clear voice said: Let me have him,
also spoon. We must manage a
supper some way"
Shortly he was watching rather
lnscrutabe young person, whom he had
not noticed across the table when he
sat down TO 1t, deftly feeding his pro-
tege. huGdled In her lap.
There; that will do until next
Tine" she said at last, as the shrunk-
en- sides rounded almost dangerously.
Keep him warm; he will sleep. Such
beauty is worth whole lot of
trouble"
He Isn't mne--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. lost puppy is pite-
Gus. ] know-Tm lost myself-until
10 O'clock"
why the time limit?" Morton asked,
almost forgetting his own troubles In
This new appeal to sympathy.
Again she smiled saying: Polly
set IL; 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, II
look the least bit like a burglars pal
or a confidence queen?'
"A movie queen would be nearer the
truth, Morton laughed, suddenly
sensing The atmosphere of unostenta-
tinns hpnnIinu q,
If you are waiting here-may l keep
you company? With Trove for chap
eron--that must be his name.'
Treasure Troye,' the girl repeated,
softly. IF | thought you'd part
with him" pausing in embarrass-
lent which Morton ended by saying:
You can't have him for keeps but
Ill lend him to you gladly-lf you
think Polly would permit--until | can
lad proper quarters for him."
Polly loves the under dogs-and
tie lost ones" the girl smiled back at
!..m. AS to staying-that is as you
cease shall be glad of company,
but would hate to detain YOU I'm
IDot afraid in the daylight, much less
in the dark. It's hardly more, than
step, but l ordered my cab on the
Nay In
You are Wonder-with the capt
tal letter." Morton returned. "As such
your name, please-that | may mp
proach the presence properly. Here
| am" extending his own card" No
body in particular, but not, | hope,
WHOLLY bad sort"
.Itn Ruth Desha--you never heard
Of he-but ] knew you in spite of
yOpr 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 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 II to-both of u.s."
He took her home to be embraced
by 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
niest window nook, with Polly ut hand
sketchiDg his every pose. Don't mind
aie. good people ! shan't hear a
word" she called over her shoulder
iluth ensconeed on soft couch, mo-
tohed Morton to a place beside her
AMI after little drew hard breath
saying II wonder If | am going {,
make you think me crazyT
"Impossiblew cried Morton.
Again she smiled: "But walt til
you know all want playfellow--
Il is what | have come here for. Yot
see, down in the grass country I've
had years Of reading and dreaming
Of life out In the world, I've hat