The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-13
CHAPTER x (continued,

Help! HelpW parked Checkers, by this time as angry as he could be. But in answer to his call, Bob gave him only another push into the pool.
 This happened four times with identically the sam -sesults. But the fifth time, instinct of the dogs an cestors woke and stirred in his soul.
 The dirt had settled to his sides. The mushy, cool feel of 1t was not at all displeasing. He shook himself. He walked to the fact that playing in water where you were not held and soap washed into your eyes was a magnificent sensation.
 Caught Great Idea
 The sixth time he caught the idea that Bob was playing with him. After the tenth ducking, success hove in sight.
 Checkers began to trot about and tell his audiences:
 Gee. this is fines don't have to mind where I lie down now" And he sniffed the air for other dogs with which to talk over the situa- tion-maybe even to fight with! A free-for all would be wonderful.
 His eyes shone with the delight of a street urchin's. If one had come along, Checkers would have followed his dirty little legs to any hovel. How fine not to have to be an aris- tocratl
 The photographer got at least a dozen fine snapshots. any one of which would have been splendid for Bob's purpose. He had just fired away at an unlucky thirteenth when up the alley and around the corner came Mary Trevor.
 Her red hair caught up under a tiny white hat framed an anxious, flaming face.
 She had heard and recognized Checkers voice, and he was in terri- ble trouble!
 As her eyes lighted upon tho muddy dog, and Bob just in the act of pushing Checkers into the mudhole again, her breath vanished.
 She was speechless with indigna- tion.
 Silent Work
 Without word, without an outcry, looking lite an averaging but adora- ble red-haired angel, she rushed swiftly across the yard and seized the bedraggled poodle just as he emerged from the hole.
 What cared she that charming gown was being literally ruined with mud and with cneckers squirm- ing feet?
 She turned upon Bob.
 You miserable creaturew she &C., cused. Deliberately abusing a help less dog presume it's your idea of something excrutiatingly funny You should be handled Ly the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to An imals- Not content with stealing my dog-and don't deny it, for saw you take him-you wound kill him as we'll O Checkers! Checkersr' Her vice broke and tears forced themselves into her eyes. The photographer made [. step for ward.
 Honest to goodness. lady, it ain't MT. Bob's fault. I suggested the mudhole. You see, you don't un- derstand-"
 But Bob broke in. His Responsibility
 "Nonsense," he declared. Tt was entirely and absolutely my fault I made the mudhole and put the pun in it. But I hardly think the dog is damaged" "Damagedl If he doesn't die. it'll be a thousand wonders, and he means everything to me" Tier NolCe pTOke. Bob rushed in. Whatever you feel the damage is 1 I'll give you the check for the amount at once, if you'll come into my office here. In addition, I'll be glad to pay any bills for what ever medical care or attention the dog may require for the balance of l his lfe.''
 | Money" Mary looked at him like someone who had suddenly gone crazy. T wouldn't have a penny of your miserable money! All ] | want to know Is your name, so that if there might ever be the remotest possibility of our meeting in the fu- ture, can avoid it; and because have curiosity to know who pos sessed so small a soul he could de- I liherately impose upon a tiny help' less creature" Unhesitating
 The architect did not try to ex- rlain. Nor did he hesitate sec I ond.
 My name is Bob Landon." ht 1 said quite clearly. But while he looked unflinchingiy into Mary's <eyes, his heart regis tered the terrible emot>on mar