The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-09-12

You what?"
 He was sure she had understood correctly. She was only trying to make it harder for him. In that case a change of tactics was in order.
 q called to see about a dog" he repeated soberly. You See I've lost one and to-day I read the ad- vertisement in The Press. From the description given I thought the one advertised might be mine." In assuming that Norma was be- ing petulant the young man did her less than justice. The girl was simply startled. She could scarcely believe the youth before her was the one she had seen on Broad street two nights before, the one who had dashed into the traffic and saved the puppy. There was no mistaking him, however. And now she was not angry with him. She was amused.
 Y see," she replied primly. Will you describe the animal you're looking for?'
 "Well-he-er-he was a gray and brown puppy with black spot over the right eye" He looked down at the newspaper folded open to the classified pages and then up at the girl. Without batting an eye1ash he continued, And he has a black tail. Owner should that is, no, I mean that's about all can say to describe him. He's little nut. Oh, I assure you l prize him highly! I've offered a reward for his return"
 QntrIf game. Her eyes were sparkling.
 And just where did you lose this dog?" she asked.
 Well, you see 1t was like this. I was taking the pup for his after noon walk. It was about o'clock maybe a little later-and we were on Broad street. I stopped to glance at a window display and somehow the pup jerked the leash from my hand. He ran into the street. I went after him but be- fore I could reach him the dog was on the other side. l saw a young woman pick him up. get into cab and disappear. When called to her she took no notice. The young woman"-here he stared gravely at the girl-"was about your size, l should say. She had blue eyes. Beautiful eyes and blond hair"
 "Oh, I'm so sorry!" Norma in- terrupted him. "I'm quite sure the puppy I found can't be yours. You see this dog didn't have leash or even a collar"
 "It is possible that he might have lost them. At least, would certainly like to see the dog you have here. As I said before l prize my pet highly and I'm offer ing a reward. . girl spoke demurely, that this story of yours is true? If l should let you see the dog 1t would De very easy for you to claim him. How can be sure that you are not -er-an imposter?"
 Travers knew she was laughing at him. We'll, that was all right. Anything was all right so long as she wasn't angry.
 Taking a leather case from his pocket he drew out a card, bowed formally and extended it toward the girl.
 Madam, my card!'
 So his name was really Travers. Norma read the neat engraving. Mark Finley Travers." It was not A business card. The lettering was hold, masculine, aristocratic-look- ing. Or perhaps it was the name itself that seemed aristocratic.
 May I see the dog now?"
 Should she go on with his non- sense? It was ridiculous to pre- tend she had never sen the young man before, that she believed his story about losing a dog or that he cared anything about seeing the puppy.
 AS Norma hesitated she caught his gaze directly. The girl flushed. In a voice that was not quite nat ural she said suddenly, 'Tll show him to you. We'll have to go down to the basement"
 She led the way to door at the rear of the dimly lighted hall. It would have been better, Norma realized as soon as the words were out of her mouth, fo rher to have gone alone and brought the puppy upstairs. There was no need for Travers to follow inot that grime- covered region which served as a general store room. Travers was 1mpeccaDly uresseu.
 His steady tread followed her light footsteps on the rickety stairs. Norma snapped the switch and pale electricity illuminated the basement.
 "Its back here." she said over her shoulder. They went through an open doorway into the rear of the basement. This was the store room and here. on his folded blan- ket, the pup sat erect. biinked at them.
 Evidently the sound of their footsteps had awakened him. For an instant the puppy stared. then bounded forward with e yelp.
 "Mrr-ph! Mrr-ph!" he parked joyously. "MRR-PH!"
 Norma stopped and picked him up. She held him in her arms, rubbing the veivety head.
 "why, he looks q lot betetr!' Travers exclaimed, forgetting his pose. "Been feeding him, haven't