Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1936-02-20
Swell Idea
By EVELYN VoSS WISE
@ Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.
DETER DELAFIELD HARRINc-

kJH1Er DELAtlELD HARR1NG-
FORTH was working his way up in
one of his fathers chain stores, num-
Der 20. He had done a good Job and
his father wished to advance him, but
Peter refused to leave this particular
place.
"One of his swell ideas beginning to
bud" his father mumbled suspiciously.
1t was true, but now it took a totally
different form from any of his previous
dreams. This time it was a girl. He
didn't know her name nor where she
lived and she was too sacred to dis
cuss with the clerks. So each morning
ne watched for her little dogs nose
which rounded the corner first, and
'then ne worked in front of the store
until she passed on her way to the let
ter box at the end of the block.
Geo." he thought, "she has the cut
est turned-up nose and the sweetest
mouth! y The cool smile she gave him
when he beamed on her dog sent thrills
racing up and down his spine.
Days passed. Whenever he shut his
eyes he saw her slim form, her glisten-
ing hair, and small firm hands clinging
to leash. But that was as far as he
got for not once did she enter the
store
Peter learned the meaning of des-
peration. For the first time ideas de-
serted him, all except parking his car
before the front door. He liked to look
at it, waiting confidently, just as he
waited.
A familiar bark caused him to look
down the street one afternoon about
five. She wasn't coming around the
corner taking him unawares. This time
she was approaching from the front.
Peter leaped to the meat counter.
"Wieners Quick Wieners !" he de-
manded of old Mr.. Klegg.
"Wieners?" Mr.. Klegg looked con-
fused. "Wieners?
"Yes-wieners! Give them to me |!
Quick! Lots Of them"
The old gentleman handed them over,
cycling the young manager as if one
or the other of them had suddenly lost
his mind.
Peter sped to the front door. Luck
was with him. Not another dog in
sight. He gazed up and down the
street tossing the wieners surreptitious-
ly in all directions.
Pup he muttered, ''if you get sick
1 promise I'll make it up to you after
ward"
He was back at the window to see
the little dog sniff the air, saw the lit
tie beast slip entirely out of his collar
in his avid quest for meat. He heard
the girls cry.
''Nibs! Come here! Nibs !" She
tried to catch the wriggling body in
her hands.
Peter rushed to the door.
"Oh," she cried, he'll be sick"
Peter caught the sQuirming body. His
face grew serious. Poison, I've no
doubt. How terriblel You'd better let
me drive you straight to the vets"
They hurried into the car and he
put Nibs in her arms. From the cor
hSA VI hio CyC HC NdlCucu IuS tears
run down her face as he headed for the
country. But his heart sank bit.
Perhaps it wasn't such a bright idea
after all. She did look so dreadfully
unhappy. Suddenly he felt mean.
"See here" he said, bringing the car
to stop beneath big tree. "They
weren't poisoned and he didn't even eat
one. I took it away from him. I've
been wanting to meet you so darn
much. 1t was just one of my IDEAS"
"You mean you knew they weren't
poisoned?" Her chin lifted.
''Yes," he admitted miserably.
Sand you wanted to meet me?"
'Yes. Every day I've watched you
go to the mail box"
The corners of her mouth grew soft.
"You did meet me-a couple of years
ago. I'm Nina Pendleton's sister-Tve
grown up since then"
He looked at her in amazement.
Il was scared for Nibs. But, oh
Peter, I'm glad you did it. / think it
was a swell idea."
She looked down at the little dog
and sighed with happiness. "Well," she
thought, "it's happened. simply
couldn't go on mailing myself a letter
every day."