Connecticut western news., 1881-04-06

half an hour and as she saw the lights in the window the spinster thought how nice 1t was to have family about one. Pussy was all she had to love her; and where was Pussy? "Here, Fuss, Fuss, Puss," she called; but Pussy did not, as usual, spring into her lap with purr and rub her head against the lady's chin.
 "I hope nothing has happened to Pussy," said Miss Monckton, in fright; and rising, went around the house to the kitchen end to ask Minty whether Pussy was there. But Minty had not seen the cat, nor heard the little bell it wore tied by 8 pink ribbon about its gray neck, and for two hours at least Miss Monckton searched house and grounds, and even the gardens of her next-door neighbors, for the lost pet. People were interested. After it was dark they came out wish candles CT antelns and looked in all sorts of pos sible and impossible places for Miss Moncktop's Pussy.
 At last the search was given up. Miss Monckton decided that her treasure was either stolen or dead, and went home to cry about it.. She sat up unusually late that night, hoping against hope, but Pussy did not return, and at last she went to bed. She did not sleep well, however, and just as the clock struck two started awake with vivid impress sion that she heard the cats familiar voice uttering a long-drawn, plaintive moan.
 Jumping to her feet, Mis- Monckton threw up her window and thrust out her night cap, and saw, by the light of the moon, which was gliding through sky of curds and whey, gray streak, which she knew to be the form of Pussy, scud across the white road.
 "Poor thing" said Miss Monckton, "some wicked boy has scared her. I'll go down and get her in.''
 Now, the facts of the case are these
 Pussy was not the martyr her mis- tress believed her. On the contrary, she was 8 culprit who had been fitly punished.
 True to her nature she was fond of fish, and seeing some set to warm on the stone hearth in Mrs. MeMahon's kitchen, had helped herself. Mrs. McMahon, detecting her in the act, and furious at the loss of her supper, had fogged her we'll and shut her up in wash boiler, from which she had just liberated her.
 The unwonted usage had suggested to Pussy that the world had turned against her, and consequently when her mistress, hastily attired in slippers and wrapper, appeared at the door, she re- fused to obey her voice, and instead of .ssstcoming,"a as she was requested, ran away.
 "I've no doubt those bad boys have been tying a kettle to her tail, or some thing" said Miss Monckton. "I must catch her." And catching up large water proof from the hall rack, she threw it over her head and ran down the village street.
 A cat chase is, as you will acknowl- edge, very exciting sort of thing. Fuss led Miss Monckton long one.
 Just when she thought she had her, the creature doubled and fled. When she actually caught her, she slipped through her fingers. At last, coming to that corner which was called by the Strawberryites "the crossroads" be- hold a carriage, apparently empty, and the door open, and into this open door rushes Pussy, flying from her best friend with the willfulness and inconsistency of her kind.
 But Miss Mockton was faithful. She saw the opportunity. of capturing her poor demented favorite, and, rushing to the carriage, thrust in her arms. h. stantly they were caught by mans strong hands, she was dragged in, the door shut, and before she could utter cry, the carriage was driven away at furious rate.
 As said, 1t was sky of curds and whey, and this was dark moment for the world. Miss Monckton could not see who held her, but she had no doubt that the purpose of the individual was murder. She tried to pray, but could only think of the first question in the catechism, and said these to herself in default of better i; but in moment or so, as no dagger was thrust into her heart, no pistol put to her head, she re- gained little composure. As yet she could not speak, but she. tried to see her captor, who still held her hand. Hor- TOT of horrors what was he doing now Plugging her.
 Don't be frightened, my love-" he said. Don't tremble so, my darling
 l will make you very happy"
 "Gracious goodness I" said Mis-,
 Monckton to herself, "have I lived tt
 be fifty years old to be eloped with l"
 And now she found her voice. "Open. the carriage door," she cried
 "let me out this instant I don't knoy who you are; but you never could mak
 me happy-never. Let me out p "Good Lord deliver us !" eiaculate,
 the still unseen gentleman. "Who i this ?''
 , At this moment the moon rushed ou from under a cloud and lay in perfec silver glory in a sea of blue. Miss Monckton saw her captor's face l "Its Humphrey Horton !" she crieG |; "I believe it is Miss Monckton '" sai X Humphrey
 a "What did You drag me into this na,