The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-02-17

watch, and nothing happened. At last he
bethought him of ruse. He went out in
cab, left it few blocks away, returned, re.
entered the building by side door around
the corner, and hid in his room, leaving th,
door on crack, and holding tight to a
long ribbon around pussy's neck.
For q time all was still. Then faint
rustic of skirts was heard in the hall.
Pussy !" cried a soft voice. "Pussy n
The steps came nearer. woman appear
ed at the door.
Pussy pussyI pussy |" she called, and
entered. lyon darling" she cried. "I
have you at last.n
Then suddenly mans hand came down
on her arm, and the gaslight glared over
the room.
" So I've caught you," cried Bachelor
Billings. " You're trying to steal my cat
The lady struggled and shrieked. MIR.
Billings looked at her.
What is your name ?" he asked.
My name-is Mrs. White" she answer.
ed.
iou uScu 10 DC Aitky lSeStef.
Yes" she faltered. "Do you know
me2 You-why, you are Benjamin Bill
lings!"
So they met again-he and tho girl who
had Tilted him. He was elderly she mid.
ile-aged; and the only friend either had in
the world was cat
So, after owing you so much misery,
madam, said bachelor Billings, you have
come at this late day 10 rob me of my only
solace"
=" All indeed it is the other way" said
the lady. After breaking my heart in my
youth, you come in my age and steal my
faithful friend-my dear, dear cat"
All you had heart, then ?" said Mr..
Billings
Tho lady began to weep.
Now that everything is over" she said,
should like to ask why you wrote love
letter to Minerva Brown"
never wrote love-letter to Minerva
Brown" said Mr.. Billings. "You wrote to
me that might marry her, but didn't
want her."
az saw the letter." said Miss White,
plaintively:
My DEAR Miss MINERVA offer you
any heart and hand, which yon will afford
ne great pleasure by accepting. To aid you
in your noble life-work will DO indeed a
pleasing task.
BENJAMIN BILLINGS"
/ remember every word She dropped
it from her pocket in the Sunday-school
library. knew your writing, and picked
1t up and read 1t. OIL how false you
we're
Mr.. White had proposed and been re
jected sat down and wrote 10 him at
once that had changed my mind. He was
"a very good husband !" sobbed Mrs.
White. 81 am now wretched widow,
with only cat to love; and you have stol-
en- that"
She looked up. Bachelor Billings stood
staring at her wildly.
Whatl" he gasped Has my life beer
sseeked b. So absurd a-ssssstalro Mra.
White, I thought you appreciated my
poems ?"
az did," sobbed the widow; "they are
lovely"
You didn't even know the name of the
book" snid Bachelor Billings. You made
an idiotic mistake-yes, mn idiotic mistake,
ma'am Miss Minerva had written to me
for contribution for the fair. The object
was-I forget what, but it was noble. I
offered her the blue and gold edition of my
poems, Heart and Hand. The note was
about that. don't fattor myself that Miss
Minerva would have had me If had offered
myself but did not want her, either"
Mrs. White gave scream-not loud, but
long.
Mr.. Billings thought that she was going
to faint and caught her in his arms. After
wards they had talk. When he escorted
her home he carried Lady Gay under his
left arm, while he gave his right to the
widow
Shortly after there was q wedding, and
Lady Gay now runs around cosy break
fast-table set for two, rubbing her Affection
ate nose against neat gray trowser-leg,
then against soft, dark cashmere morning
gown.
I'VE owe great deal to this cat" says
Mr.. Billings, patting her.
Indeed, we do" says Mrs. Billings
and fills saucer with milk.-Mary Kyh
Dnllns