The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-07-27
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THE WHITE CAT.
c. Haadon Chambers In Belgravia


We called her the Duchess, 80 stately
aud handsome was she; and We were all
very fond Of her All but my old friend
/ Tom Harding
Directly you saw her your admiration
was caught, she was 50 large. her coat was
50 luxurian, aud white. and her tail vas
so splendid You would exelaim What
magnificent eroature" And when she
walked scdately to you, plaeed her great,
soft forcpaws on your knee, and with a
gentle whimper gaEed for a moment inte
your face before proceeding 10 the hearth
rug, you would say delightcdly What
perfect lady What charming man
ners She almost speaks r
we-that is my wife and I--werc ac-
custogaed TO remarks Of that kind AT
our friends made them upon first seeing
The Duchess. We expected them; We
looked forward to ,kem, and they gratise'i
us. for not having Al that time BEEN bless
ed with children. We lavished much Of cur
spare affection and pride upon our cat. In
the case Of Tom Harding We were disap
pointed The introduction went of very
badly. When onr fAvorite vas presented
Tosa regarded her with positive aversion,
when she rested On his knee be brushed
her of as though she bad been a snake,
and rising abruptly be walked to the
window
Nv wife and lookcl AZ each other Ia
silent surprise She raised her eyebrows,
aud drew down the corners of her pretty
mouth as though to say This friend os
yours 0f whom yOa have talked 80 much
turns out 10 Be perfect brute ] eOald
oaly reply with a shrug Of ,ho shoulders
which said, Ms dear, don't understand
il at al. Nor did l. had not sscn
Ton Harding for several years, but | re-
membercd him ~ a r,ally kind hearted.
generous itllow-raiher inclined 10 BE-
melaneholy, perhaps ibis mother was IRISH
and wrOte poetry but certainly with
nothing Of the abrale" about him.
when Tom returned from the window
be had another Surprise for US Tie had
consented 10 stay a few days with us; he
nox announced that he had overlooked lin
his eagcrness to BE- with me, bis old friend,
Of course D certain very important engage
meats. aud that, in fact, he would be NJ
-iuCEzhEIy compelled TO Fetura 10 town that
very evening. My friend excused himself.
addressing my wife, whose regrst was not
more than courteous, in nervous, almost
pleading tone. Oh, he was - sorry |
dida't believe him.
Tom. my boy we were sitting with
the decanter between US, after my wife had
left the dinner table-''Tom, my boy, |
said, you have no very important engage
ments IN town.
That was my opinion, aud | took an
old friends privilege Of expressing 1t
bluntly.
Tom started and eolored slightly.
aWhat makes you think 50 ? he asked,
,rifing with the nut crackers.
Il don't know exactly, but I'm sure
I'm right. You told Gertrude 6b-be
careful or your glass will be oyer-but you
haven't the eourge TO brazen it out with
me?'
.Nousensel Why should l tell your
wife fb?'
"Why, indeed IL was very wrong Of
you-take another cigar if thai one won't
bnrn-you can only make reparation by
| telling her husband the truth.
"My dear fellow, have nothing to
confess, said Tom with slight irTitabillty,
as he cut about half an inch of fresh
cigar. How ] do hate TO see good cigars
mutilated D
Confess why you changed your mind
about staying so suddenly Come, | added
as he made no reply, "I'Il help you. Some
one in this house is obnoxious TO you?
"Who can it be p exclaimed Tom ban
teringly, with view to hiding his eonfu
sion
Our beautiful cat ehanced at that mo
ment to leap from the lawn to the window
sill.
s'The Duchess" | said quietly, pointins
with my cigar.
Tom Harding turned pale-yes, this ole
friend of mine, full grown man, actu
ally turned pale at the sight OF white ca
on window SILL Il was most extraordi
nary. So great was my surprise ant
curiosity that let my cigar go out.
The Duchess eyed us calmly for fey
moments, and then jumping down sh
walked over to Tom with the evident in
tention-forgiying creature of making
another attempt to cultivate his acquaint
anee. Tom rose and walked to anothe
part of the room.
'For once your grace has failed to con
quer," I remarked, STOPPING to caress m
favorite. Then | led her to the door an
bowed her out
| was a little annoyed, and | suppos
Tom guessed it, for he said when | rC
turned to the table: 81 am afraid you al
offended with me-
! 'Not with you, but with mystery.
hate mysteries let us change the sui
ject."
( NO." he replied, nervously; 81 owe yo
3 an explanation. This disagreeable inc
It dent has forced confession upon me"
aLet us change the subject, " | repeate
l. | was beginning to pity him, he SCENE