The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-20

PRODUCTION to another inmate OF the mouse.
Something stirred behind the curtain at
which, having been disturbed in its sleeep.
dug its claws into the carpet and arched its
back in cat fashion, and then leaped into
Dorothy's lap. Dorothy began to fondle
it, stroklng its head, putting her head
against its, and performing those many
Now abominate the whole feline race, but
the thing hate most in the world is a
white cat. And this cat especially won my
detestation. It's fur was spotlessly white,
and the fact that could find no fault with
it made me hate it the more. Dorothy
spoke to it and kissed the animal. 1
loathed it.
81 hate cats - I cried.
"Popsy hates men," Dorothy serenely re-
piled. "Mr. Arthur Jones, our curate, you
know, is the only man she will allow to
touch her.
perhaps he is not the only JONES'" 1
try"
But Popsy did not approve of my pattinR.
Somewhere from her interior proceeded q
low rumbling, her ears were laid by, and I
judged it wise to relinquish the experiment.
I'VE are to be enemies, then" ! saidi and
fear was scOrnful of DOrOthy's evident
Here Dorothy suggested that we should
walk was the first of many. Before fort
night passed, was madly in love with
Dorothy. was abstractedly happy when
in her company. But felt some little un-
and the white cat. I had watched the
reverend gentleman carefully. He was a
bright, happy faced young cleric, and his
behavior left no sort Of doubt in my mind
that he loved Dorothy. And his high spirits
seemed a proof to me, either that he had
Scarcely night passed without my dream
ing of him or the cat. In one of my dreams
I saw an ancient Sybil warning me with
outstretched finger to beware of the white
cat, and as gazed, fascinated, at the ami
NAL, the form of its countenance was
changed, and I saw the curate's face
wreathed in triumphant smile.
Time sped away rapidly. ! went with
Dorothy to picnlcs and garden parties;
took her for drives, walks and rides; ] boated
with her, played tennis with her and listened
to her singing. reRained my health, and
vacation should not close without question
and an answer-mine the question:: Doro-
thy's the answer. loved her: did she love
me?
suffer from an embarrassing defect of
constitution. can talk to the bewigged
solemnities on the bench without a quick
ening of the pulse, but with ladies, if ever I
wish to go beyond mere society talk, be-
come nervous and confused and stammer
painfully. Although 1 had made up my
mind to ask Dorothy my question, day after
day slipped by, and it was still unasked.
The last day of my visit came. was to
leave by the last train. at 10 O'Clock. I
passed the day with Dorothy, but said no
word to her of what was on my heart. Dim
ner time came, and still I had said nothing.
Lady Powncebv. after declaring that she
would forego her nap on this my last even
ing, went to sleep in the drawing-room,
blythe window. She had some needle-work,
but not stitch did she make. I had book,
but not word did / read. The dog-cart
was to be at the door at a quarter past nine;
it was now half-past eight.
"Are you sorry your holiday is over?"
every" said laconically.
Another silence!
"Will you have much work to do when
you get homei?."
II hope So"
Silence again!
"You will forget all about u.s.
"Never."
A quarter to nine!
was in dreadful state. was hot and
cold by turns. could not sit still.
Nine o'clock!
Still had not asked my question. Many
times had opened my mouth to begin;
Cu6u SOm6VlluR seemed 10 grip CQTOdG,
and could not utter word.
Five minutes past nine.
l was in agony! looked out of the win
dow; took out my watch; played with
the chain; crossed and uncrossed my legs;
/ blurted out
"Are you sorry am going?''
''Of course. You have been very pleasant
company"
l thought she spoke coldly, and saw again
the metamorphosis of cat into curate.
"May hope that you would be pleased
to see see me again?"
Silence!
Ten minutes past nine!
Dorothy
"Yes?',
the curate?''
"Oh, no! How absurd!''
"Can you-will you-do you-would YOU
like to be married?'
81 don't know" she laughed.
"Would you-could you-Dorothy-I must
S-s-s-s-sh!! prolonged hiss startled
us both. had come close to Dorothy. and
my right hand was approaching hers. I
felt a sharp pain in my fore finger; and the
white cat flew out of the window recess,
glared and spat upon me, and spranR into
Dorothy's lap. l stood up and cursed that
cat; Dorothy uttered a little cry; Lady
PoWnceby awOke, and said, Dear me!
Have been asleep" and a servant entered
and said. 1.-The dog-cart is waiting for Mr..
Oswald JONES'
had time only to see my boxes carried
out and to take hurried farewell of my
hostess and her niece, and then was driven
away to the station. And had not asked
my question.
II.
For the next two months devoted my
self exclusively to my work. / heard no
concerts, saw no plays. ate nobody's din
ners but my own; but took my guineas as
they came. had leisure to reflect.
mathematical the white cat, and regarded
myself as one with whom the gods had
dealt hardly. But for the cat, ! might now
have been the happiest instead of the most
miserable of mortals. I began to see dimly
that had made fool of myself. had
had months in which to say my say to Dor
othy; and then what an exhibition / had
made of myself at the last moment!
week before Christmas received kind
note from Lady Pownceby asking me to
give her and her niece-and her niece.-the
pleasure of my company during Christmas
week. laughed at the thouaht of it.
replied BY return Of post, exev ---aak