Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-07-19

| Perhaps Dorothy was to be assistant Gu
rate in more particular sense. Strange
to say, felt jealous. But / was prevented
from asking any questions by sudden in
PRODUCTION to another inmate of the house.
Something stirred behind the curtain at
my side, and out sprang large white cat,
which, having been disturbed in its sleep.
dug IT'S claws into the carpet and arched
its back in cat fashion and then leaped
into Dorothy's lap. Dorothy began to
fondle it, stroking its head, putting her
head against its, and performing those
many little tricks which ladies and cats
enjoy. Now l abominate the whole feline
race, but the thing hate most in the
world is a white cat. And this cat espe-
cially won my detestation. Its fur was
spotless white, and the fact that l could
find no fault with it made me hate it the
more. Dorothy spoke to it an dkissed the
animal. loathed it.
Il hate catsw l cried.
"Popsy hates men," Dorothy serenely
replied. "Mr. Arthur Jones, our curate
you know, is the only man she will allow
to touch her."
perhaps he is not the only JONES' l
said, feeling more jealous STILL LET me
try"
But Popsy did not approve of my pat
ting. Somewhere from her interior pro-
ceeded a low rumbling, her ears were laid
by, and l judged it wise to relinquish the
experiment
"We are to be enemies, then," / said;
and l fear | was scornful of Dorothy's evil
dent affection for the cat.
Here Dorothy suggested that we should
walk in the garden. / agreed, and that
walk was the first of many. Before
fortnight passed was madly in love with
Dorothy. was distractedly happy when
in her company. But / felt some little
uneasiness because of the Rev. Arthur
Jones and the white cat. had watched
was brig hit, happy-faced young cleric, and
his behavior left no sort of doubt in my
mind that he loved Dorothy. And his
high spirits seemed proof to me either
that he had won the lady or fully expected
to do SO. Scarcely night passed without
my dreaming of him or the cat. In one
of my dreams l saw an ancient sybil
warning me with outstretched finger to
beware of the white cat, and as / gazed.
fascinated, at the animal, the form of its
countenance was changed, and / saw the
curate's face, wreathed in triumphant
smile.
Time sped rapidly away. l went with
Dorothy to picnics and garden parties; 1
took her for drives, walks and rides;
boated with her, played tennis with her,
and listened to her singing. | regained
my health, and lived in an elysium. /
determined that my vacation should not
close without question and an answer
mine the question, Dorothy's the answer.
| loved her; did she love me?
| suffer from an embarrassing defect of
constitution. l can talk to the bewigged
solemnities on the beach without quick
ening of pulse, but with ladies, if ever l
wish to go beyond mere society talk, / be-
come nervous and confused and stammer
painfully. Although l had made up my
mind to ask Dorothy ms question, day
after day slipped by, and it was still un-
asked. The last day of my visit came. l
was to leave by the last train, at 10 o'clock.
| passed the day with Dorothy, but said no
word to her Of what was on my heart.
Dinner-time came, and still l had said
nothing. Lady Pownceby, after declaring
that she would forego her nap on this my
last evening, went to sleep in the drawing
room, while Dorothy and / sat in our
favorlte seats by the window. She had
some needlework, but not stitch did she
make. had book, but not word did
read. The dogcart was to be at the door
at quarter past nine; it was now half
past eight.
"Are you sorry your holiday is over? ?"
Dorothy asked.
"Very," | said laconically.
Another silence.
'Will you have much work to do when
you get home?' she said
~ hope So"
Silence again.
'You will forget all about u.s."
"Never."
A quarter to nine.
Twas in a dreadful state. l was hot and
cold by turns. could not sit still.
Nine o'clock.
Still l had not asked my question.
Many times / had opened my mouth to
begin; then something seemed to grip my
throat, and / could not utter word.
Five minutes past nine.
/ was in agony! / looked out of the
window; l 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 pleas
ant company"
l thought she spoke coldly, and saw
again the metamorphosiso of cat into curate
May hope that you would be pleased
to see me again?'
"Oh, yes !"
Silence
Ten minutes past 9!
Dorothy"
''Yes~
"Will you-can you-are you engaged
to the curate ?"
"Oh, no ! How absurdr
"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 tell you -"
S-s-s-s-sh A prolonged hiss startled
us both. l had come close to Dorothy,
and my right hand was approaching hers.
felt sharp pain in my fore finger; and
the white cat few out of the window re-
cess, glared and spat upon me and sprang
into Dorothy's lap. stood up and cursed
that cat; Dorothy uttered little cry !;
Lady Pownceby awoke and said, Dear
me- Have been asleep?' and a servant
entered and said, 'The dog-cart is waiting
tor Mr.. Oswald Jones'"
l had ....me only to see my boxes car
ried 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 re-
garded 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 began to see
4 +b14 I laJ ,,,ola n fool -