The Press., 1891-09-03

said to Maisie, who still fingered They will have service as usual"
 No, thank you said Maisie. No believe not No. 1t is excusable not to go in."
 Certainly" said the policeman. Per haps you'd better walk on in that case. madame"
 Yes" said Maisie, but she stood still.
 Upset by what has happened?' said the policeman, taking her by the arm. +"lt was shocking. Now which way do you go, madameY
 I don't know" said Maisie: "I can't think. Where would you go if you were IY
 Why home, of course" said the DO liceman, looking at her gravely.
 'Yes," said Maisie slowly. ''Oh, yes. !" She allowed him to lead her to the cor ner, whence he returned to his post.
 There was little garden spot sur rounding the church containing some well rolled grass and few flower bor- ders. The cellar windows opened on this inclosure, which was set about by iron railings. Maisie drew close to these railings and leaned upon them Her eyes were fixed on one of the cellar windows. from which lean black cat was creep ing slowly, looking suspiciously about it.
 "Ah." said Maisie in low tone "Ah, SO it is as thought. What fools people are to say she is deadi A black cat? Yes, of course she is changed into a black cat" r..-
 The animal, d half starved creature, deserted by some former owner, uttered low cry, and springing to the stone curb in which the railings were set, came creeping toward the spot where Maisie stood.
 Pussy" Maisie called softly Here. pussy, pussy, come to inc"
 The cat advanced slowly. With a quick motion Maisie thrust her hand through the rails and clutched the loose skin at the back of it's neck and held it fast. All animals were fond of Maisie, and after little batting and coaxing it was quite quiet. and she helped it squeeze it's attenuated sides through the up in her arms and held it fast, and walked along the street until she came to little shop where milk was sold This she entered
 Will you let me have pint of milk for my cat," she said, "and nice saucer to feed it fwom? She is most particular about her china" :<
 The woman of the shop laughed as she measured the milk and filled big china saucer.
 The cat, which Maisie still held fast. lapped the milk eagerly. purring cheer fully the while. t~
 She seems hungry" the woman said.
 Yes" said Maisie, -"she has been locked up in a church for q day and a night, poor thing. Take little more, Eugenie; you shall have all you want"
 'ls your cat named EugenieY'' the woman asked.
 Don't you think it a pwetty namey asked Maisie "To be sure it's young lady's name; but she don't look the least like young lady, does she? No-of course not"
 Certainly not, ma'am.~ said the woman. staring at her. : ''Nor bit like an enchanted prin- cess," said Maisie .r
 'The milk is three cents, ma';rm.' said the woman. stepping back little.
 Maisie gave her the change. gathering the black cat up in her arms. :,
 Her nails shall gwow sharp and her teeth shall gwow lang, and on her four feet she shall gang" she sang softly. 'l should think it much better to be a cat than a fiewy dwagon, shouldn't your she asked the shop woman in a confidential tone, but before the latter recovered from her astonishment she had skipped out of the store. 'That lady is crazy" the woman said calling to some one in the back roonl-
 Fuss, the meekness of starvation over, was struggling violently. An empty cab passed. Maisie hailed it.
 "A cat is bad thing to carry about, miss" the cabman said as he helped her into the vehicle Maisie nodded vehe- mently.
 Where to2" he asked.
 "WhereY' repeated Maisie; ''oh. to the Centwal park-it's lovely wide. You'll enjoy it, Eugenie." This to the cat as they drove off.
 When they were alone together Mai sic, holding the cat fast, addressed it sol emnly:
 Il couldn't help it, Eugenie. never would have done it if you had not stolen my Woy. But you shall have evewy- thing you want will make you bed with sheets and pillows. You shall have a golden collar, and 1 will have your ears pierced and put carvings into them Eugenie. be good; don't scwatch so," s2'
 But the cat, unmindful of these bland ishments, shrieked iercely. struggled more wildly than ever, and digging its claws into Maisie's hands, tore them ter rbly and escaped into a corner of the cab There it sat, splitting and miaoul- ing and making an occasional spring at the nearest window, until the vehicle had entered the park and been driven as far as the Mall, where the driver alighted and opened the door with a view to re- ceiving further instructions from Maisie. As he did so the cat dashed out of the door, and flying like mad thing along the winding path was out of sight in a moment.
 "Why, how she's scratched you, missy the man said compassionately. looking at Maisie's bleeding hands.
 ''So she has," said Maisie, glancing at the deep scratches and winding her handkerchief around the hand worst wounded.
 She's like a tiger said the driver. ''that baste. s,
 Worse" said Maisie. '.She wanted my Woy. That could not be pewmitted. you know; want my Woy myself"
 ''Is it your bird? Did she kill it?" asked the cabman. Indeed my wife would never have cat about the house since one of them devoured the finest canary on us that ever sang"
 Maisie laughed. 'Eugenie can't sing any more." she said "I'n get out now. nloasa"