The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-12-30


house almost all night and once and
again fancied they heard cry of
Jason, Jason!"
Early NEXT morning they knew that
Mrs. Mott was almost distracted over
the prolonged absence of her pet, and
offered reward of one dollar to the
boy who should bring him home-a
most unlikely event, for all boys were
foes to that pampercd feline.
Not until the morning of the sec
ond day did Mrs. Mott give up hope.
Then, standing mournfully at the win
dow, she saw Ezra pass on the other
side of the street, followed by his dog,
and an awful thought possessed her.
Ezra Mason knows what has be-
come of Jason!" she cried, bursting into
tears. "And to think l had meant to
marry him, in gray satin, on New Years
day!"
Late that afternoon Melinda Thomp-
son hustled in, her bonnet gracefully
encircling one ear.
"Well, Lorilla Mott, have you heard ?"
Heard what p said Mrs. Mott.
THAT Ezra Mason feeds that dog of
his out of the silver sugar basin he
had bought for your wedding present,
and let's him sleep in the silk quilt you
made him for Christmasl What do
you think of that?"
Think" said Mrs. Mott, slowly and
deliberately. why, l think that
man who will commit murder will do
anything"
"Murder?" gasped Melinda.
eyes, murder! For if Ezra Mason
didn't kill my cat, why doesn't he come
back?'
The strange family with the invalid
boy had received her advances coldly
and Miss Melinda's time and tongue
were entirely at Mrs. Motifs disposal
BY nightfall everybody knew that she
had accused Ezra Mason of killing her
cat. Later that evening. they also
knew that Ezra had said he would
never speak to II woman or cat again
And this was the 10Th Of December. and
the gray satin gown in which Mrs. Mott
was to have been metamorphosed into
Mrs. Mason hung ready in her ward
robe, while the ring. once more ex-
changed for larger one, lay forgotten
in Ezra's pocket
1t was New Years morning and Mrs
Mott felt fororn and miserable seated
before Ter nntasted breakfast. For the
first time, she regretted her quarre.
with Ezra.
IF hadn't quarreled with him he'd
never have killed JASON" she sighed
and I'd never have known he'd com
nit murder. Now-come int" she
FASTENED to open the door.
There stood shy little girl, and-Mrs.
Mott cried aloud-Jason. alive and in
the fur, was rubbing against her legs
and purring
"lle didn't kin him after all" she
cried; then. seeing the child's amazed
look. she said: where on earth did
you find him. my dear? Was--was he
much hurt?"
"lle wasn't hurt nj all, ma'am. He
come to us five days ago; my brothers
sick and we didn't know the cat was
yours-my brother kept him in his
room all the time. The butcher boy
saw him this morning and told us"
II suppose he tried hard to get away
and come homer" faltered Mrs. Mott.
Nom lie wanted to stay and had
to carry him part way"
AS the child was going away with
the dollar Mrs. Mott had thrust upon
her. that lady stood outhe Doorstep
with the door closed to prevent Jason
from following his new friend. She
saw Ezra approaching across the street
and said. bitterly: ITO think l quar-
relied with him over an ungrateful
beast that forgot me in FIVE daysl Nan
cyl she called. suddenly.
Yes m" said the child, stopping.
you can have the cat if YOU want
him. don't" Then she went into the
house and shut the door.
rive minutes later tremendous
Knock brought her TO the door. There
stood Ezra with the now weeping Nan
~, who held Jason in her arms.
Here's your cat" he said. shortly.
this child says q nice crazy lady gave
him TO her"
\ gave her the cat. Ezra Mnson: 7
n