The Advocate and news., 1898-11-02
BY MAsLE Dlccs.

mamma, I'll let you know, and it's not
for you to be debating to me. You are
nothing but pauper, and you are not to
be impudent to me, young lady, or I'll
pack you off to the refOrmatOry. Come
in now"
Helen followed her aunt into the sit
ting-rOom and took off her hat, which
she threw on chair.
"Pick that hat up, Helen, and hang it
in the hall. Never throw your things
around like that" Miss Hannah said.
Aunt Hannah, when are you going to
have tea?" Helen asked, presently.
when I get ready" her aunt snapped
| The days passed slowly by to the poor
child but not unpleasantly. She helped
with the mornings work and then would
go out to the barnyard and play with the
little chickens, and one day she found the
old yellow cat in the hay loft with two
Of the sweetest little black and yellow
kittens she had ever seen. She sat down
beside them and passed her little hand
over their soft little bodies. The old
cat purred contentedly and Helen patted
her yellow head and said:
"Tabby, you must be good to your
kittens and not be like Aunt Hannah.
She is real cross and stupid"
She told her aunt about them and the
next minute repented bitterly.
KITTENS! Sahes alive! They must be
killed before they get their eyes opened" 4"
Helen gasped and looked at her aunt.
Are you going to kill those kittens?"
she asked, anXiOusly.
yes" her aunt said, shortly.
After Helen had gone to her little
room she sat in her little white night
gown, wondering what she should do to
save those little kittens. She heard her
aunt lock the doors and then all was
still Should she do it? Yes she would,
and, slipping out of the door, passed
softly through the sitting-room and at
last reached the outside door, 1t was
bolted and she was afraid If she slid the
bolt back it would make a noise and
awaken her aunt, so she went to the win
dow and raised 1t gently and then let
herself down to the ground.
The moon was shining brightly and
she could see the barn clearly and she
sped along in her little white gown and
bare feet to the great heavy door. She
pushed with all her might and at last
1t slowly slid back and she was in the
dark, gloomy barn. A shiver ran over her
when she saw how dark 1t was, but when
she thought of the kittens she grew
brave and hurriedly climbed the stairs to
the loft.
"Tabby, Tabby, you must come with
me, and we'll save your kitties, she said,
kneeIing down nv the old cat
She put them all in a basket and car
ried them to and old building which was
used for rubbish house, and setting the
basket with the cat and kittens in she
closed the door and then few back to the
house.
Next day Miss Crosby took sack, and
telling Helen to follow her she made her
way to the barn and on up into the loft.
Where are those kittens, Helen?" she
said, turning to her trembling niece.
"They were here yesterday" Helen
said, slowly.
But this is not yesterday" her aunt
snapped. what have you done with
them? Speak," she commanded, as she
saw Helen's hesitancy.
"Yes'm," she faltered
"Where?" Miss Crosby commanded.
Il won't tell" Helen said, looking up
at her aunt decidedly.
Wont tell! insist, miss, upon your
telling me where those kittens are. Do
you hear?"
"Yes'm."
Are you going to tell?"
Nom"
"Helen!"
"Ma'am?"
Tell me this instant where they are