The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-09-08
II A GARDEN FAIR.

oiI-s .tsu!Oneu hcntiSl farm house.
y crl, gray eyed, russet haired, in
:: dainty blue frock, sat with some
EecG.e work on Il rustic bench in the
sanniest spot. To and fro, between its
mistress and the gate that opened on
me green hedged road, scampered a
kitten, Inadly frolicking with II stolen
reel OF cotton.
suddenly, with arched back and
swollen tail, "Fluffy" stopped short,
changed in an instant from the very
Incarnation of grace and innocence to
an embodiment of feline hatred and
malice, and all uncharitableness.
The cause Of the transformations
big st. Bernard dog-stood at the gate
still blinking in lordly good humor at
the little white fury.
Pussy, however, continued to spit
and swear in impotent wrath until
she provoked a short warning bark
from the intruder, accompanied by
smart pat from big paw.
And then, ere Annie Bristowe could
reach them, Fluffy, wild with passion,
literally flew at her foe. There was
an angry grOwl-a snap-a shrill
squeak-a vision of white fur tossing
to and fro, and then the st. Bernard
was growing sullen defiance to all
and sundry over the lifeless body of
the kitten.
You great savage monster" cried
Annie tearfully, as she bent over poor
Fluffy; IF only weren't afraid, I'd
beat you within an inch of your lifew
But punishment,--swift, sudden, con-
dign-had already overtaken the cul-
prit at the hands of stalwart, fair
mustached young man, in n tourist
suit who had arrived breathless ON
the scene of action.
Then, while the st. Bernard whim-
pered in undigni+ied fashion, the
stranger, advancing, raised his cap
and said pentently:
Your kitten, I'm afraid, Is quite
dead. Tn more than sorry that Rollo
should have so misbehaved. He has
the reputation of being a well coIsluc-
ted dog, as rule. ! assure you"
Indeed" retorted Annie, with polite
incredulity, and waxing furious as she
detected an amused smile, which he
AfAi DCth HuOllt W suppress,
lowering about the young mans
mouth, at sight of her tragic distress.
Indeed? l should hardly have thought
a well behaved or properly trained dog
would have rushed in that murderous
way at an inoffensive little kitten
She paused, half defiant half asham-
cd Of the petulant speech, while the
smile vanished from the others face.
Pardon me-" he said distantly; II
regret the affair as much as you do;
but | think you will admit that Rolio
was not, at ell events, the aggress1r.
l saw the beginning of the fray,
though, unfortunately, too late to-"
II seew Annie broke in scornfully;
you were near enough to witness it
all, but too far off, or unwilling, TO
prevent mischicf"'
And picking up the dead body of her
favorite she turned abruptly toward
the house. With truly feminine logic
she grew momentarily more furious
as she realized how completely she
had managed to put herself in the
wrong by her childish outbreak.
Rollo's master took step forward.
then paused irresolutely.
"Confound it ALL" he muttered.
''This is evidently the place, too. 4
promising introduction, upon my
word"
please, one moment"
She turned in grim silence.
This is Sweetbriar farm, l think? p
"Yes."
"And I have the pl-honor of ad-
dressing Miss Bristowe, perhaps?"
stiff inclination of her head was
the only reply vouchsafed by Annie.
"Then I'm afraid-I mean, believe
that ia" he stammered awkward
ly--"I am John Morton: Mrs. Bristowe
did not expect me so early but"
Annie uttered little cry of dismay
1t was the paying guest" as her
mother delighted to phrase it; for
whose reception puor hIrs. Dristowe
worn out with the un:nding struggle
TO make "oOtli ends meet" had been
preparing SO hopefuily-and tbs was
his welcome!
"No," she answered hiankjy. "she
U1u0t. 1Ou NTpsS us 10 HAiS'L you
by the Gao train, THE, hours frcM
row! We were going - send the :rin
10 meet you at rhe station. Iloweve1,"
forcing a hospitah!e srliic to her lips,
though her eyes Were, IL possible. more
resentful than ever, "siDce You have
found your way hete by yourself pray
come in. You are just in time for
tea. and mother" with !r0nic em2ha-
sis. will be only too pleased TO see
you"
Still bearing Fluffy's Imp little body
she led The way. tremendously, to the
quaint ivy-hung porch, John Morton
following in half amused, hslt EN-
barrassed silence, while Rcilo battered
dejectedly behind.
A week later found their visitor on
the best of terms with all the mem
bers of The Bristowe family, from the