The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1899-01-28
THE STRANGE FATE OF
LUCY-CAT.
[ANNIE L. MILLER.l

the landscape. The gloomy and dire.
fully suggestive garb Of the old fir trees
near the gate, had been changed to
dazzling bridal attire. The patient
tread Of the busy wayfarers slowly
formed path to the village; each pass.
erby left the track little more distinct
and marked his labors with the impress
OF another foot. Soon these prints
would closely overlap and the path be
complete.
Lucy cat sat on the windowsill gazing
up the road for her mistress. The morn.
ing had been long for her. Each favorite
cushion had been tried, but even the
old fashioned charm Of turning about
three times and plucking the warp into
slender irregular loops, had not brought
lasting rest. For hours che bad stretch.
ed her golden tortoise-shell length be.
fore the fire, and closed her eyes until but
line Of topaz light was family visible.
Lucy cat was beauty and che knew
it. 1t was her habit to pass through
the rooms with deliberate, arrogant step
and apparent indifference. Nothing
escaped her sleepy eyes. A keen OBJ
server could detect her emotions
through the curve Of her sweeping tale.
That beautiful long appendage was
capable of more expression than the
countenance OF many human being.
Sometimes, stiffly bristling, it resembled
q large furniture brush; then again the
yellow fur lay softly, insidiously in place.
but the angle at which the tail curled
meant much to those wise in cat lore.
Her tawny coat had sable, tiger-like
markings, aud deep brown mountings
brought out the golden flicker Of her
yellow eyes. Now CLEAN Of interest
mingled with the mystic flashes OF those
great orbs.
Far up the road young girl could be
seen, in red cloak and hood. carefully
picking her way thu Tough the drifts.
"You dear old Lucy cat she cried, on
coming in, and gave her pet a hug.
I'VE shall have sleighing, Lucy! sleigh
ing! and now it will last all winter.
Come and run in the snow"
Out through the open door went mis-.
tress and cat. Mary gathered a hand.
full Of soft snow. threw 1t playfully and
stooped for more. Already a yellow
form was moving away over the white
carpet, carefully planting each velvet
paw in the indentations and footprints.
Lucy cat vanished behind snow drift
and was seen no more.
Weeks passed of weary waiting to
Mary. but the golden beauty did not
return. The snow fell again and again.
and was packed in firm, frosty smooth.
ness on the highways. The sleighs sped
merrily over the surface, and boys and
girls with sleds and skates joined in the
winters happiness.
In the seat next to Mary at the village
school, sat boy Of her own age. named
Charlie Marsh. He had long been
silent and unobtrusive adorer, and now
wished to show a visible proof OF his
affection, Occasionally the laughing,
merry girl allowed him to carry her
books part of the way home, but never
far for fear Of the ridicule OF her own
family.
Charlie had planned when the snow
came. to take her for sleigh ride. 1t
was fashion among the boys to have
unioue robes Of furs for such occasions.
and he wished his to be the rarest and
finest. All the boys had been collect.
inc the skins OF animals in the hills and