Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1900-08-25

nome 7
n fash OF white across the green of a '
vacant lot. He had intended to take !
her much farther. but felt sure she i
would not find her way hack again. :
Al twilight he saw Bridget 20 ont
Of the back gate with an old peach
basket covered with newspapers ON her
arm Prom the interior OF the basket
came feeble. bat continuous protests
IN the form OF plain'ive little squeaSs
aud walls he asked no questions. nor
asd Bridget upon her return vouchsafe
any information.
The following morning n small hoy
informed Mr.. GrimstoR that the old 4
LADY who lived IN the house with the I
extensive grounds IN the next block
wished 10 see him. She was the rich- /
est woman in the neighborhood and
was said 10 be eccentric and more or
less OF a terror to her acquaintance
Greatly surprised at her wish 20 see
him. and trying 20 surmise what her
object could be. Mr.. Grimston called
there on his WY TO the train The
maid who opened the door left him
standing in the wide hall, after sourlS
informing him that her mistress would
bc down in a moment.
The mistress soon appeared; she
was tall and large in proportion. het
mouth was so set with anger as 20 APP
pear almost square. and her eyes had
SO narrowed themselves a. TO be near
ly closed She seemed 20 fin the hail
with an atmosphere Of wrath
Il would have you know. sir she
said. I'm "A low. intense voice, that my
place is not pound"
Certainly not. madam" agreed The
F puzzled Mr. Grimston.
Then what do You mean by leav-
ing your wrctchcd cats here
lie understood her now. Bridget had
fet the kittens escape. and they had
entered this voman's grounds.
( oh he said. smiling feebly. ii am
, very sorry. indeed. IL missed my
s kittens. but had no idea where they
q had gone. Am very sorry they came
) here. but there H. no telling where
I cats viii wander. YOU know
Wander You don't mean 10 say
$ that three lSittncs viii wander away
T. in "a basket OF their own accord. d'
: you2 My youngest boy saw your mai'
y leave those eats on my back porch las
o night. Determined TO find who sh
was he traced her 20 your house"
- II sincerely regret this" he said, Il
a great distress. "Our maid is just owe
- from the old country. She does $40
e seem 70 understand half that we sa
10 her / haven't the faintest ide
p why she brought the kittens here
r His antagonist surveyed him cyni'
e. ally.
r 1t is your maids fault that the ol
le cat also is here?" she asked.
m Al don't understand" murmured NJ
is / Grimston.
IN Follow me, sir!" she commando
IN and preceded him 20 the hack porch.
lie AIasl There was the identical peaC
N basket. there were the three kitteI
a playing about. and. worst OF all. the
Dy was Mary Ellen herself. who arch'
il her back and affectionately rubh'
pa herself against him as one who 10
be fully greets an old acquaintance.
Ne i assure YOU. madam" declared q
ne wretched Grimston. ~that I had not
RS ing whatever TO do with sending q
eats heret"
he MY coachman passed your hou
Is. early yesterday morning" said -
he He saw you start out with this CO
ed when he returned an hour later Z
dI creature was IN my yard"
he Mr.. Grimston felt that were this
Is case of murder the circumstantial e
Ike | dence would be strong enough TO ha
him. He tried 10 explain. but 5
his would not listen. being one of tho
,re persons who like TO hug a grievar
nil TO their hearts and are loath 10 hs
IL explained away.
Der Take your animals and gO," s
,ns said.
,u. He put-the kittens into the bask
ny not without some difficulty. for N
objected strongly TO the arrangeme
nc then. taking Mary Ellen under
20 other arm. he bade the mistress OF
ali house polite good morning and W
-ac- out at the back gate, feeling that
exit was by no means dignified O
n. He carried his burdens home and
them in the cellar.
Nfr If you let those cats out of h
- again." he said 10 Bridget. relieved
IT, fsnd some one upon whom 20 vent
I;r~ wrath. 'you'll be sorry Tor it,"
The injustice of this explOs
r. wrought upon Bridget's feelings
- such a degree thar when he retur
oty home that night he found his '
.nS with a tragic brow preparing din
tho and was informed that the maid