The times., 1901-04-28

picking the first violet Of the year when
the small come by chance announced
herself as a claimant for the lost daugh-
ters vacant place, they had named her
VTlet and taken TO her very kindly. All
this had happened a long, long time ago;
but although Nilet was, like her master
pretty little cat still, with feminine
vanity that insisted upon a perfectly
licked and glossy coat, with special lace
washing after every meal
The old man loved her dearly, for she
was e. more than a cat to him; she was
the last living bit O5 home left, and ne
had to part with her because his home
was broken up and done away with. She
was soft and warm and gentle, with most
loving ways, and now all these things had
10 pass out Of his life for pure oticialism
would take possession OF him' ana not Iet
go until parish boards enclosed MS dunb
head and earth received her own.
1t broke his heart that he could not eX-
plain matters to her, and so often the
twas for the best" he said to himself
over and over again, shed have bided
away from me more patient-like; but
there's no reasoning vi grieving, and
maybe get served bad"
His troubled thoughts were snapped
asunder by the hustle of an arriving cart,
piled high with the new tenants goods
and crowned by uprOOted goOseberry
bushes. He rose then with quickly beat
ing heart. while Nilet at his feet fuffed
herself out Indignantly at more intruders
upon IltlT DtlpNtu privacy. II seemed 10
Joe that a regiment entered with hob
nailed boots and headed by a red faced
matron who was evidently at high pres
sure with the eXertiOn Of ''ridding house" >"
She stared in displeased amazement at
the old man, who should have been gone;
the fuffed-out Vflet was quite beneath
her notice. Thorne explained himself
apOlOgetically.
IN be clean gone in moment. missus:
only waited TO pay my respects, and to
asst if you'd a mind to kip a cat-'tis a
wunnerful good cat, and turr'ble fierce
after rats and mice"
1t is TO be feared that he drew upon his
imagination for the rats, but as regards
mice he was perfectly in order. But for
her fever heat of business Mrs Foot a
kind hearted woman, might easily have
been touched into acquiescence by his
pleading face, quite working with anxiety.
Unfortunately. too, the foolish little cat
was making a perfect exhibition Of her
self under the stimulus of a dog barking
outside-he knew better than to come in
with that apotheosis of Indignation, evolv-
ed out Of mere cat. ready to hurl itself
in his direction. To coax her into more
seemiy demeanOr Joe took her up and she
quieted at once, feeling so secure in her
masters arms.
She's so knowledgeable." he pleaded
timidly, as his eyes wandered uneasilv
to the troop OF children, as though he
feared the mother might accuse him of
wanting TO take the bread out OF their
mouths, land not bit cOvetous or
greedy; she'll do with anything-tust a
few oddsics; and If she may bide long of
you, there's two-dree faggots in the back
house that you m kindly welcome to-"
His voice trailed off into hopeIessness
as Mrs. Foot eyed him and Vilet as
though she preferred their room to their
company, and enuncated a verdict which
entirely coincded with Liza Leggs that
children was plague enough and she
! couldn't be modered with no cats"
lie saw il was hopeless, so he laid his
Bible on the mantelshelf. saying he would
return for il I'd reckly minute" and sal
| lied forth with an old ferret bag in one
| hand and Vi'let held close with the 9TH
er.
| AS he made his forlorn way down TO
/ the river the cats fur was dabbled with
| the old mans bitter tears. TO have to
serve his faithful little friend this last
shabby trick-to have with his own hands
! to put to silence the living, loving thing