Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1901-09-20
THE BLACK CATS
D 3 WARNING D B
by Spencer Boyd.
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copyright, 1901, by Authors synaicste.)

A MAN and woman stood upon
n the broad piazza apparently in
the act of parting. A cat, black as
midnight, perched upon the girls
shoulder and formed pleasing con-
trast to her white dress, and set off
to advantage her blond loneliness.
Flora, in defense of her pet, was
wont to declare that it possessed a
soui That had once inhabited the
pooy OF one of the Magi, or even that
OF Aoroaster himself. For, said she,
ne literally worships fire, adores
al the sunny places, and his powers
OF divination are wonderful"
Mr.. Lyndon did not share her ad-
miration of the animal-it seemed to
regard him with a peculiar malevo-
lence.
just before leaving, she asked his
assistance in closing a number of
windows which had been left open
on account of the warm evening.
The situation of the house was
somewhat remote, sheltered from the
street by extensive grounds and inter-
cepting shrubbery, and to one I'M
familiar with the place, might have
appeared lonely.
This tendency was ordinarily re-
stricted through reason of the i'm.
mediate family consisting Of some
five or six persons, but for various
reasons, as Flora explained, almost
every member had been called away
from the city, and now there was
only her brother at home, though her
father was expected on a train that
arrived about midnight.
Mr.. Lyndon listened to this expla-
nation with great apparent interest.
1t was surprising, indeed, with what
gravity and attention he hung upon
her words, or, rather, it was natural
and flattering. Not the least pleas
ing element in his consideration was
that his regard seemed more deeply
enlisted as the evening wore to close
"a striking tribute to the girls fasci-
nations.
He performed the task of closing
the windows with great care, which
may have accounted for the time il
occupied, or perhaps he was de-
liberate rather than careful, so as ia
extend his visit and engage to the
furthest limit q social intercourse sc
charming.
Indeed it must have been the latter
reason, for one of the windows was
left unfastened, though the negli-
gence was not apparently detected.
1t was now near II o'clock, and all
having been arranged, Mr.. Lyndon
took his departure.
Flora passed into the house, and as
she did so, certain uneasiness pos
sessed her-an occult prophecy of evil
which she vainly tried to Danish
AS is usual with these impressions
the cause was direct, and, in this
case, even .mmediate; but failing
to appreciate the logic of the situa'
ton the girl -elt tormented and
mystifed. She proceeded to her
room more agitated than she would
admit, and especially oppressed by
the ghostly silence of the spacious
house.
A bat careered through the hall
creating intense alarm with its 81
lent ghost-like rushes.
The silence and the sound were
equally terrifying and intollerable
She determined to knock on her
brothers door, that, even though rid
iculed, her fears might be allayed
There was no light within, but she
persisted in her summons, first with
a timid appeal, then with peremptory
vehemence.
No answer was elected and finally
she opened the door. The bed was
unoccupied, and the girl realized that
she was alone in the house.
She then very cautiously deposited
upon the bureau package, the con
tents of which had quite recently oc
cupied Mr.. Lyndon's attention as wei
as her own.
She felt now that she had been Q
little indiscreet, for Mr.. Lyndon was
n comparative stranger, yet the de
sire for display had overcome hel
scruples and her judgment, and she
felt. with some regret, that she hac
allowed to go unchallenged laugh
;rr estimate of the casket's value
one very largely in excess OF the
ruth The casket contained some
score of diamonds.
Mr.. Lyndon, in the meantime, pur
eued his way towards the center o.
the city. Happening into a saloor
which was frequented by college
bovs he saw, with half dozen com
ro1es the brother whom Flora
thought safe within his own room
While Longing near the group he in
odvertently heard that the part,
were about to adjourn to certain Fri
vate rooms where the great Ameri
can game would occupy their atten
ton for some hours.
This. of course, was but slightly in
teresting to Mr.. Lyndon, so he pro
ceeded on his way, after discovering
tbat the train which Flora expected
a. twelve was some hours late.
He stood and studied the time table
with earnest attention, seemingly en-
orossed to the exclusion of oil othel
duties and diversions.
Flora determined to remail
dressed until her father should ar
live She was girl of more than or
d;nary courage, and, though at frs
The loneliness oppressed her, she fel
reasonably secure. She settled int
oosv chair and began reading.