The Washington times., 1901-12-22
great yellow cat awkwardly under his
arm Harry smoke first

! Nan" said Tom coolly. He caught ms
feet in a trap. and think they'd be i'm
proved by a little witch hazel"
Come up. Bradley. So much obliged.
said Morford. Here, take my chair; II
sit on the steps"
For all the world" thought Tom an
grily, "as if he owned the place" .l
I'm ever so much Obliged" said Nan
somewhat icily, in her effort to be inlif-
ferent. Come up and sat down while
go and doctor MIN up."
go, thank YOU" replied Tom, not
pleased at the prospect OF tete-a-tete
ised to take mother boating this after
noon. and have taRcn too long stroll
now" and he started OF again. He did
not walk SO rapidly. however. that he fail
ed to hear Morfori's remark TO Nan rs
she rose to go in. .
What an uppish young fellow he is,
to be sure!"
1t was a pity that Tom ansriiy quick
ened his steps before Nan answered. She
waited a minute to steady her voice, and
then said with painful distinctness:
"If Tom is uppish. Mr. Morferd. it is a
pity more young men are not like him; :"
and she slammed the screen door behind
here as she went into the house.
Tuesday, tho last day Of his vacation,
Tom spent on the water. rowing. He did
great deal of thinking, too, which left
him in very unsatisfed frame OF mind.
As far as he was concerned he felt that
his weeks vacation had been wasted, for
he certainly had not enjoyed it. He had
been boating. had played tennis and gone
on a straw ride with the hotel girls. but
he had felt all the time that they were
not like Nan. He could not bear the sight
of Morfcrd, and yet went SO far as to
imagine that Nan was engaged TO him.
though It made him pull harder on the
cars to think OF it.
l. was well on in the afternoon when
Tom. much disturbed by his days roiiec-
tions, turned the bow of the boat toward
home. as he neared the dock he was
greatly startled to hear feminine scream
fIom among the overhangrng willows on
the banks. He turned about suddenly,
and called out:
Hello. what's the matter up there?''
Mans troubled face appeared at once
among the leaves as she answered his
hail
"oh, Tom, Tom, please get Munger's
cat out! He fell in the water, ami can't
reach him" 77f7rr anf 10 no'ii4ua
Tom looked around and saw tho yellow
animal floundsring in foot of water. un-
der an cYerhanging bank which ii could
not climb. 1t was in no danger of drown
ing. so Tom became emboldened by cir
cumstanees. IN
"Confound Munyer's ocat, Why ydrn't
you call Morford?'' he cooily enqnired.
HE just dotes on cats"
Mr.. Morfords gone back to the city
with the others, said Nan impatiently.
DO do fish the POOR thing out!'
why didn't he stey?" queried Tom.
You seemed TO enjoy his society,"
II didn't ask him to. and besides. l
don't like him." said Nan. stamping her
foot Oh the grass. h"wirf You get that cat
for me?" ,--..z -
The bath will do him good, said Tom.
spiashing the water with his oars. "He
might have another fit If l touched him"
"oh, Toni cried Nan, running down
on the old wharf, I'm love you forever IL
you'll get the poor thing out before he
browns"
WHAT" Tom stopped splashfng. @ma
4 say, please get him OUT said Nan,
reddening.
IF you meant that. Eah. say It again,
said Tom solemnly.
I'll love you forever if You'll get him
cut" repeated Nan hastily. There now.
hurry up, I'm sure los dead now"
Pretty lively looking corpse" said
Tom. as he lifted tlro''Set"s struggling cat
into the boat do you want him there?"
No said Nan, drawing back. Let
him dry first. please"
Miss Nan. please. ma'am." said the fa
miliar voice OF Miliy. behind her. I've
come for Jenny. please. and much obliged
TO you" rp tn.g.
How dc you do. Mlly?" said Tom
pleasantly. We are drying the cat. He
had a fit the ether day from over eating,
and concluded that a warm bath would
be beneficial TO him. warrant the treat
ment to kill or cure"
did you have a pleasant time in the
city, Milly?" asked Nan kindly.
Sure we did," replied the child. pick
ing up the dripping cat. except the baby.
lie swallowed a pin, and had TO be 'speri-
mented on by the doctor Cost Eve dol
lars. and was pretty exciting"
Must have been-for the baby" said
Tom thoughttfully.
We've all enjoyed having the cat with
u.s." said Nan, "and well miss IT when it's
gone"
IF you ever want 10 give 1t away Tom |
said. send 1T to Mr.. Henry Murford, in
the city-I'll give you the address. No, |
but really. Nilly, Miss Nan became very
particularly engaged a few minutc1 ago." |
added Tom, holding out his hand to help |
Nan to the boat. into which she obedl- |
entity stopper; and besides. she's going |
for row, SO Wen have TO excuse you.
Wen invite her TO tho wedding" he
continued. fitting the oars nrmly In the |
locks. Il think she'd made a lovely
lower girl"
Then. as the boat Hoated rapidly away
IN obedience 10 his strong pulling. Tom
took out mis- handkerchief and waved Il
10 the little girl, who was still standing
IN the wharf, holding the damp. ugly cat
'he SO much admired
'GoOd-by" he called. "Good-by, Nun
gers cat!"
Proof Positive, But Awkward.
4 convict at a French nenal eetilnment