The Washington times., 1901-12-22

the pillows, and icly wondering Why other
people did net make their sumner cot
tages as attractive as her mother had
made this one. The sight CT young man
coming across the tennis court caused
her TO sit up suddenly. By the time he
had vaulted over the net, and crossed the
lawn. the quick color had faded from her
cheeks. and she nodded gaily to him as
he waved his hat.
where on earth did you hail from
she asked. astonishod, as he came within
hailing distance.
From the Etruria. in New York. Mon
day" he answered eagerly. How are
you, and what are you doing with yourself
just now?"
I'm pretty we'll SIT down on that
camp stool and let me lcol at you. Tom
Bradley" she said. as she shook hands,
Il suppose YOU are more conceited than
ever after year abroad"
Couldn't he possible" the young man
replied calmly. IF this camp stool goes
down With me, and / get stains on these
duck trousers, III sue you for damages" ."
Your mother must be glad to have you
back again, said Nan. Il should be if
were She
Thanks. SO kind Of you. murmured
Tom. Mother and father have taken
the Bartlett cottage for the summer, SO
came right out here TO join them. /
thought mother'd eat me up the day got
here"
Il suppose you've come back with a
trunk full Of photographs to enlighten us
poor bcnighted heather with" sighs1
Nan, who had ascribed another reason TO
his sudden appearance on the scene;
''such rs Westminster Abbey, the Poets
Corner Parliament buildings. and all the
cathedrals. I've had friends travelling in
Europe. before. Did you climb the Mat
terhorn? Or slide down Mont Blanc? Or
ride in house boat?"
"Please be sensible. Nan said Tom.
flushing. Il won't tell you 4 word about
Europe If you don't want me to- l thought
you'd like to hear all about my trip"
Perhaps / might. Tom. if Europe hadn't
been done brown by all my friends, long
ago: and each one thinks he has done such
a wonderful thing that he must exhibit
his knowledge and his photographs to
his ignorant acquaintances. / am so
tired of IL I never want 10 go myself.
e''You were very good TO write TO me.
II you felt that way about it, Nan" said
Tom humbly; though, TO be sure, you
didn't write very often"
"0h, ] wrote to you because you were
such an old friend CT the family, and
mother enjoyed your descriptions Of seen
cry so-and all that, you know
why, If / had known that" Tom re-
piled. II would have written TO her in
stead. OF all sad words of tongue or pen
the saddost are these
please. raa'am,' piped up shrill voice
behind Tom, will you look here for a
Ininute?"
Tom turned around suddenly and spied
very tiny girl standing in the tall grass,
holding very big yellow cat in her arms.
She was thin and bony and the cat was
fat and heavy, SO her task was by no
means an easy one
Scuse me. Miss Man. the child said,
noticing Tom for the first time, Il didn't
know you was engaged"
wv. aren't yet, but hope TO be soon"
obser I'd Tom calmly. Who is this fair
damsel. Nam"
she's little girl in my Sunday school
Glass; said Nan, frowning at him What
IS it, Mllly. my dear?"
Please, Miss Nan. you was tellin'
your class on Sunday OF how fond you was
of pets" began the girl, 'and ma said for
me to bring you over our cat 10 see If you
wouldn't keep II for US while We goes to
the city for week"
ITO be sure Will" cried Nan, gather
ing s!!::~ cat into the hammock with her.
Isn't he big one. thought"
Hes got collar on, too said the
girl. pointing proudly to the leathern
band about the animals neck. 1T says
'Munger's Cat on it-fhat's ours, you
know. He's got two names. himself. Jim
calls him Tom. which / don't this is
very pretty. so ! call him Jenny
Hes nice and fat" said Tom soberly.
''He must get lots to eat"
Sure he does cried Miliie enthusiast
tically. He eats like house afire, he
does
i've heard fire called Z 'devourlng ele-
nent' somewhere before, said Tom medi- !
tatiyely. What does he eat?"
"oh. everything" said Milly proudly. !
'and lots Of it. He has fits sometimes"
Dear met" cried Nan, Il hope not"
"If you're real good to him he'll out
grow them. i guess" vouehsafed Milly. |
"IIe don't have 'em often"
For all small favors let US be duly 1
thankful. Well hope he'll postpone his |
CT until after he's returned said Tom.
''we'll be good TO him. Good by. Milly,"
he added as a gentle hint.
4 might as well take care OF 1t regu
larly." said Nan with laugh. as the lit |
tie girl ran OF over the lawn. "slunger's |
cat spends most Of its time over here as
Il Is. catching birds"
'It's not very pretty. Is IL ." said Tom,
regarding the animal obviously. But
there's n great deal OF him"
Il think he's splendid" said Nan In
dignantly. "and I'm foi.g 30 take him in
md show him to motle. Don't you want
TO como too" she asked. as Tom arose.
No. thank you. I've got TO go home. as
mother doesn't know I'm out So long.
sec you later"
Nan stood looking after him for min
nte or two, and then went in at the little
side door. With Munger's cat in her arms
she expected TO see Tom again in the
evening, but he did not come, and she
went TO bed feeling oddly provoked with
him. lie ought 10 know how nice 1t |
seemed TO have him back after SO long an
absence. even il she had been too excited
10 tell him OF it. She wouldn't add TO his
cnnc..iI La. tnIIlnr In, .u.aa.i... II, L. !