The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-02-14

hNbiial NhuYs
After supper the quiet little guest
played on the floor, while Mrs. Hal
leck "tidied up" The child gathered
about her sundry little odds and ends
and constructed a playhouse. Then
she began to whisper to herself. and
once she laughed-a natural, sponta-
neous, quickly suppressed outburst.
When the lingering sun had quite
dropped behind the parsonage hill
and the frogs began to croak in the
marshes, Halleck raised his head.
Here, you!" he said, surlily. Get
your cat and start"
Rosy got up, dlsmayed. The bits
OF broken crockery tumbled from her
lap, and in the darkening brown eyes
silent tears gathered
20, Dayy," Mrs Halleck remon-
strated don't brighten her! It is get
ting dark now. Come, mother will
go a piece with you. Get your kitty.
Rosy"
She obeyed silently, pulling the cat
from under the stove by the tail. The
cat offered no resistance, but pressed
its big head close to her cheek and
purred affectionately. Halleck watched
the three-his mother, the dangling
cat, the brown baby-disappear be-
hind the dogwood thicket; and the
cid ache of bereavement ate fiercely
at his heart. IF Min had lived" he
thought, and hid his face in his hands.
Mrs. Halleck and Artwell's Rosy
went lingeringly through the soft twi-
light. 1t was so pleasant in the out
door world! Mrs. Halleck liked to
hear the frog chorus, watch the FIRE
flies, feel the cool air upon her face.
Let me carry pussy" she sug-
gested "Ee won't scratch, will he?
He looks so gentle--such nice kitty.
What do you call him?"
No, he won't scratch. He's my
cat-father gave him to me. so he
did. He's Puff. You can hold him
while. Don't you wish he was your
cat?"
Certainly. He is a nice cat-a
pretty cat"
AS he was transferred Puff showed
no concern further than to cease his
purring.
i guess you are lonely without
your father, and miss him very much.
So you love Puff, and pet him a good
deal. He is a fine cat. Are they
going to keep you at Br. Willett's?"
Rosy shook her head. 81 love you, j."
she said, succinctly. 81 love him.
I'm goin' to stay"
But can't take you, dear! My
boy won't let you stay. You mustn't
come back any more. He won't like
it if you do"
She was certain the child under
stood, and apprehensive of no further
trouble, kissed her kindly at the par
sonage gate. But the next morning,
rising late-it was Sunday-she saw,
on opening the door, Rosy and her cat
sitting on the wall. The self-invited
guest trudged into the kitchen.
well, I'll be blessed. Halleck
withdrew his head from the towel
and stared you little imp, what
did you come back for? Get out,
now. One-two-three-quick! One
two"
But the little chair in the corner
was occupied, the cat under the stove,
and the mans brawny arm dropped
helplessly. "Tll be-blessed!" he re-
iterated, and resumed his toilet.
The child ate her breakfast as she
had done her supper, in Halleck's
high chair from the painted plate.
And Puff had his saucer of milk under
the stove.
Then Rosy elaborated her playhouse
in the corner while Mrs. Halleck went
about. her work in perplexed silence
When she had finished, she put on
her bonnet and clean apron.
Gomez" she called, holding out heg
hand Come. you must go back owe.
there. can't possibly let you stay
dear Get your kitty and come You
mustn't run away any more l dare
say Mrs. Willett is very uneasy about
you"
Mrs. Willett was not uneasy; she
mad not missed the child. She hat
seven children of her own, and mani
fold duties to perform. Taking the
truant in charge, she child her.
you mustn't run off, Rosy" she
said. you might get lost; something
dreadful might happen to you" Their
turning to Mrs. Halleck, she added
Mr.. Willett will have to turn he
over to the town. l don't think any
one here wants her He should have
done so in the first place-but there
You know Mr.. Willett! | SHOULD