The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-05-07

gravy and ate It. piece by piece from
the end of a claw.
Gradually sensible idea stole into
olives mind. "He acts like per-
forming animal at q show" she whisp-
cred
"Hush!" quavered Elizabeth, tremb-
ling.
Tom. having finished his supper,
went back to his dead rat. Taking IL
up in his teeth, he approached a loose
board In the floor, clawed 1t up and de-
posted his quarry underneath. with
the evident intention of serving II at
some future repast. Next, he sat down
in the middle of the floor and washed
his face with painstaking care Then
he regarded the excited women in the
loft with wide yawn that disclosed
two rows of horribly suggestive white
sharp teeth.
He seemed to be buried in thought
for few minutes; then he approached
the bed in the corner. turned down the
blankets. got in. put his head on the
pillow. drew up the covers under his
chin. and begin to purr in loud harsh
gutterals. One paw lay outside the
cover and the watchers could see the
long claws alternately tighten and re-
lax with the rhythm Of his song; his
mouth seemed stretched in a soporific
smile as he sang himself to sleep. He
had dined, he had washed. he was COM
fortably disposed in bed what more
could a reasonable cat wish? He was
in a state of beatific somnolence.
Elizabeth" said Olive, I'VE are maxi
ing fools of ourselvesl That animal
Is tame"
'He may be tame" said Elizabeth,
doggedly, "and we may be fools, but
shall not expose my life to the caprices
of any wild beast"
So saying she doubled her feet in
like Turk, and leaned wearily against
a rafter.
ut reminds me of little Red Riding
Hood" went on Olive. "'What sharp
teeth you have grandmother
You ought TO be ashamed of yourself
for joking when our lives are in dan
ger!" snapped Elizabeth.
The loft was narrow and incommo-
dious and their positions we're cramped
and painful.
I'm going to rise a descent, any
way" said Olive, at last. I'm suffering
here. and don't believe the creature
will hurt me-"
She softly but resolutely put down
the ladder and descended. Seeing her
sister was not devoured, Elizabeth fin
ally followed. But they sat very quiet,
bolt upright on the hard wooded chairs
all night, starting convusively ever
and anon as Tom fitfully growled and
snarled. pursuing imaginary game in
his sleep.
The sisters holding hands and half
dead with fatigue, hailed with joy the
first beams of dawn; but then they had
a new scare, for Tom kicked off the
covers. sprang to the very ceiling, and
falling back on the bed, stood and glar-
ed at them. He seemed to hear some
thing coming. Soon the sisters heard
II, too-the hoofs of horse. The
horse stopped at the house, and a
brown bearded man entered. What
was the horror of the women when the
awful wild beast sprang up, put his
fore-paws on the mans shoulders, and
licked his face from brow to chin.
Down, Toni" said Abner, good-nat-
uredly.
Then his eyes fell on his visitors, his
astonishment becoming delighted re-
cognition. He took them both in his
arms at once, while veritable tears of
joy rolled down his cheeks. He was so
glad. so glad! But how did they get
there? Were they not tired and hun
cry?
Il see you have made the acquaint-
ance of my pet wildcat" he added.
I'm right glad Tom was here, for
though there isn't the slightest danger
of your being disturbed by anyone
hereabouts, still the cat is so much
company"
Were very, very hungry. Alb" said
Olive. who was half-laughing, half
crying with excitement and fatigue.
"The cat ate up the supper, and we
haven't had anything since yesterday
Moons luncheon"
"Yes, brother. and we're about tuck
cred out, too" added Elizabeth. 1--WE
sat up all night. The cat occupied the
bed"
"Thunder!" calculated Abner aghast.
What did you let him do that for?
Why didn't you pull him out?"
The two women looked at each other
shamefaced, embarrassed. Then Eliz-
abeth Strengthened up and replied with
dignity:
why, brother, 1t being your cat, we
thought we'd just humor him and let
him do anything he pleased! !"-Youth's
Companion.
In the Antarctic Circle.
The traveller who attempts to pene-
trate inland in the antarctic circle
must needs depend on the provisions