The Washington times., 1902-05-11
T ON Y
BY KATHERINE BROWN.

possible and Impossible. of the neighbor-
hood, / got Carieton-for a champagne
| consideration-to take my place at the
Office for day, and. mounting my bicycle.
went up one street and down another.
stopping at hundreds of houses. where I
| gave all sorts of excuses for my appear-
ance, from Plea for drink to the loan
| OF monkey wrench.
All was in vain. 1t was s O'Clock.
llred and disheartened, turned home
ward.
Suddenly what did behold before me
on the top rail OF the very next fence but
large, yellow cat-a yellow cat with a red
glow on the tip of his tail. Then softly.
In the coo tone of n turtle dove, I whis-
pered. Tommy. Tommy"
have had day dreams awake into rea1i-
ties; have had hopes grow up into
achievements, but never had / expert
enced the ecstatic thrill felt when that
glory OF cathood turned and smiled to mel
Tommy" l repeated.
MaJestically the gorgeous feline arose
and saluted with proud arch of that sub
lime back. Then the dignity softened
into tenderness and he rubbed against me
and purred caressingly. And I think tho
little widow would have forgiven the mo-
ments Of disloyalty If she knew that. lust
FOR that tiny once. / forgot her in nv
personal Joy and pride that Tommy knew
and loved me. That dumb show of MEM
CRY and recognition touched me deeply.
But our affectionate tete-a-tete was
ruthlessly disturbed. A woman had spied
us, and with the suspicious of a guilty
conscience shrieked: What are YOU do
ing with my cat?"
1t isn't your cat," 1 thundered back.
stroking eiated Tommy. 1T Is stolen
proptry, and I'll have you arrested vet.
L"
How dare your" she retorted. running
toward me. Il raised that cat from a
kitten,"
l hate to hear woman lie. My provo
cation was tremendous. / yielded / sim
ply took Tommy under my arm and
scorched down the road.
Stop thief" screamed the infuriated
sapphira, but I and my nine-tenths of
law were at a safe distance.
But dear Tommy's nervous tempera-
ment had been affected.
1t is pity that bicycles weren't in
vented In Dante's time, for then. in the
lowest circle OF the inferno he could
have placed the most helpless sinners
on wheels, with yellow cats under their
arms to throw light upon the blackness
of their souls. But here on this mum
lane sphere, where suffering endurance
S not eternal. to sustain such a COM
oination was physical impossibility.
lad TO give up either my wheel or Tommy.
rhe first was worth its hundred; the sec
the priceless little widow,
So l risked my steel beauty behind a
he'd, and with struggling. clawing, spit
ing. enraged Cataline in both arms.
neaked on by ways and-back ways-to
he house OF friend. There | borrowed
huge telescope basket. and then, with
ny fruit of Hesperides safely. soundly
'ithin, l approached with loves Offering
iy Elysium.
1t was dark as | staggered up the stairs,
ut as l reached the little widows hall
door was flung open and she stood be-
ore me in the light
For moment thought the halo ever
ictured about her divine head had fallen
pom her bosom, SO radiant was the gold
a shine there. in the cleaning. Then
lie halo moved. and II tottered
You see. Mr.. Foster" cried the dear
tile widow rapturously "at last | have
y darling Tommy again, 1t was a prank
that awful nephew OF mine He would
ave kept my dear angel the whole week
1t hadn't been for MIR. Carleton. Mr..
arleton is SO clever. Mr.. Carleton had
inspiration. Mr.. Carleton thought of
reds awful ways. Mr.. Carleton stopped
the studio coming home today Mr..
irieton is so energetic. Mr.. Carleton
ought Tommy back to me himself Mr..
lrleton is so kindhearted. Only to
ink OF Mr.. Carleton carrying such
ad two whole blocks, Mr.. Carleton-but
hat have you got in your basket?"