Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-02-19

Rosy got up, dismayed. The bits
of broken crockery tumbled from her
lap, and in the darkening brown eyes
silent tears gathered,
80, Davy," Mrs. Halleck remon-
strated, don't frighten her! It is get
ting dark now. Come, mother will
go 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. 'lf 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."
mo, he won't scratch. He's my
cat-father gave him to me. so he
did. He's Puff. You can hold him a
while. Don't you wish he was your
cat?p
Certainly. He is nice cat-a
pretty cat"
AS he was transferred Puff showed
no concern further than to cease his
purring.
81 guess you are lonely without
your father and miss him very much.
So you love Puff, and pet him good
deal. He Is a fine cat. Are they
going 10 keep you at Br. Willetts?'
Rosy shook her head. 81 love you"
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
rome 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. o-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. "I'll be-blessed!" he re-
iterated, and resumed his toilet.
The child ate her breakfast as sne
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
II the corner, while Mrs. Halleck went
about her work in perplexed silence.
When she had finished, she put on
her bonnet and clean apron.
"Come." she called, holding out her
hand. Come, you must go back over
there. | can't possibly let you stay,
dear. Get your kitty and come. You
mustn't run away any more. | dare
say Mrs. Willett is very uneasy about
you"
Mrs. Willett was not uneasy; she
had not missed the child. She had
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" Then
turning to Mrs. Halleck, she added,
"Mr. Willett will have to turn her
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! l should
think" and the minister's wife
looked wistful-"you might find her
company"
Mrs. Halleck flushed painfully
'Davy doesn't like children" she fal
tered. "It's-it's quite out of the
| question! And | must beg you not to
| let her bother him any more"
Mrs. Willett sighed. ''I'll try not to-
| I'll watch her. And something shall
be done for her at once. l suppose
she can be put in the poorhouse-but
it is too bad!"
yes, it is too bad" Mrs. Halleck ad
mitted. In her heart she knew it was
very bad. She was desperately lonely
sometimes. The gruff, harsh, selfish
man, who seldom spoke save to give
| commands, was not the son of whom
she had dreamed.
Il declare!" she said, rising hur
riedly. ''I shall be late at meeting
and I'm OBTAINING you. Good-by.
hope you'll-do something for the lit
tie one. Good-by, Rosy. You mustn't
come back to my house any more
mind"
After the service Mrs. HallecF
| started home by way of the gap