The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-30
Tbe Cat and Tbe Princess.
BY ANNA LOW GLEN.

On A May day long ago there were porn two girl babies in a kingdom by the sea One was born to the Queen and the other to her wicked sister. The Queen smiled ihto her babys blue eyes and fell asleep so sweet, ly that they d.d not know she had aWakeheu In another country.
 The King, mourning for the Queen re- fused to see his daughter. She was chris tened Mimi, and was said by her nurse to be A beautiful child, though the lords ana ladies at the christening caught only glimpse of tiny form on p;llow' swathed In trailing lace.
 In the state cbamber the nurse rocked the cradle and droned lullaby On the floor lay large black eat. Ills fur wns llke plush. and his eyes yellow as topaz, except at night, when they turned to green Jade and shed faint light.
 Here, Marmo," said the nurse to the cat, "stir the cradle while l go below to speak with my cousins and other relatives
 Ore evening when the Princess Mimi was nearing three weeks old the queen slstei came to the palace under cover of the twi' light. carrying her child wrapped In her cloak. She was dark and had an evil temper. Her baby, too, was as Ill favored as the ilt- tie princess was fair and comedy
 The sister of the Queen talked long wlth the nurse and gave her many pieces oi gold. Then she lifted the Princess, ana piaeing her own child in the cradle, sald :Z NY daughter shall be Princess and Qneen, and, os inc peopie have not seen the child Mm'. no one will be the wiser. And shali rear Mimi. pretending she is my own
 They hnd not noticed the eat Marmo dur inc this conversation His back was arehed. his tail waved like plume and his jade green eyes emitted sparks. No sooner had the plotters left the room, leaving the Prin- cess on a couch than he sprang upon the md Inf iewel box by tying knot in his tail He then leaped upon the couch and, lifting the baby Mini by the nape of her neck, ran out of doors with her.
 Down to the shore hurried Marmo, carry ing the baby, until he came to fisherman dory tied to the pier. With velvet paws he stepped into the boat and dropped the princess gently on coil of rope Tn the stern as the heavy tread of the fisheripan was heard Then Marmo, taking from the jewel box q ring of little value, bowed courteously to the fisherman md said:
 sir, I pray you to accept this ring as fee for a passage across the channel for this child and myself"
 The fisherman wondered greatly, but he took the ring and rowed hard over the waves, for he feared Marmo, thinking him a magi- clan.
 In tdis way Narmo followed the fisherman to his cottage very fast Indeed, for the man was so terrified by his strange visitors that he ran every step of the way.
 You will do yourself no injury O fisher man." began the cat, "by taking from me this bracelet, studded with gems. In return for shelter and excellent cow s milk for my self and the child. A diet of such fish as you catch Is agreeable to me also"
 The fishermans eyes sparkled when he saw the jewels, and he replied:
 Tt will afford me great pleasure much esteemed cat, to extend to you the shelter of my humble roof!'
 He thought, Aha. Now know what Is in that casket."
 The fsherman's wife marveled at the strange pair, and the rich robes of the baby hut she set upon the board milk and fish ss