The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-06
Mr.. GRAY'S RIVAL :
BY Eliza 0rne White.

to go to her aunt Lucy.
Dear little girl said Lucy, taking
her on her lap and giving her kiss.
Lucy, you mustn't kiss the baby; it
isn't good for her." Deborah said warn
ingly. ''And you hold her as if you
thought she was going to break"
MY baby isn't brittle" Esther re
turned gayly.
Lucy looked at the mothers bright face.
There is such athing as happiness in
the world she thought
After the Forsyths had gone to their
rooms to get ready for tea Miss Lettia
said: "Jack has grown a great deal. He
is much more of a boy than he was.
foresee we shall have trouble WITH
him."
To which Miss Deborah replied, eyes.
1 am sorry he is so rough. 1 don't know
what we shall do with Mr.. Gray"
1T is even worse than l expected"
confessed Miss Letitia. Lilly is less
quiet, too. 1 don't know how / am going
to stand the noise. l don't know what
Esther's nerves are made of. l am thank
full / never married"
II am glad | never did. thank heaven
every day of my life that l haven't
husband declared Miss Deborah.
Lucy said nothing. Was Letitia. who
had been the beauty and belle of Epping-
nam in her youth, really satisfied with
her unstimulating life of Incidence OF
body, Joined to gentle activity of mind ?
Wa sthis what it meant TO hive ceased
to be young? Should she herself in the
years to come, learn to be contented with
her life of trifes? Would Their ever be
che, L.
vious eyes at the women who, like Es-
Their, had the fuller life, with its greater
cares but higher happiness? Deborah
seemd satisfied too. but hers was the
content of the active woman who fills
every hour with loving, if sometimes
mistaken, service. They both seemed
happy with what they had and to crave
nothing more. Was it because they had
chosen their own lives, while she had
been refused the choice? How strange
that this noisy inroad of life from the
larger world, that filled her with such
keen sensation of joy, should be merely
tolerated by them!
Lucy, have you seen the cat?" Miss
Deborah asked two evenings later.
''No. Didn't you bring him in?'
80 course Ibid. took him out for q
little exercise, as usual, and then l
chained him UP in the yard. / do wish
the Simondses would keep their chickens
in the cellar, it would make life so much
simpler for u.s. she said, with the CLEAN
of humor in her eyes that always accom-
panied an especially preposterous remark.
'sThen I brought him in and put in the
kitchin, as always do. And now / can't
find him. Children" as Jack and Lily
came rushing into the room, "have you
seen Mr.. Gray?"
81 let him OUT said Jack.
''You let him out! You naughty boy.
He will stay out all night and probably
be chewed up by bigger cat oh, my
dear, dear Mr.. Gray! Jack, didn't you
know you were very naughty"
''He seemed to wan to get out awfully.
Aunt Deborah. He was mewing like fury
didn't know it was naughty, truly /
didn't. He is awfully brave, Aunt De-
borah, l guess he'll do most of the chew
ing up
II suppose he'll eat about dozen of
the Simondses' chickens" she said grim
ly. eff you had only waited until had
given him his supper! But he is as hun
d
can do now is to go out and see if we
can find him.
They made an imposing procession As
they set forth, Miss Deborah and Lucy in
the rear, while Lily and Jack dashed
madly forward.
What is the matter?" called Miss Ii
titia from the window, and when she
was told she, too descended into the
arena. Bridget Joined them with a saucer
of milk in her hand, while John and Es
Their, who were just returning from a
walk, increased numbers of the search
party. Alas! Nothing was to be seen
of Mr.. Gray in the Wyatts' premises,
so they proceeded to their next-door
neighbours house.
Francis Simonds was sitting ON the back
piazza sewing, when they approached.
''Row delightful this ISL he exclaimed,
thinking they had come for an afternoon
call. Bridget was in the background, and
Frances had not caught sight OF her and
the saucer of milk.
1--WE are looking for Mr. Gray" Miss
Deborah explained. by an accident
the kitchin-''
the glory of the exploit. He was NEW
ing awfully, and 1 thought he would be
HAPPIER"
Goodness" said Frances, rising has
tily, II hope he hasn't caught any of our
chickens
The chickens were safe. which seemed
to prove that Mr.. Gray's evening stroll
had been taken in the opposite direction,
so the little company changed its course.
Most of the party retrned discouraged
to the house, but Miss Deborah and the
children faithfully hunted far and near.
but although some persons went so far
as to say they had seen a stray cat, no
one had any definite news to give. and
gray cats were plentiful in tie neighbor-
hood.
II declare said Miss Deborah that
evening, II feel badly as if Mr. Gray Were
a person. worse, for people know when
they are doing wrong. To think of that
poor, dear creature out all night. He
has never been out a single night in
his life, bless his dear heart
1T is beginning to rain. 1 had pre-
sentiment that there would be trouble if
the Forsyths came on this summer" said
Miss Letitia ominously.
Mics I.afifia went n he'd and Slapt the