The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-08-29

the bachelors sat In the solitude or
their parlors.
Suddenly the pipe fell from Mr.. Had
docks fingers. the cigar from Mr.. Null
berry's. The bachelors stood up trem-
bling and peered into the widows gar
den. Surely-surcly-wh yesl Nth
out doubt. the Persian was tneres
Pretty Peter had returned. He squat
ted In the middle OF the garden and
mewed wistfully.
Out Of his parlor popped Mr.. Had
dock; out OF his stumbled Mr. Aui-
berry.
-Puss. pussl Che. che. che" said Mr..
Haddock. in his most winning tones.
from his side Of the fence.
Poor pussy Pretty Peterl" said Mr.
Mulberry. in seductive but husky
voice.
The Persian looked from one to the
other and remained in the middle OF
the garden.
The tenant OF No. Wellington Ter
race put one leg over the fence. and
his action was Immediately repeated
by the tenant OF No. Z. Each has an
intense ambition 10 have the horror Of
handing over the Persian 70 the fair
widow. They diyed forward. Mr.. Mu,-
berry felt a rush OF triumph through
his being as be secured pretty Peter By
the 'scrun" Of the neck; but stimuli
taneously Mr. Haddock grabbed the
fine bushy TAIL The rudely surprised
creature kicked asd mewed in protest
Let go," exclaimed Mr.. Mulberry.
Mr.. Haddock merely tightened his
grip.
Il got It first, you fooli" muttereo
the former, with a cruel tug.
You didn't. you IDIOT" retorted the
other in passion.
A savage jerk was followed al once
by burst OF loud squalls The French
window flew open. and the two bach
elors, half dazed with the food OF
light stood painting and pale in the
sight OF Mrs. Neville. her mother. and
tall man OF about 40.
"Oh, my Peter. my pretty Peterl" be-
gan the widow. but suddenly choked
and went on In soft peals OF merri-
ment
The Persian kicked himself clear OF
the now uHresisting hands and trotted
TO mis- mistress as II 10 oonhde 70 her a
tale OF the shocking treatment to
which he had just been subjected.
Mrs Neville checked her mirth. bur
only for a moment
"Oh. thank You, thank you she
managed 70 gasp. end then 'relapsed
into laughter once more.
Mr.. HaddOck and Mr.. Mulberry could
bear It no longer They grunted some
thing unintelligible and retired In IN
dignified confusion
Mr.. Haddock left business the fol-
lowing afternoon somewhat earlier
than usual. and instead OF taking on:
his latchkey as he reached No. Wei.
lington Terrace, he took out his hand
kerehief. wiped the perspiratlon from
his brow, passed his own door. and
rang the bell Of No. 8.
The widow received him with
kindliness which was quite unex.
pected.
II called. madam" he said, fum-
bling for nearly every word, TO apolos
gize for-for hurting your cat last
night It-it was all my fault. Your
cat was really found by-by Mr.. George
Mulberry, madam. I-I-I-" Here be
broke down miserably.
Uni" she murmured thourhtfullv
Il should tell you. Mr.. Haddock. mat
I have to-day received a note from Mr.
Mulberry-pray let me 20 on-ln which
he positively informs me that Peter
was found by you"
Mr.. Haddock WAS staggered. AT last
he said. In a feeble voice: "Maaam
that just shows what-what a good fel-
low George Mulberry Is. But-but
don't believe his letter madam. He
I repeat it-found the cat!"
Mrs. Neville was amused, but she
was also touched.
Il am very much Indebted TO Mr.
Mulberry, ! am sure" she remarked.
gravely. And I should be glad II
you would dine with us on Saturday.
Mr.. HaddOck bowed. Il shall be de-
lighted" he said
Il have written to Mr.. Mulberry"
she continued. asking him to Join
u.s."
She accompanied him to the door
and there bade him a gracious good
by.
II was when the second bottle had
just been opened that Mr.. Haddock
said:
George. Mrs. Neville is giving up
No. in a few weeks expect she IA
going 70 marry again"
There seems to be no doubt about
It. She's a fine woman-a fine wo-
man"
"She is. indeed"
For a second their glances met.
Still. never was a marrying man."
remarked the one. examining cork
with interest.
NO more was l." said the other,
toying with saltcellar.
NO. s will be to let again, expect"
ohserved Mr. Mulberry nreeanflv