The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1906-08-24

tnelr par.OrS.
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-surely-why. yes. with
out a doubt, the Persian was there!
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.. Null
berry.
"Puss, puss, Che. che. chez" said Mr..
Haddock. in his most winning tones
from his side of the fence.
Poor pussyi Pretty Peter said Mr..
Mulberry. in a seductive but husky
voice.
The Persian looked from one 20 the
other and remained in the middle OF
the garden.
The tenant OF No. 9 Wellington Ter
race put one leg over the fence. and
his action was Immediately repeated
by the tenant OF No. Z. Each had an
intense ambition 10 have the honor OF
handing over the Persian to the fair
widow. They aived forward. Mr.. Mui-
berry felt a rush OF triumph through
his being as he secured pretty Peter by
the ''scrun" of the neck; but simul-
taneously Mr.. Haddock grabbed the
fine bushy tail. The rudely surprised
creature kicked AID mewed in protest
Let goi' exclaimed Mr.. Mulberry.
M. Haddock merely frightened his
grip.
Il got it first. you fool" mut,oreo
the former. with a cruel tug.
You didn't, you IDIOT" retorted the
other. in a passion.
A savage jerk was followed at once
by a burst of loud squalls. The French
window flew open. and the two bach
elors. half dazed with tho food OF
light, stood painting and pale in the
sight of Mrs. Neville. her mother. and
a tall man OF about 40.
"Oh. my Peter. nly pretty Peter" be-
gan the widow, but suddenly choked
and went of in soft peals OF merri-
ment
The Persian kicked himself clear OF
the now unresisting hands and trolted
70 mis- mistress as Il TO confde 10 ner a
tale of the shocking treatment to
which he had Just been subjected
MIS- Neville checked her mirth. bur
only for a moment.
oh. thank You, thank you," she
managed TO gasp. and then ~relapsed
into laughter once more.
Mr.. Haddock and Mr.. Mulberry cculc
bear II no longer. They grunted some
thing uniltelligible and retired in n
dignifed confusion.
MIR. Paddock left business the fol-
lowing afternoon somewhat earlier
than usual. and instead Of taking gu.
his latchkey as he reached No. Z Wei
lingtcn Terrace. he took out his hand
kerchicf. wiped the Persyiration from
his brow. passed his own door. and
rang the bell Of No. 8.
The widow received him with g
kirdlincSs which was quito unex
pec:od.
Il called. madam" he sail, fun.
go AOA ANAAAL ANElg FOIu. l0 dTNl4O
gize for-for hurting your Get Isxl
night lit was al ny fault. your
a was really found hy--by Mr.. Ceorg,
Mulberry. madam. r. IL" Hero be
broke down miseFab,y.
Uni" she murmured ~thouehtfrHy
Il should tell you. Mr. Haddock. IRA,
I have to-day received a note iron. SIR
Mulbcrry-ptay lci me 20 on-in which
he positively Informs me that Peter
was found by you"
Mr.. Haddcck was staggered. At as
he said. In a feeble voice: "Ma,sam
that just shows what-Shat 4 good fsl
low George Mulberry Is. But-5rt
don't believe his letter. madam lie
/ repeat is-fcund the cat."
Mrs. Neville was amused. ba; SIC
was also touched.
Il am very mnch Indebted TO Mr.
Mulberry. / am sure. she remar ked
gravely. And I should he glad II
you would dine with us on Saturday.
Mr.. lIaddock bowed. Il shall BE- lie
lighted he said.
Il have written TO Mr.. Mulberry
she continued. asking Ism to join
US"
she accompanied him TO the door
and there babe 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. S in a few weeks. | expect she is
going TO marry again"
There seems TO be no doubt about
Il. she's a fine wonan-a fine wo-
man"
"She IS. indeed"
For a second th.ir glsrces met.
"Still. ! never was a marrying man.
remarked the one. examining a cork
with interest.
NO more was l." said the other,
toying with a saltceliar.
NO. S will be 70 let again, | expect"
observed Mr.. Mulberry presently.
1t will. And I've an idea. George"
80 have I. my boy. II has struck
me that | might give up No. 3 and"
I'm seriously thinking of giving up
No. Z and"
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