The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-24
The EVENING STORY
Ferguson's Mascot
(By Harriet Lummis Smith,

From the first Ferguson had dis
| liked the pug. The sight of the fat,
wheezy, little animal, following at the
heels of his pretty next door neighbor.
awoke in him an unreasonable desire
to prod that pampered pet with MS
walking stick. All of which goes to
show that first Impressions are not to
be trusted.
Ferguson's interest in the girl next
door was fast approaching the critical
stage. Perhaps the natural attrac-
| ton which beauty holds for youth was
heightened by the fact that the glri
seemed unaware OF his existence. Fer
guson almost resented the blankness
| of her gaze, the Indifferent tilt of her
chin. He had feeling that If she
should look once. she might find it
| worth her while to look again.
The pug took a hand in the game
one delicious spring day. when Fer
guson, who was supposed to be study
| ing law in his room. was in reality
! watching the pink of the peach bios
SONS against the blue Of the sky, and
| feeling in his heart vague exquisite
response to the charm OF the season.
ALI at once the current of his
thoughts was changed by an asthmatfc
barking in his neighbours back yard
A black kitten shot across the grass
to the shelter of the peach tree. The
pug waddled after, and stood guard
l
OF his unusual exertions. Then Fer
guson's pulses thrilled at the sound
| OF girlish voice, raised in reproach-
full summons: Punch. you wretch,
come here this instant
The law books had no chance after
| that Even the peach blossoms be-
came only the setting of the picture.
The black kitten in the branches
howled agonizingly. The pretty girl
below called her in dulcet tones which
would have tempted Ferguson to dare
Iany danger. She brought out a saucer
awaiting. Then suddenly Ferguson
started so violently that the book on
his knee fell with a thud to the floor.
| BY love" exclaimed the young
| man. She's going to climb the tree"
With an instant realization that this
| was his opportunity. Ferguson went
down the stairs in a headlong manner,
| which gave his landlady the impression
that the house was on fire. Explana-
tfons delayed him unwarrantably. and
when he burst out of the door, the kit
| ten was in Miss Morrelrs arms and
Miss Morrell was in the peach tree.
Ferguson hesitated, then advanced,
hating at respectful distance. might
be of assistance?' he asked.
| I'll think you might said the girl
doubtfully. You see it's SO much easier
getting up than getting down. II only
you would take the kitten. think
could manage"
Ferguson climbed up beside her, and
attempted to relieve her Of her charge
But the black kitten had its own opin-
ion regarding the transfer. It strug-
| gied. 1t spit. 1t elevated the hairs
along its spine. It clawed Ferguson's
| an emissary Of the pug dog.
"Oh, dear. now she has scratched
| you!" exclaimed the girl. If she had
been pretty before, she was enhancing
| now, looking at him through the peach
| blossoms.
I'm sure can get down now" said
the girl. and Ferguson set the kitten
on the grass. and politely looked in an
other, direction A long rriinute passed.
Then there was Shrek. and Ferguson
turned to see the lady Of his dreams
clutching an overhanging bough, and
dangling some distance above the
ground.
The young man rushed to her assist
| ance. For heavenly instant he had
her in his arms and then he set her on
| her feet. Her face was as pink as the
| peach blossoms. and her shy eyes found
difficulty in meeting his. But there was
said: II don't know how to thank
| you'll"
Ferguson went home with the feeling
that he was lakdng on air. AS he
| passed the window. he saw the pug
longer seemed sardonic, but rather BEN
/ evolent.
| IT owe you a silver collar for this,
| old boy" Ferguson thought, gratefully.
| For Miss Morrell had given him per
4 mission to call wa
| 1t was some time before 1t was
| necessary for the pug to interfere
again. Without his good offices. the
/ acquaintance progressed rapidly. Miss
! find a dark. well dressed young man
| sitting on the hammock beside her, or
4 occupying one of the rustic chairs on
the porch, or smoking in the library
with the air of one who feels at home.
Most of them took the hint. There was
one exception. however. an obtrusive
young fellow. Randall by name, who
4 continued his visits, though Ferguson
i did his best to make 1t clear that they
could be quite content without him.
i Unfortunately. Miss Morrell did not
second these efforts as she might
her persistent caller with a considera-
| ton which Ferguson thought dis
| tinctly unnecessary. When he came
| one night prepared to take her driv-
| ing, and found she had gone boat
! ing with Randall. he gave a harsher
that night, and when he presented
himself next morning he was in the
worse Of humors.
Had Miss Morrell been conciliatory,
| ali might nave Depn we'll But instead
she wore an air Of studied indfffer--
ence, and when she did not resent his
reproaches she laughed at him. Ac-
cordfngly, in fifteen minutes the in
terview terminated abruptly.
I'm that case" said Ferguson, ris-
| ing to his feet. "the best thing for me
to do is to take my hat and go home"
| And Miss Morrel1 replied: 1T quite
agree with you"
Only one thing interfered with
carrying out this programme i'm
mediately. Ferguson could not And
his hat. GOOD evening" said Miss
| Morrell, in the background, as IL
weary Of waiting for him to take the
| initiative.