The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-04-21
A Home
For Harriet.
By FRANK H. WILLIAMS.
Copyrighted, 1909, by Associated
Literary Press.

cat. Roger Webster surveyed hel
quizzically as she lay in the sun on the
boarding house steps.
"Any feline but Harriet" he de
clared, "would at least feel mildly per
turbed at the prospect of losing home
and mistress"
you'd think So wouldn't your" an
swered Bessie Roberts. Bessie was
very pretty and wholly charming, but
at the present time little frown of
anxiety wrinkled her forehead.
II simply don't know what to do
about It," she continued. ",The land
lady says that I've got to get rid of
Harriet, and 1 can't find any other
place so convenient to my work where
can live. I SUPPOSE suppose" she
added wistfully, "that l shouldn't be
way she seems the only link between
today and the other life. With all my
people gone and Harriet some other
place in this big city I'd feel too aw-
fully, miserably lonely"
Roger saw that Bessie was near
tears. "Poor, lonesome kiddie,' he
thought. And, leaning over, he stroked
Harriet very carefully. Harriet arch.
ed her back, purred and rose slowly to
her feet. Then, turning round. she
jumped squarely into Rogers lap.
what sensible cat!" Roger smiled
at the girl You see, she likes me
very much. If only every one-that is,
some one-Iiked me very, very much"
He glanced at the girl slyly. A little
flush had spread over Bessie's face,
and she kept her eyes fixed steadfastly
on the cat.
II only wish they allowed cats IN
| my boarding house," he continued
THAT'S one of the troubles of living in
boarding house-you don't get the
Now, I'll tell you what Well do" he
cried, Jumping to his feet. "We'II take
| Harriet with us and go on tour of
| inspection in this neighborhood. Well
hunt up a nice, quiet street where
there are little cottages instead of big
houses, and when we see a nice,
honey comfortable housewife in one
to keep Harriet for u.s.
"For u.s." queried the girl, with a
little laugh.
Sure" continued Roger, unabashed.
you don't think Harriet belongs to
you alone, do you? think Harriet
would resent any such idea as that.
She likes me too well, and like her
too we'll. No, indeed, have minor.
ity interest in this cat"
The girl laughed and rose to her
feet
"Well, come along" she said IT sup,
pose it's the best think we can do, and
as it's Sunday afternoon we ought to
be able to find lots Of the people
home"
Roger helped the girl down the
steps, and, calling to Harriet. they
walked down the street. HARRIET. big
sleek and black, followed decorously
j rather obscure cross street.
/ Roger happened to be looking back
as they crossed this street and discov.
cred Harriet very sedately ambline
down the little thoroughfare.
''Come here, Harriet" Roger callet
and then whfstled to the eat.
Harriet paid not the slightest atten
ton, but continued her sedate wall
] away from Roger and the girl. Bessie
] called, but even to her Harriet pale
g no attention.
t WELL declarev' cried the girl ii
surprise Harriet has always beer
peculiar. but she has never acted Xix,
this before
Lets follow her and see where sh,
goes" cried Roger. Perhaps she i
. looking for a home or perhaps she ha
a home already picked out"
t "All right" said Bessie.
e They turned back and fastened aft
t er Harriet, who was now about
r fourth of block ahead. The stree
q was a quiet one Neither Roger no
Bessie was familiar with it and ha,
paid but little attention to 1t in prev
y Gus times.
J. Now, however. they glanced curious
IS ly at the small, rather cozy house
is which lined the sides. Although cree
!. ed within recent years, they were a
o most old fashioned by compariso
10 with the big buildings on the more in
= portant streets near by 1t seemed a
II the little street was mere eddy
- the swirling life and progress a
X around it.
Is ooh, I like this streetw cried Bessi
ls at appeals to me, too" declare
D. Roger, with conviction.
'e For several blocks they followe
a Harriet who continued her. stead
p. course. AT last they saw the cat tur
10 into gate in charming stone fenc
:; and they fastened after her.
The fence Enclosed coy little CO
tage, well set back from the sidewal
In the yard were a couple Of trees.
flower bed or two and a delight
path, bordered by low hedge. whie
ran up to the spacious veranda.
= The little home had such piquar
Us happy look that involuntarily BOZ
30 Roger and Bessie smiled as they gazt
lie at 1t.