Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-02-05
A Home
For Harriet.
By FRANK Fl. WILLIAMS.
Copyrighted. 1903. by Associated
Literary Press.


boarding house steps.
ANY feline but Harriet ne do
ciared. would at least feel mildly Der.
turbed at the prospect of losing a 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 a little frown of
anxiety wrinkled her forehead.
Il 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
l can live. l SUPPOSE suppose" she
added wistfully, that 1 shouldn't be
so foolish over HARRIET, but in Some
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 catr' Roger smiled
at the girl "You see, she likes me
very much II only every one-that is,
some one-llked 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 steadfastIy
on the cat
Il 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
real simon pure comforts of home
Now, I'll tell you what Wen do" he
cried. jumping to his feet. well take
Harriet with us and go on tour OF
inspection In this neighborhood. Wen
hunt up a nice. quiet street where
there arc little cottages instead OF big
houses, and when we see nice.
honey comfortable housewife In one
OF the homes We'll go in and ask her
to keep Harriet for u.s."
"For usT' queried the girl. with
little laugh.
sure" continued Roger unabashed.
"You don't think Harriet belongs TO
you alone. do you? I think Harriet
would resent any such idea rs that
She likes me too well. and like her
too well. No, Indeed. | have n minor. |
NY interest In this cat"
The girl laughed and rose to her |
feet
well. come along" she said. II sup |
pose It's the best think we can do. and
rs It's Sunday afternoon we ought 70 |
be able TO find lots OF the people |
home"
Roger helped the ghl down the
steps. and. calling TO Harriet. they |
walked down the street. Harriet. biz |
sleek and black. followed decorously |
enough until they reached n small. |
rather obscure cross street.
Roger happened to be looking back |
as they crossed this street and discov.
cred Harriet very sedately amblinc
down the little thoroughfare.
Come here. Harriet" Roger called |
and then whistled to the cat.
Harriott paid not the slightest ntten.
ton, but continued her sedate walk
away from Roger and the girl. Bessie
called, but even to her Harriet paid
no attention.
well, I deciarev' cried the girl in
surprise. Harriet has always been
peculiar. but she has never acted like
this BEFORE
Let's follow her and see where she
goes, cried Roger. Perhaps she Is
looking Tor home or perhaps she has
home already picked OUT
"All right" said Bessie.
Ihey turned back and FASTENED aft
er Harriet, who was now about n
Fourth OF block ahead. The street
was quiet one. Neither Roger nor
Bessie was familiar with It and had
paid but little attention to 1t I'm prevI-
GUS times.
Now. however. they glanced curious
y at the small, rather coy houses
which lined the sides. Although erect
Cd within recent years. they were nj
most old fashioned by comparison
with the big buildings on the more i'm
portant streets near by. 1t seemed MS
IL the little street was a mere eddy In
the swirling life and progress all
around IT,
"Oh. like this streetr' cried Bessie.
1T appeals TO me, too" declared
Roger. with conviction.
For several blocks they followed
Harriet. who continued her steady
course. At last they saw the cat turn
into gate IN a charming stone fence.
and they hnstened after her.
Inc fence inclosed cozy little cot
tage. well est back from the Sidewalk
In the yard were a couple of trees q
mower bed or two and delightful
path. bordered by low hedge. which
ran up to the spacious veranda.
The little home had such a piouant
happy look that involuntarily botb
Roger and Bessie smiled as they gazed
at It. ]
Then Roger laughed.
Look who's on the verandar' he
cried
Bessie locked closely and gasped
There was Harriet. curled up tightly I
In the blaze OF the sun. as If she had I
been in the habit OF lying there lust i
Ike that day In and day out for wears 6
We'll" cried the girl. Harriet $
seems to be perfectly satisfied with th. :
place. !.
Hes." acknowledged Roger. 'T couId I
De happy, too. In home like this II 7 {
lho tho right person to share It with q
Ne. He looked directly at the girl
sor neeting moment her eyes met !
us and then, startled and with her r
ace nushed. she ran up the path to /