The Democratic advocate., 1909-05-07
Ole Bachelor
and theC Cat.
81 STUART B. STONE.
copyrighted, 1909, By Associated
Literary Press.


ut Is the prettiest bit Of sentiment
There's the quaintest pair Of lovers,
and they go through fire. water, perse-
oufion and plague. but It works out
beautifully p the end"
Thereupon bashful Captain Grant,
at the head Of the table. snifred polite
disapproval
The CHEEKY young bank clerk who
sat next to the hazel eyed girl told Of
the best selling" romance he was
reading. It was 'srhe Loves Of Lady
PeriIla," and Captain Grant frowned
at tho title.
Then the young man leaned over
and talked In low tones to the fluffy
haired girl. The girl coiored IN deli
cious bewilderment. The young mans
merry eyes sobered, and Mrs Ogden
Garter winked at Mrs. Newman Ap-
pleby across the table. Captain Grant
gaw the byplay Of hearts and growied
into his plate Of Boston beans After
that, In faint sweet cloud Of hello
trope. the lilac lady entered.
She was In the early fhirties, rather
tall and thin. with wreath OF glossy
black hair and big, gray eyes scatter
ing sympathy. Touches Of lilac here
and there relieved the black
The boarders k'sized up'' the new
cornerstone with a tinge OF envy OF
the splendid. shining hair, others with
listless aconjecture as to whether she
came from Cape Cod or from Kokomo.
But Captain Grant looked covertly at
the lady and sighed so manifestly
from the heart that little ripple OF
amused wonder went around the tn
bles. Blushing yividly. the captain
arose and strutted hurricdly out.
The captain held little part In the
babble OF the table, but next day he
spoke to Miss Inola Marshall, the new
boarder, regarding the probability OF
rain. The lilac lady smiled charming
~, admitting the shrewdness Of the
forecast From one labored confidence
in day this man, who had shifted at
the prospect Of young hearts confiding,
attained to a running comment OF an
ecdote and observation.
Miss Inola was gracious; so, after a
bit, noticing the captain and the lady
deep In discussion, Mrs. Carter smiled
at Mrs Appleby, and the young clerk
had his hazel eyed girl to himself,
with no one to snort because they
talked I'm the low, earnest tones Of
lovers
Things went thus beautifully until
the coming OF Zenobla. Zenobia was
plump and sleek and sandy and white
streaked. like faded tigress, She
was endowed with a cavernous yawn
and a lulling. musical pur, and she
had way Of curling up on the pre-
cious skirts Of women 10 dream fitfui
things Of the chase of the hard pressed
mouse.
The giantess Of cat was as pic
ture Of gold to Miss Inoln, but the cap
tain detested all Of her kind. When
Zenobia crept softly to the dining
room and some unseeing barbarian
stepped on her ringsd tail. so that she
squalied in despair. II was a question
whether the captain did not chuclkIe
grimly.
Miss Inola. loving Zenobia dearly,
could not help but hold II against him
In her heart Finally Zenobla. signing
for sympathy. thrust her plump sides
against the trousers leg of the captain.
leaving soft, yellow hairs for remem-
brance. II affected him like the clam.
my contact Of serpent
What do You see In that catT be
demanded
''More than see In you" Miss InoIa
hared back.
That settled II. The captain retired
to his den and tried yainly to interest
himself In three volumes Of the his
tory Of the Sudan, and Miss 1noIa,
petting and pampering the giantess
Zenobia, almost wished that she might
die. For O month Mrs. Carter and
Mrs. Appleby had only the young bank
clerk and the hazel eyed girl for wink
ing and smiling exchange.
The last night in the month the cap
tain lounged dlsconsolately in his
smoking gown, dividing his time be-
tween a dissertation on Moroccan
bandits and the perversities Of women
IN lilac.
'The Moorish bandit is gruff, grim
and Injured to hardship" read the cap
tain and nodded, knowing they were
miles and miles away.
"Shs is the only woman ! could ever
care straw for" murmurcd the cap
tain. alert and signing, for Madam Of
the Lilacs was only across the narrow
hall.
A full fed, lazy cat purred In the
corridor, descended the steps and
yowled for companionship In the yard
below. The captain shut his mouth
tight and went back to learn Of the
banditti. The Dutch windmill Of a
clock chimed 0. The cry was repeated
nearer.
rFire! Firew
The captain bounded to the door, ar
rayed like raJah for glory. Miss
Inola almost telescoped him.
Where Is it2" she demanded.
The window disclosed fierce blaze
quite near. THE Golden Rule ware
house." answered the captain, and they
both descen5ed hurriedly.
A crowd had gathered, shouting, ges.
ticulating, yet not venturing near the
burning warehouse.
"Why don't they put it outY' asked
Captain Grant.
Powder stored there barrels and
barrels OF It" volunteered some one.
Mrs. ApDleby approached Miss Inola.
@Your cat zenobia Just went In there"
Miss Inola moaned Poor little Ze-
nobial She'll be blown into the moonl"
Captain Grant started To sneak ana